Frequently asked questions about the TCF Canada
Answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the TCF Canada?
The Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada is a general French test recognised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration and citizenship applications. It assesses four skills: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral expression and written expression. The whole test is taken in French.
How is the score calculated?
Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension are scored out of 699 points, depending on the difficulty of each question. Written Expression and Oral Expression are marked out of 20. Each result is then converted into an NCLC level.
What is the NCLC?
The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC), the French equivalent of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), range from 1 to 12. IRCC converts each TCF Canada result into an NCLC, skill by skill. Your overall level is that of your weakest skill.
Which NCLC should I aim for?
It depends on your program. NCLC 7 in all four skills is often required for Express Entry (skilled workers), but requirements vary from program to program: always check them on canada.ca.
How long are my results valid?
TCF Canada results are valid for two years from the test date.
Is Palier free?
You can create an account for free: the first three Reading and Listening Comprehension sets, the expression topics and one writing correction are free. Premium offers, from 5 days to 3 months, are shown on the Pricing page.
Are the sets like the real test?
Yes: 39 questions of increasing difficulty, the same duration and the same scoring scale as the exam, with a timer run by our servers. The test screens are in French, as on exam day.
How does “real conditions” mode work in Listening Comprehension?
Each recording plays only once, with no pause, and you move forward without going back, as on exam day. Even reloading the page does not give you another listen.
How is my writing corrected?
An automatic correction marks each task out of 20 on four criteria, explains your mistakes and suggests an improved version, which stays in French. If you use Palier in English, the explanations are in English. It is a guide to help you progress: it does not replace the official mark.
What happens if my connection drops during a set?
Your answers are saved as soon as you give them and sent again automatically when the network comes back. You can resume the set as long as time has not run out.
Can I use Palier on my phone?
Yes, every page is designed for mobile first and stays light for slow connections.
Is my data protected?
We only collect what the service needs. The texts sent for correction contain neither your name nor your email. You can delete your account at any time from the “Security” page.
Where can I take the TCF Canada?
The test is held in centres approved by France Éducation International, in many countries. The list of centres and registration dates are on the France Éducation International website.
How long does it take to prepare?
It depends on your starting level and your target NCLC. Take a first set to find your level: the dashboard then suggests a pace suited to your exam date.
How can I contact you?
Through the form on the Contact page or on WhatsApp. We usually reply within two working days.
How do I pay?
By card (Visa, Mastercard) or by Mobile Money (Orange Money, MTN, Moov, Wave… depending on your country). Prices are shown in the currency of your country of residence; cards are charged in US dollars and, with Mobile Money, the amount in CFA francs is shown before you pay. Each offer has a fixed duration, with no automatic renewal.