TEF

• Minimum age: 16 years
• No previous diploma required
• Candidates must be able to read basic French
• You may retake the test, but a minimum of 20 days must pass between two test dates

• You are responsible for selecting the correct TEF test when registering. The Concordia University Language Test Centre will not be held liable for registrations made in error. 

• All registrations are final and no refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

• Candidates are fully responsible for ensuring that they respect the mandatory 20-day waiting period between two tests. This rule is clearly stated on our website, and registering for a test implies that you have read and accepted these terms and conditions.

• If you register and pay for another test without respecting the 20-day waiting period, no refund, cancellation, or transfer will be granted under any circumstances. Concordia University’s Language Test Centre is not responsible for any failure to comply with these terms and conditions.

Payment policy

• All payments must be made in Canadian dollars (CAD) using a credit card issued in Canada. 

• We cannot accept payments made with foreign credit cards or in other currencies. For example, payments attempted in Mexican pesos (MXN), Qatari riyal (QAR), U.S. dollars (USD), or euros (EUR) will not be processed.

• Any payment not made in Canadian dollars will result in your registration not being confirmed.

• In the event of exemption from one or more tests, candidates will be invoiced only for the tests they take.

• Your exact arrival time will be sent by email two days before your test date.

• You must set aside a full day to take your test.
• Candidates must consent to being recorded during the oral expression test.

Bathroom break policy

Once a test has begun, no breaks are permitted. It is crucial for candidates to use the bathroom before a test begins. Candidates may only leave the examination room in cases of medical emergencies or health conditions that were declared before the start of the test and supported by a valid medical certificate. In such cases, seating will be arranged to allow quick and discreet access to an exit.

As part of your online registration, you must provide a high-quality scan of a valid photo ID and bring the original version of that ID on test day. For TEF Canada tests, the ID you use to register must match the ones used for Canada immigration and citizenship applications.

Accepted forms of ID:

• Passport (must be original, valid, and not expired)

• Canadian citizenship card

• Permanent residency card

• Canadian driver's license

Additional notes

• If your ID does not match the one used during registration, you will not be allowed to take the test or receive a refund. Photocopies, scans, or alternative IDs will not be accepted. For example, if you registered with your passport but arrive with your permanent residency card instead, your ID will be rejected, you will be denied entry, and you will not qualify for a test date transfer or refund. So please make sure you bring the correct photo ID. Any impersonation attempt will be treated as fraud and will result in the registered candidate being barred from taking any future sessions of the TEF.
• Candidates agree to be recorded during the oral expression test.
• On test day, candidates must sign in upon arrival and consent to a photo capture. The collected signature and photo will appear on the candidate’s results certificate.
• Candidates must consent to a potential post-examination verification by the issuing organization, CCI Paris-Île-de-France. 

• Candidates must ensure the accuracy of their personal information, particularly their legal name and date of birth as they appear on their passport, birth certificate and/or other official photo ID. If you entered an incorrect date of birth or name during registration, please let us know immediately.

• If a requested change, such as a name correction due to a change in civil status, reveals that the candidate has taken a TEF test within 20 days of their last test, certification will be voided without any refund. The issuing organization, CCI Paris Île-de-France, will not accept any correction requests made after the test day nor once the certificate has been issued.

Test Day Security and Personal Belongings

• Do not bring any valuable items with you to the test. Concordia University’s Language Test Centre is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.
• All electronic devices and accessories are strictly prohibited. This includes cell phones, smart watches, regular watches, earbuds, AirPods, or any other electronic item.
• If you bring anything to drink, it must be in a clear bottle with no labels.
• Before entering the exam room, all candidates will be scanned with a metal detector.
• If you are wearing a headscarf, your ears and neck will be respectfully inspected by a female staff member.
• If you are wearing a turban, your ears will be respectfully inspected by staff.
• You do not need to bring any stationery or pens; the Language Test Centre will provide these.

Concerns or Complaints

If you have a concern or complaint regarding your test, you must:

1. Fill out the official Complaint on the day of your test and hand it directly to the on-site supervisor 

2. In addition to the form you submitted, send us an official email describing your concern within 2 days of your test date.

Any concerns or complaints submitted after this 2-day deadline — including those made after results have been released — will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Keyboard used for the test

All our computer stations are equipped with a standard French Canadian keyboard. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with this keyboard in advance, especially for typing accents. No other keyboard will be provided.

• Various accommodations are available for candidates with accessibility needs. Requests for specific accommodation must be submitted to the Concordia University Language Test Centre (test.langues@concordia.ca), along with a valid medical certificate, prior to registration.
• The accommodation request can one month to process. Please submit your request in a timely manner.

• All TEF test results are valid for two years.

• Candidates will receive their test results within two weeks of completion. The verification of ID and test documents after a test may delay results in some cases.

• Certificates may not be issued if irregularities are found during the test or the post-test verification process.

• After registering, candidates who wish to receive a paper copy of their test results can request one for an additional $20. The physical copy will be sent via regular mail. Please allow extra time for delivery.

• If your results are unsatisfactory, you can retake the TEF as many times as you wish. However, there is 20-day waiting period between each TEF test attempt.

• Candidates may request a reevaluation of their written and/or oral exams directly to CCI Paris Île-de-France. Click here to request a reevaluation. 

• A 20-day waiting period is required between each TEF test attempt.

• Violating this rule will result in the cancellation of the candidate's registration.

• If you wish to appeal your TEF test result, click here to learn about the process.

No transfers, cancellations, or refunds will be issued if a candidate decides they no longer need the test for any reason, including changes to immigration applications or personal circumstances.

Each candidate is solely responsible for selecting the correct test (e.g. TEF Canada vs. TEF Québec) and the correct components. The Concordia University Language Test Centre will not transfer, cancel, or modify a registration due to candidate error.

Cancellations by the Language Test Centre or CCI Paris Île-de-France

If a test is cancelled due to technical issues caused by CCI Paris Île-de-France or Concordia University, the Language Test Centre will offer a new test date.

If the new proposed date does not suit you, you may receive a refund, and you will be responsible for registering for a brand-new test date. No further transfers, exceptions, or accommodations will be made.

No additional compensation will be provided under any circumstances for travel, accommodation, lost wages, or any other related expenses.

Emergency cancellations

In exceptional cases including serious illness or the death of an immediate family member, candidates may request a cancellation.

1. A valid supporting document (e.g. a doctor’s note issued in Canada or an official death certificate) must be submitted by email as soon as possible.

2. Upon approval, the candidate may receive a refund, subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of $75.

3. Requests submitted without proper documentation or timely notice will not be considered.

• Candidates suspected of cheating, falsifying or disrupting their test will receive notification of a pending investigation. They will have a right to defend themselves and may be represented by legal counsel. If fraud is confirmed, sanctions may include the cancellation of test results and a ban from taking the test for up to two years. Candidates have the right to appeal the decision within two months.