In short: you can take the TCF IRN again as many times as you want, with 20 days of waiting between two attempts. Re-marking (recorrection) of writing and speaking has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026 (expected to restart in autumn 2027): so retaking the test is the only solution. Use the 20 days to work on your weakest skill.
You received your results and the level you need is not « atteint » (reached)? It is disappointing, but it is not the end of your plans. Here is what the official rules say, and a simple plan for the next 20 days.
Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. We cannot change a result or register you for the test.
What you need to know in one table
| Question | Official answer |
|---|---|
| Can I take the TCF IRN again? | Yes, as many times as you want |
| How long do I have to wait? | 20 days between two attempts |
| Can I ask for re-marking? | No: suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026 |
| When will re-marking come back? | Expected to restart in autumn 2027 (forecast) |
| Can I challenge the result after the certificate? | No. A problem during the test must be reported on the same day |
| Do I have to pay again? | Yes, it is a new registration with a centre |
« Fail »: this word does not exist in the TCF
In the TCF, there is no « pass » and no « fail ». The test measures your level. What matters is the level required for your application:
- A2 for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle);
- B1 for a first resident card (carte de résident);
- B2 for French citizenship.
Your certificate (attestation) contains a table: each overall level (A1, A2, B1, B2) is « atteint » (reached) or « non atteint » (not reached). If the level you need is « non atteint », you must take the test again. To understand this table, read TCF IRN: how to know if you have level A2, B1 or B2.
Why 20 days, and not 30?
France Éducation international sets a waiting time of 20 days between two attempts at the same version of the test. You will sometimes read « 30 days » on preparation websites: this is wrong.
Be careful, 20 days is a minimum. Your new date also depends on available places at the centres. Each centre sets its own dates, price and format (paper or computer). Look for a session on the official map of centres, and register early. See TCF IRN prices, dates and centres.
Why re-marking is not possible
Re-marking of writing and speaking is suspended from the sessions of 1 September 2026. France Éducation international expects it to restart in autumn 2027. This is a forecast: the date may change.
Before you worry about the quality of the marking, you should know that writing and speaking are already marked twice, by two independent markers. If their marks are very different, a third marking takes place.
France Éducation international also does not give the number of correct answers, your papers, or advice on how to improve. So you must find your weak point yourself.
Find your weakest skill
Look at your 4 results on the certificate:
| Skill | Where to look | Question to ask yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Score in points | Is it below the level you need? |
| Reading | Score in points | Is it below the level you need? |
| Writing | Mark out of 20 | Did you respect the number of words in the 3 tasks? |
| Speaking | Mark out of 20 | Did you speak freely, without reciting? |
Often, a single skill brings down the overall level. The candidate handbook accepts a 4th skill that is a little lower (at the « top » of the level below), but this « top » is not given as a number. The safest option: bring this skill up to the level you need.
Two common causes, easy to avoid
- In writing: a text that is too short or too long, off topic, copied from the question or learned by heart can receive « A1 non atteint » (A1 not reached) for the task. See TCF IRN writing: the mistakes that give « A1 not reached ».
- In speaking: reciting a text learned by heart can give « A1 non atteint ». It is also cheating. See TCF IRN speaking test: 3 tasks with no preparation.
Our 20-day action plan
This plan is an example. Adapt it to your free time. Allow 30 to 45 minutes a day.
| Days | Goal | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Take stock | Read your certificate again. Write down your weakest skill. Register for a new session. |
| Days 2 to 3 | Measure | Take a level test, then a mock exam for the weak skill. |
| Days 4 to 12 | Work on the weak point | 20 to 30 minutes a day on this skill. 10 minutes on another skill, so you do not lose your level. |
| Days 13 to 16 | Review everything | A little of all 4 skills every day. Read the writing and speaking rules again. |
| Days 17 to 18 | Real conditions | A full mock exam, timed, with no break. |
| Days 19 to 20 | Rest | Light revision. Get your documents ready for test day. |
For test day, read our checklist TCF IRN test day: ID documents, photo, banned items.
Our 20-day catch-up path
For these 20 days, our shortest plan is enough: TCF 1 month, at €24.90, one-time payment, no subscription. We call it the « 20-day catch-up path » (parcours rattrapage 20 jours).
What you will find:
- documents to listen to and read, in the TCF IRN format (25 questions per section in mock exams);
- writing topics, corrected by an artificial intelligence in under a minute;
- speaking topics, with voice recording;
- explanations in your language (6 languages);
- timed mock exams.
Focus on your weakest skill. Our correction gives an estimate, not an official mark. No preparation can guarantee a level: what counts is your regular work.
See all the plans and prices and our TCF IRN preparation. Not sure yet? Start with the free TCF level test: 5 minutes, no account needed.
Think about your timeline
If you take the test again, allow for:
- at least 20 days before the new session;
- the test day;
- then up to 15 working days for the results, from when France Éducation international receives the test material.
If your appointment at the prefecture (préfecture) is soon, inform the prefecture or ask for a new appointment. For the waiting time for results, read TCF IRN results: waiting time, certificate and validity.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I take the TCF IRN again?
As many times as you want. You just need to wait 20 days between two attempts.
Can I ask for my writing or speaking to be marked again?
No. Re-marking has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026. It is expected to restart in autumn 2027.
Do I have to take all 4 sections again?
Yes. For residence cards and for citizenship, the 4 sections must be taken on the same day, in a single session.
Can I take the test again at a different centre?
Yes. You are free to choose your centre. Each centre sets its own dates and price.
Is my old certificate still valid?
It remains valid for 2 years from the date the results were issued. But if the level you need is not reached, it is not enough for your application.
What if there was a problem during the test?
You needed to report it on the same day, at the end of the sections. Once the certificate has been issued, there is no way to appeal.
Sources
- Retake as many times as you want, 20 days between two attempts, re-marking suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026 with restart expected in autumn 2027: France Éducation international, TCF IRN page (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-irn?langue=fr
- 20 days, complaint on the same day, no appeal after the certificate: France Éducation international, candidate rights and duties (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/droits-devoirs-candidat-tcf?langue=fr
- Double marking, re-marking suspended for « about 1 year »: France Éducation international, assessment of the sections (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/evaluation-epreuves-tcf?langue=fr
- No pass or fail, overall level, what FEI does not share, 20 days: TCF candidate handbook (Manuel du candidat TCF), France Éducation international, September 2026 version, p. 21 to 27 and p. 41 (PDF document)
- Map of centres: France Éducation international (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/centres-d-examen/carte?type-centre=tcf