Find your French level in under 5 minutes.
A short AI-graded speaking prompt assigns your CEFR band (A1 → C2) and maps it to the CLB / NCLC scale used for TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Use it to plan how many weeks of preparation you actually need before booking the real exam.
CEFR ↔ CLB / NCLC equivalence
| CEFR | CLB / NCLC | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | CLB 1–2 | Can introduce yourself, ask simple questions, understand basic phrases when spoken slowly. |
| A2 | CLB 3–4 | Can describe daily life, talk about past events, fill in forms, understand short messages. |
| B1 | CLB 5–6 | Can hold real conversations, write short essays, handle most everyday situations in French. |
| B2 | CLB 7–8 | Express Entry territory. Can argue a point clearly, understand complex texts, and adapt register. |
| C1 | CLB 9–10 | Near-fluent. Subtle nuances, idiomatic expressions, and complex argumentation come naturally. |
| C2 | CLB 11–12 | Effectively native — can grasp virtually everything you read or hear in French. |
Express Entry awards CRS points to French scores at CLB 7 / NCLC 7 (CEFR B2) and above. CLB 9+ unlocks the maximum French-language CRS bonus.
What your placement unlocks
Personalised prep track
Language-partner matching
Realistic timeline estimate
After placement, what next?
Placement-test questions
What is CEFR and how does it relate to CLB / NCLC?+
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) is the international standard for measuring language ability — A1 (beginner) through C2 (mastery). CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) is Canada's equivalent: it has 12 levels and maps directly onto CEFR. NCLC is the French-language version of CLB used for TEF Canada and TCF Canada scoring. Express Entry uses CLB / NCLC bands to award CRS points.
How does the placement test actually work?+
You respond to a short speaking prompt in French — typically 1–2 minutes. The AI transcribes your speech, evaluates it across grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, fluency, and coherence, and assigns a CEFR band from A1 to C2. The test is the same evaluation pipeline used to grade your TEF / TCF practice tests; we just calibrate it to a single placement output.
Why does my CEFR level matter for TEF Canada / TCF Canada?+
Express Entry rewards French ability that hits CLB 7 (NCLC 7 / CEFR B2) or higher — up to 74 CRS points for strong French applicants. Knowing your starting level tells you how much preparation you need: a B1 candidate can usually reach B2 with a 6–8 week sprint; an A2 candidate typically needs 3–6 months. Without a placement, most students either over-prepare easy material or hit a wall in their first mock exam.
How accurate is the AI placement?+
It's a calibrated estimate, not a certified result. The placement uses the same scoring criteria a TEF / TCF examiner uses (grammar, vocabulary, coherence, fluency) and is usually within one band of the real exam result for adults speaking spontaneously. It's designed to be useful enough to plan your prep timeline — not a substitute for the official test result.
What does the placement unlock on PrepMyFrench?+
Your CEFR level shapes recommended practice tracks (which roadmap topics to start with, which vocabulary themes to prioritise) and unlocks the language-partner program — partners are matched within one CEFR band of your level so conversations are productive. You can re-take the placement at any time to track progress.
Is this the same as the real TEF / TCF Canada exam?+
No. The official exams are administered by accredited test centres (CCI Paris IDF for TEF, France Éducation International for TCF) and produce a result accepted by IRCC for immigration purposes. The PrepMyFrench placement is an informal AI estimate for prep planning. To submit a score to IRCC you need to take the official test.