Exam preparation
DELF B2, TCF, TEF or DFP: the difference between a diploma and a test, how long results last, format and scoring, then the right exam for French citizenship, a residence card, university, Canada or work.
By Équipe DELF B2 · · 8 min read
Looking for a B2 French exam and torn between the DELF B2, the TCF, the TEF and the DFP? They all measure your level, but they are not interchangeable: some are diplomas valid for life, others are tests valid for two years, and every authority has its own requirements. This guide compares all four and helps you choose the right one for your plans.
This is the first difference to understand. A diploma, like the DELF or the DFP, is pass or fail: you sit one specific level and, if you pass, it stays valid for the rest of your life. A test, like the TCF or the TEF, cannot be failed: it places you on the European framework scale, from A1 to C2, and its certificate is only valid for two years.
In practice, if you need proof of your level once, for one specific application, a test may be enough. If you want a lasting certificate that will serve you for several applications over the years, a diploma is the better investment.
The DELF is an official diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education. According to France Éducation international, it is recognised worldwide and valid for life. The DELF B2 has four papers, each marked out of 25:
You need at least 50 out of 100 and 5 out of 25 in each paper. Our page on the DELF B2 details the format, and our article on what counts as a good DELF B2 score explains the marking. To understand what the level involves, read our guide to the French B2 level.
The TCF tout public is also designed by France Éducation international. It has three compulsory multiple-choice papers: listening, language structures and reading. Writing and speaking are additional papers. The result gives a level on the European framework, and the certificate is valid for two years. You must wait 20 days between two attempts.
There are several versions depending on what it is for: TCF tout public, TCF Canada, TCF Québec and the TCF IRN, for integration, residence and nationality in France. The TCF IRN has four compulsory papers and assesses up to B2.
The TEF is run by Le français des affaires, part of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It also comes in several versions: TEF, TEF Études, TEF Canada, TEF Québec (TEFAQ) and TEF IRN. Results are valid for two years from the test date. Each skill receives a score and a level on the European framework. The TEF IRN goes up to B2: you need at least 400 points in three papers and 367 in the lowest one to reach it.
The DFP Business (DFP Affaires), also awarded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, is a diploma in professional French. It exists at A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1, and it is valid for life. It assesses French in work situations such as meetings, emails and negotiation. It is a good choice if your goal is mainly professional.
| Exam | Type | Validity | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELF B2 | Diploma | For life | Pass or fail, out of 100 |
| TCF | Test | 2 years | Level from A1 to C2 |
| TEF | Test | 2 years | Score and level per skill |
| DFP Business B2 | Diploma | For life | Pass or fail |
The required level is B2, in speaking and writing, according to service-public.fr. France Éducation international states that the DELF B2 allows you to obtain French nationality. A TCF or TEF certificate less than two years old is also accepted. The DELF B2 has one advantage: it never expires, even if your application takes time.
Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year residence permit requires A2, and a first resident card requires B1, with some exceptions. According to service-public.fr, only two tests are recognised, the TCF and the TEF, taken in all four skills on the same day. DELF, DALF, DELF Pro and DFP diplomas at the required level are also accepted. A DELF B2 therefore easily covers both cards.
For the preliminary admission procedure into the first year of a French bachelor's degree, holders of the DELF B2, DALF C1 or DALF C2 are exempt from the language test, as are candidates who passed the TEF, according to France Éducation international. Otherwise, you must take the TCF tout public with the writing paper made compulsory.
For Express Entry, only the TEF Canada and the TCF Canada are accepted by Immigration Canada; the DELF is not. For Canadian citizenship, however, the DELF is accepted from B1 upwards. In Québec, the skilled worker programme accepts the DELF and DALF, as well as the TCF and TEF.
Employers easily recognise the DELF B2, an official and permanent diploma. If your job is strongly business-oriented, the DFP Business B2 also shows professional French. Either way, put the level on your CV: "DELF B2" is understood by every recruiter. In an interview, be ready to show it too: describe your job, explain a problem you solved and give your opinion on a current issue in your field. A diploma opens the door, but your spoken French is what convinces.
If your plans allow it, the DELF B2 is the most versatile B2 French exam. It is valid for life, accepted for citizenship and residence cards, and exempts you from the language test for first-year university entry. You will not have to retake it every two years. Its only weak point is economic immigration to Canada, where the TEF Canada or TCF Canada is compulsory.
On the other hand, the DELF B2 requires you to pass all four papers, with a minimum in each. A test like the TCF always gives a result, even a low one. If you are unsure about your level, our comparison DELF B1 vs B2 helps you choose, and our article on the DELF and DALF levels presents the whole scale.
Before choosing an exam, check that you are aiming at the right level. At B2, according to the European framework, you understand the main ideas of a complex text on a concrete or abstract topic. You interact spontaneously with native speakers, without strain for either side. You can also write a clear, detailed text and defend an opinion, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Ask yourself a few simple questions. Can you follow a TV news programme without subtitles? Can you read an opinion piece and summarise its arguments? Can you write 250 well-argued words in one hour? Can you hold a ten-minute debate without searching for words? If the answer is no to several of these, plan a few months of preparation before you register.
The most reliable check is a French B2 test taken in exam conditions. An online placement test gives you a first idea; a full, timed paper shows you exactly which skills need work.
Whichever exam you choose, the skills tested are the same: understanding, reading, writing and speaking at B2. Start with our free level test to see where you stand. Then practise the DELF format with our DELF B2 tests; the first one is free online and as a PDF with answers.
To organise your work, follow our 8-week study plan and our 15 tips to pass the DELF B2. If your budget is tight, our guide to free DELF B2 preparation gathers the best free resources. When you are ready, our DELF B2 registration guide explains how to find a centre and a date.
The right B2 French exam depends on your goal. For a lasting diploma that works for citizenship, university and work, choose the DELF B2. For an immigration application to Canada, take the TEF Canada or the TCF Canada. For quick, one-off proof, the TCF or TEF will do, as long as you remember they are valid for two years. In every case, check the official requirements before you register, then prepare for the format of your B2 French exam.
It depends on your goal. The DELF B2 is a diploma valid for life, recognised for university and French citizenship. The TCF and TEF are tests valid for two years, often required for immigration, especially to Canada.
Yes. The required level is B2 in speaking and writing, and France Éducation international states that the DELF B2 allows you to obtain French nationality. A TCF or TEF certificate less than two years old is also accepted.
No. For Express Entry, only the TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted. The DELF is, however, accepted for Canadian citizenship from B1 upwards and for Québec's skilled worker programme.
Two years. The DELF and DFP, by contrast, are diplomas valid for life.
No. Since 1 January 2026, a first resident card requires B1 and a first multi-year residence permit requires A2. B2 is required for naturalisation.
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