TCF vs. DELF: What are the differences and which one to choose?

When you decide to take a French language proficiency exam, you have two major options:

The TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) and the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française).

Both are internationally recognized and designed to evaluate your level of French, but they have key differences in structure, purpose, and the outcomes they provide.

I hope this blog post can help you understand the differences and make your choice!

• Let’s talk about the TCF first:

The TCF is a French proficiency test that assesses the general level of French. It is recognized by French institutions and universities. It is valid for only 2 years.

The test evaluates five skills:

Listening comprehension, Grammar comprehension, and Reading comprehension are compulsory.
Writing and Speaking are optional (but compulsory for most immigration or academic purposes).

The TCF measures proficiency from A1 to C2 (beginner to advanced). However, when you take the TCF, you don’t choose a specific level. The exam will be the same for everybody, and your result can be from A1 to C2 according to your score. So, let’s say you are aiming for B2 but fail, you will still get the B1 level.

The TCF is good for those who need to assess their general language skills, for university admissions or visa applications. It is also a good way to know your level if you are not sure or have never taken any French classes before.

• Let's now talk about the DELF:

The DELF is a diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education that certifies a person’s ability to use the French language in a professional and academic context. Unlike the TCF, the DELF is a diploma, which means that once you pass it, the certification is valid for life.

The DELF consists of four different exams corresponding to levels A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the CEFR. For C1 and C2, we call it the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française).

The DELF evaluates 4 skills, all of them are compulsory:

Listening comprehension, Reading comprehension, Writing, and Speaking.

The DELF is great for those who want to have an official certification of their French proficiency. It is also ideal for educational, professional, or immigration purposes. Taking the DELF is also good if you need something to motivate you and push you to the next level.

Here’s a comparison of the main features of each test:

Which one is easier?

The DELF is generally considered to be more structured and challenging, because it is a complete, official diploma that certifies your language proficiency. The DELF exams focus on real-world communication skills, and you must meet specific criteria at each level (A1, A2, B1, B2) to pass. The speaking, listening, reading, and writing sections in the DELF tend to be more comprehensive and require a solid grasp of both everyday French and academic/professional language.

The TCF is often seen as more flexible and less formal. Since it’s a proficiency test rather than a diploma, it can be perceived as a bit easier in terms of preparation. The TCF’s results don’t require you to meet specific thresholds across all sections to pass, but gives a more general assessment of your abilities.

Which exam should you choose?

Choosing between the TCF and the DELF depends on your profile and objectives.

Choose the TCF if:

- You want a quick and practical test:
The TCF results are valid for only two years, making it a good option if you need to prove your French proficiency for a short-term goal, such as applying for a visa or naturalization.

- You’re focused on general proficiency:
If your primary goal is to assess your overall language abilities without the need for an official diploma, the TCF is a good choice. It doesn’t focus on academic or professional-specific language skills, but rather measures your general communication ability.

- You don’t want to spend too much time on preparation:
The TCF is generally considered easier than the DELF and is less demanding in terms of structure and preparation.

Choose the DELF if:

- You need an official diploma:
The DELF is a diploma that certifies your proficiency in French. If you're looking for a long-term certification for work or study purposes, the DELF is ideal. It’s especially useful if you want a recognized qualification for university applications, work, or immigration processes.

- You want long-term validity:
If you need a lifetime certification, choose the DELF. It doesn’t expire, so you won’t have to retake the exam every few years.

How to prepare?

Both the TCF and DELF need specific preparation before taking the exam. Even if you have completed a full French course, you have to understand how the exam works and how to score the best.

I offer preparation classes for the DELF A2, B1 and B2

The purpose of the training is to make you understand how the exam works as well as practicing for each part and get a feedback and tips to improve from a certified teacher. You can ask questions and communicate with the teacher during the whole training. It is the best option to go to the test with more confidence and chances to succeed.

Two options are possible:

• The whole preparation with online group lessons included to practice for the speaking part as well

• The whole preparation without the online group lessons.

Check this page for more details:

https://frenchwithmarionlim.com/french_exam.html

Do not hesitate to contact me for more information !

Bon courage à tous ceux qui passent des examens!

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