In short: the TCF IRN has 4 compulsory sections (listening, reading, writing, speaking), for 1 h 35 in total. They take place on the same day, in a single session, for the multi-year residence permit, the resident card and citizenship. You take the test on paper or on a computer, depending on the centre.
Not sure where you stand? Check your level for free in 5 minutes, no account needed: take the free TCF level test.
Are you applying for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), a resident card (carte de résident) or French citizenship? You must prove your level of French. The TCF IRN is one of the accepted tests. IRN stands for « Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité » (integration, residence and citizenship). The test is created by France Éducation international.
In this article, we present the 4 sections one by one, with simple tips.
Parcours Civique is an independent practice website. It is not linked to France Éducation international. We do not organise the test.
The TCF IRN at a glance
| Section | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 25 multiple-choice questions | 20 minutes |
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 25 multiple-choice questions | 35 minutes |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 3 tasks (3 texts to write) | 30 minutes |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 3 tasks, face to face with an examiner | 10 minutes |
| Total | 4 compulsory sections | 1 h 35 |
What you need to know:
- The test measures your French from level A1 to level B2. Since 12 May 2025, it can assess you up to B2.
- The format changed in 2025. Before, the test lasted 1 h 15. If a book or a video talks about « 20 questions in 15 minutes » for listening, that is the old format.
- On paper or on a computer, depending on the centre. Each centre chooses its format. Some offer both. Ask the centre before you register. The speaking section always takes place face to face with an examiner.
- The 4 sections take place on the same day, in a single session, at a test centre. This is the rule for all applications: multi-year residence permit, resident card and citizenship (ministerial orders, or arrêtés, of 22 December 2025).
- The test only assesses language. There are no questions about history or culture.
Section 1: listening (compréhension orale)
The format: you listen to audio documents and answer 25 questions in 20 minutes. For each question, there are 4 possible answers. Only one is correct.
You hear it only once: each document is played only once. The question is asked after you listen. The questions go from the easiest to the hardest.
The documents: situations from social life and work. To practise, listen to documents like these: a voicemail message, an announcement in a train station, a dialogue, a radio extract.
Our tips:
- Listen carefully to the whole document. You will hear it only once.
- While you listen, remember the main idea: who is speaking, where, and why.
- Practise numbers: prices, times, dates, phone numbers. They are everywhere in daily life.
- Answer every question. A wrong answer does not take away any points.
- Listen to some French every day: radio, podcasts, the news. Get used to listening without pressing pause.
More on this section: TCF IRN listening comprehension.
Section 2: reading (compréhension écrite)
The format: you read documents and answer 25 questions in 35 minutes. Again, there are 4 possible answers and only one is correct. That is about 1 minute 20 per question, on average.
The documents: texts from everyday life and work. To practise, read documents like these: a text message, a poster, an email, a set of rules, a newspaper article.
Our tips:
- Read the question first, then look for the answer in the text.
- Spot the important words: dates, places, prices, conditions (« sauf » (except), « seulement » (only), « obligatoire » (compulsory)).
- Be careful with answers that repeat a word from the text but say something else.
- Keep some time for the end: the last questions are the hardest.
- Do not leave any box empty. Only correct answers count.
More on this section: TCF IRN reading comprehension.
Section 3: writing (expression écrite)
The format: you write 3 texts in 30 minutes in total.
| Task | What you are asked to do | Number of words |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | Describe (a person, a place, a situation) | 30 to 60 words |
| Task 2 | Talk about everyday activities | 40 to 90 words |
| Task 3 | Give your opinion | 40 to 90 words |
Be careful: a text that is too short or too long, off topic or learned by heart can receive « A1 non atteint » (A1 not reached) for that task. The same applies if you copy the sentences of the question. On paper, write your text in the test booklet: rough notes are not marked.
Our tips:
- Plan your time. You have 30 minutes for 3 texts. Keep 2 or 3 minutes at the end to read your work again.
- Read the instructions carefully. Answer exactly what is asked, and count your words.
- For task 3 (giving your opinion), follow a simple plan: your opinion, two reasons, an example, a closing sentence.
- Use linking words: d’abord, ensuite, par exemple, mais, donc, enfin (first, then, for example, but, so, finally).
- Check the common mistakes: agreements, the passé composé with « être » or « avoir », accents.
- If you take the test on a computer, practise typing on a French keyboard, with accents.
More on this section: TCF IRN writing: word counts and common mistakes.
In our app, you write your texts and an artificial intelligence corrects them in under a minute: estimated level, mistakes explained, improved version. This is practice: your mark on test day may be different. In the real test, the writing is marked twice, at least once by a human.
