In short: TCF IRN results arrive within 15 working days from when France Éducation international (FEI) receives the test material. You find them in your TCF-Candidat online account, as a PDF certificate (attestation). This certificate is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued.
Have you taken the TCF IRN, or are you taking it soon? You want to know when you will get your results, what the certificate says and how long it stays valid. Here are the answers, with the official sources.
Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. We do not have access to your results.
Results in one table
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How long does it take? | Within 15 working days, from when FEI receives the test material | FEI TCF IRN page |
| Where can I see them? | In your TCF-Candidat online account | FEI TCF IRN page |
| In what form? | A PDF certificate with a QR code | FEI results page |
| How long is it valid? | 2 years, from the date the results are issued | FEI TCF IRN page, orders of 22/12/2025 |
| Can I ask for re-marking? | No: suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026 | FEI TCF IRN page |
| Can I take the test again? | Yes, after 20 days | FEI TCF IRN page |
When do you get your results?
France Éducation international gives a waiting time of 15 working days. Working days are business days: usually Monday to Friday, not counting public holidays.
Be careful: this waiting time starts when FEI receives the test material, not on the day of your test. The centre must first send the papers and recordings. So the real time between your test and your results also depends on your centre.
Our advice: when you register, ask the centre when it sends the material. If your appointment at the prefecture (préfecture) is soon, allow plenty of time.
You may have read « 10 days » elsewhere. That waiting time only applies to another TCF (multiple-choice questions only, on a computer). It does not apply to the TCF IRN, which also includes writing and speaking.
Where do you find your results?
Your results are published in your TCF-Candidat online account. You download your certificate there as a PDF file.
The certificate has a QR code. It is used to check that the certificate is genuine. So prefectures and the citizenship service can check your document.
An important point: a photo of you is taken on test day. Without this photo, the certificate cannot be issued.
What does the certificate say?
The TCF IRN certificate gives four results, one per skill:
| Skill | Type of result | Possible levels |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (compréhension orale) | A score in points | Up to B2 |
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | A score in points | Up to B2 |
| Writing (expression écrite) | A mark out of 20 | Up to C2 |
| Speaking (expression orale) | A mark out of 20 | Up to C2 |
It also contains a table that says whether the overall levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 are « atteints » (reached) or « non atteints » (not reached). This is the table the prefecture looks at first.
Scores in points: an unclear point
For listening and reading, the candidate handbook gives this scale: A1 from 100 to 199 points, A2 from 200 to 299, B1 from 300 to 399, B2 from 400 to 499.
But the sources do not agree on the maximum score. One page of the candidate handbook talks about a score from 100 to 499 points. Another page of the same handbook, and the FEI page on assessment, say « from 100 to 399 ». Since the TCF IRN goes up to B2, a score of 499 seems the most logical. So we write: up to 499 points according to the candidate handbook.
Marks out of 20
For writing and speaking, the handbook gives this scale: A1 = 1 out of 20, A2 = 2 to 5, B1 = 6 to 9, B2 = 10 to 13, C1 = 14 to 17, C2 = 18 to 20.
To find out if your overall level is enough, read our article TCF IRN: how to know if you have level A2, B1 or B2.
What the certificate does not say
FEI does not give:
- the number of correct answers;
- your papers;
- advice on how to improve.
The score is not a simple average. Each question has a weight depending on its difficulty. Only correct answers count: a wrong answer does not take away any points.
There is also no « pass » or « fail » in the TCF. Everything depends on the level required for your application: A2, B1 or B2. See What level of French for your residence card or naturalisation.
How long is the certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for 2 years from the date the results are issued. The end date is written on the certificate.
The orders (arrêtés) of 22 December 2025 set this 2-year period, for residence permits as well as for citizenship. For a citizenship application, service-public.gouv.fr asks for a certificate « issued less than 2 years ago ».
Our advice: write the end date in your diary. If your application takes a long time, check that the certificate is still valid on the day you submit it.
What if you do not reach the level?
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. So you cannot ask for your test to be marked again.
However, you can take the test again, as many times as you want, with 20 days of waiting between two attempts. We explain how to use these 20 days in the article Retaking the TCF IRN after 20 days.
A problem during the test (noise, equipment not working)? You must report it on the same day, at the end of the sections. Once the certificate has been issued, there is no way to appeal.
Before the test: get ready
The waiting time for results and the 20 days between attempts matter for your timeline. It is better to take the test when you are ready.
- Take our free TCF level test: 5 minutes, no account needed.
- Work on the 4 sections with our TCF IRN preparation.
- Choose a plan based on your test date: see the plans and prices (from €24.90, one-time payment, no subscription).
No preparation can guarantee a level. For prices and registration, read TCF IRN prices, dates and centres.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get TCF IRN results?
Within 15 working days, from when France Éducation international receives the test material. The centre must send this material first.
Where can I find my certificate?
In your TCF-Candidat online account. The certificate is a PDF file with a QR code.
When does the 2-year validity start?
From the date the results are issued, not from the day of the test. The end date is written on the certificate.
Can I find out how many correct answers I had?
No. FEI does not give the number of correct answers, your papers or advice on how to improve.
Can I ask for re-marking?
No, not for now. Re-marking of writing and speaking has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026. It is expected to restart in autumn 2027.
Sources
- Waiting time of 15 working days from receipt of the material, TCF-Candidat account, 2-year validity from the date results are issued, re-marking suspended, 20 days between two attempts: France Éducation international, TCF IRN page (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-irn?langue=fr
- Content of the certificate, QR code: France Éducation international, understanding my TCF results (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/comprendre-mes-resultats-au-tcf?langue=fr
- Compulsory photo, complaint on the same day, validity: France Éducation international, candidate rights and duties (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/droits-devoirs-candidat-tcf?langue=fr
- Scoring by difficulty, only correct answers counted, score « from 100 to 399 »: France Éducation international, assessment of the sections (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/evaluation-epreuves-tcf?langue=fr
- Score and mark scales, score up to 499, content of the certificate, what FEI does not share: TCF candidate handbook (Manuel du candidat TCF), France Éducation international, September 2026 version, p. 21 to 27 (PDF document)
- 2-year validity: orders of 22 December 2025, residence permits (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164506 and citizenship (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053164463
- Certificate issued less than 2 years ago (citizenship): service-public.gouv.fr, page F11926 (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11926