TEFAQ: the TEF Québec exam, its modules and what Québec asks for

TEFAQ, also called TEF Québec, is a French test run by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Ile-de-France) that Québec’s immigration ministry accepts as proof of French for its immigration programs [1][9]. It has 4 modules, you sit 1 to 4 of them depending on the program, and IRCC does not recognise it for an application to immigrate to Canada [2].

Source: Gouvernement du Québec, “Demonstrate your knowledge of French”, page dated 28 November 2025, and the exam body’s TEF Québec page, which shows no date.

For the federal exam, read the TEF Canada guide. To compare the 3 exams, see TEF Canada vs TEF IRN vs TEFAQ.

What is TEFAQ (TEF Québec)?

TEFAQ, also called TEF Québec, is a French test for people applying to immigrate to Québec. It is run by Le français des affaires, part of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France (the Paris chamber of commerce) [1]. The exam body says Québec’s ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has recognised it since 2006 [1][2].

TEFAQ is one version of the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF). The exam body’s overview lists TEF Études, TEF Canada, TEF Québec and TEF IRN [6]. Québec’s own list gives the full name as “Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec” and names the CCIP-IDF as its provider [9].

What is in the TEFAQ exam, and how do the modules work?

TEFAQ has 4 modules, and each one can be taken on its own. The exam body says you take “1, 2, 3 or 4 tests, depending on the immigration program you are applying for” and that “each test can be taken independently of the others” [2].

All figures in the table come from the exam body [1][2]. Reading, listening and writing are taken on a computer [3]. Speaking is face to face with an examiner and is “systematically recorded to enable double assessment” [3]. No dictionary is allowed, phones must be off, and nobody may leave during the computer-based tests [3].

Which modules you need is set by Québec, not by the exam body. The exam body sends candidates to the MIFI site for the program, the level and the compulsory modules [1].

Is TEF Québec the same as TEF Canada?

No. The modules look the same, but the 2 exams serve different governments, and only one is accepted by both.

The recognition runs one way. The exam body says a TEF Canada certificate under 2 years old is recognised by MIFI for Québec, and that TEFAQ “is not recognized by the IRCC for your application to immigrate to Canada” [2]. IRCC’s Express Entry page lists only TEF Canada and TCF Canada as French tests [12]. On the TCF side, the matching Québec test is covered in TCF Québec.

What French level do Québec’s programs ask for?

Québec states its levels on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français, not on the federal NCLC scale. Each program page carries its own update date, so each line below gives that date.

The PEQ page dated 17 June 2026 says the program reopens from 2 July 2026 to 2 July 2028, with applications received from 2 July to 31 October 2026 [11]. For the spouse, it sets a TEFAQ minimum of “260/699 et plus aux deux épreuves orales” [11].

Three rules from the PSTQ page on knowledge of French apply to any test [9]. Results must be 2 years old or less on the date you apply. The test must be taken at a centre approved by its provider, and only results issued by the provider count. And you must send proof of French “even if French is your mother tongue” [9].

What TEFAQ score matches each Québec level?

Québec publishes one correspondence table, linked from that same PSTQ page and dated 29 November 2024 [9][10]. For TEF and TEFAQ, the same score bands apply to listening, reading, speaking and writing [10].

So the PEQ spouse minimum of 260 sits at the start of level 4 [10][11]. The table pairs levels, so it gives one band for levels 7 and 8 together [10].

Can TEFAQ be used for Canadian citizenship?

IRCC’s own pages differ. The exam body says TEFAQ can be used for a citizenship application, with 2 compulsory modules, listening and speaking, and a minimum of “EQNCF 4” in each [2][6]. Step 2 of IRCC’s citizenship proof pages lists TEF Canada and TCF Canada as the French tests and does not mention TEFAQ [13]. IRCC’s Help Centre answer on third-party tests lists TEFAQ for citizenship, and says IRCC does not accept any other third-party test results [15]. Step 5 also lists TEFAQ, at B1 or higher in listening and speaking [16]. Read all three IRCC pages before you book.

How is TEFAQ scored, and how long are results valid?

Each module is scored on a scale from 0 to 699 [4]. In reading and listening, the number of correct answers is converted into a calibrated score that allows for question difficulty [4]. Writing is marked by 2 independent assessors, and speaking by the examiner plus a second examiner working from the recording [4]. The certificate also shows a CEFR level from A1 to C2, or “<A1” [4].

Timing. The exam body gives 2 timings on 2 pages: 1 to 10 business days from the test [5], and “within approximately 2 weeks” [7]. Plan on the longer one. Results arrive by email, with a link to an online digital safe; no paper certificate is issued [5].

Validity. The TEFAQ pages say the certificate is valid for 2 years from its date of issue [2]. The TEF overview page says 2 years “from the date of the test” [6]. Québec’s own rule is the one that decides: 2 years or less on the date you apply [9][11].

Appeals. An appeal must be made within 30 days of the certificate’s issue date and is considered only for an anomaly or serious malfunction during the test [4].

Five quick questions on TEFAQ, using only what this page has set out.

Common mistakes

• Booking TEFAQ for Express Entry. IRCC does not accept it for a federal immigration application [2][12].
• Sitting all 4 modules when your program needs fewer. TEFAQ is modular, and Québec’s program page sets the modules and levels [1][2].
• Reading Québec levels as NCLC levels. Québec uses its own scale and its own table [8][10].
• Letting results age out. Québec wants them 2 years old or less on the date you apply [9].
• Relying on a guide for program rules, including this one. The Québec pages cited here carry dates from November 2024 to June 2026 [8][9][10][11]. Compare each official page’s date with the date at the top of this one.

Sources