Section 4: speaking (expression orale)
The format: this is an individual test, face to face with an examiner. It lasts 10 minutes. For the TCF IRN, there is no preparation time. It has 3 tasks:
- An interview (3 minutes): you talk about yourself (your life, your work, your habits, your plans).
- Asking for information (3 minutes 30): you ask questions to get information.
- A point of view (3 minutes 30): you give your opinion on a topic and explain it.
Be careful: do not recite a text learned by heart. The examiner can interrupt you and ask other questions. Reciting can lead to « A1 non atteint » (A1 not reached) and can be treated as cheating.
Our tips:
- Speak in full sentences, even simple ones.
- In task 2, ask polite questions with « vous »: « Pourriez-vous me dire… ? » (Could you tell me…?), « Est-ce que je peux… ? » (Can I…?)
- In task 3, give examples from your own life. It is easier and more natural.
- If you do not understand, it is normal to ask: « Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? » (Could you repeat, please?)
- Record yourself on your phone, then listen. You will hear your mistakes.
More on this section: TCF IRN speaking test: 3 tasks with no preparation.
What result do you get?
You get a result for each of the 4 skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking), on the European language scale (the CEFR, called CECRL in French). The level you need depends on your application: A2, B1 or B2. We explain this in the article What level of French for your residence card or naturalisation.
- Waiting time: results arrive within 15 working days after France Éducation international receives the test material. You find them in your TCF-Candidat online account.
- Validity: the certificate (attestation) is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued.
- No re-marking: re-marking (recorrection) of writing and speaking has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026. It is expected to restart in autumn 2027. If you do not reach the level, you must take the test again.
- Retaking the test: you can take the test again, with 20 days of waiting between two attempts.
For prices, dates and registration, read TCF IRN prices, dates and centres.
How to practise
- Check your level. Our free TCF level test takes 5 minutes, with no account needed.
- Work on all 4 sections, a little every day. Our TCF IRN preparation offers documents to listen to and read, writing topics with corrections, speaking topics and timed mock exams.
- Choose the length of access based on your test date. See the plans and prices.
No preparation can guarantee a level: what counts is your regular work.
Do you also need to take the civic exam (examen civique)? The civic exam + TCF pack brings both preparations together in the same app. See also our guide to the 2026 civic exam (in French).
Frequently asked questions
How long does the TCF IRN last?
1 h 35 in total: 20 minutes of listening, 35 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of writing and 10 minutes of speaking. The 4 sections take place on the same day.
Are the 4 sections compulsory?
Yes. The TCF IRN has 4 compulsory sections: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Is the TCF IRN taken on a computer?
On paper or on a computer, depending on the centre. The speaking section always takes place face to face with an examiner. Ask the centre before you pay.
Can I listen to a document again?
No. Each document is played only once, and the question is asked after you listen.
How many questions are there in the listening and reading sections?
25 questions for listening and 25 questions for reading. Each question has 4 possible answers, and only one is correct.
Does Parcours Civique run the TCF IRN?
No. Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. You take the official test at an approved centre.
Sources
Facts checked on 30/09/2026.
- Format, timing, number of words, speaking with no preparation, one listening only, question after listening, paper or computer depending on the centre, results within 15 working days, 2-year validity, 20 days between two attempts, re-marking suspended: France Éducation international, TCF IRN page (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-irn?langue=fr
- How the test runs, rough notes not marked, « A1 non atteint »: France Éducation international, how the test is conducted (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/deroulement-passation-tcf?langue=fr
- Double marking, only correct answers counted: France Éducation international, assessment of the sections (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/evaluation-epreuves-tcf?langue=fr
- Reciting and cheating: France Éducation international, candidate rights and duties (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/droits-devoirs-candidat-tcf?langue=fr
- Details of tasks and timing: TCF candidate handbook (Manuel du candidat TCF), France Éducation international, September 2026 version, p. 12 and 17 to 22 (PDF document)
- 4 sections, in person, on the same day in a single session, 2-year validity: order of 22 December 2025 (residence permits): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164506 and order of 22 December 2025 (citizenship): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164463 (accessed 30/09/2026)
- Assessment up to B2 since 12 May 2025, change from 1 h 15 to 1 h 35: Alliance Française de Toulouse: https://alliance-toulouse.org/en/new/tcf-irn-2025/ and INFREP: https://www.infrep.org/reforme-tcf-irn-2025-niveau-b2/ (accessed 28/09/2026)
- RS6643 record: France compétences: https://www.francecompetences.fr/recherche/rs/6643/ (note: this record still describes the old format of the listening and reading sections)