TCF IRN practice: where does your French stand?
The TCF IRN (intégration, résidence et nationalité) is a French test used in applications for French residence cards and nationality. Start with a free 5-minute estimate of your level and how far it is from your goal.
SparkAI is an independent preparation tool. It is not the official exam, and it is not affiliated with France Éducation International, the CCI Paris Île-de-France, IRCC or any government. Only the official test gives a result you can use in an application.
What the TCF IRN is used for
The level you need depends on the application (Service-Public.fr):
- A2 for a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle): see A2 French for the titre de séjour.
- B1 for a first resident card, for the cards concerned: see B1 French for the carte de résident.
- B2, spoken and written, for naturalisation: see B2 French for naturalisation.
What the test covers
According to France Éducation International's candidate manual, the TCF IRN has four compulsory parts and lasts 1 hour 35 minutes in all:
| Part | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 25 multiple-choice questions | 20 min |
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 25 multiple-choice questions | 35 min |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 3 short tasks | 30 min |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 3 tasks, face to face with an examiner | 10 min |
Your attestation gives a level for each part and says which overall levels you reached, from A1 to B2 (the test doesn't go higher). It is valid for 2 years. For fees, dates and test centres, see France Éducation International's page or an approved centre.
How to use the estimate
The estimate asks up to 20 French questions, starting at A1 and getting harder while you keep answering correctly. At the end you get an estimated level and how far it is from the level your goal asks for. It checks grammar and reading only, so treat it as a starting point, not a result.
Official sources
- Service-Public.fr: Carte de résident et carte de séjour pluriannuelle : comment justifier de votre connaissance du français ? (page checked by its publisher: 10 February 2026)
- Service-Public.fr: Naturalisation, déclaration de nationalité : comment justifier de votre connaissance du français ? (page checked by its publisher: 1 January 2026)
- France Éducation International: Manuel du candidat au TCF (TCF IRN section) (page checked by its publisher: version M, May 2025)
Rules change: always confirm on the official page before you book a test or apply.
Questions
Is this the official TCF IRN?
No. SparkAI is an independent preparation tool. The TCF IRN is run by France Éducation International in approved test centres, and only its attestation can be used in an application.
Which level do I need?
It depends on what you're applying for. According to Service-Public.fr: A2 for a first multi-year residence card, B1 for a first resident card (for the cards concerned), and B2, spoken and written, for naturalisation.
Can I use the TEF instead of the TCF?
Service-Public.fr lists both the TCF (France Éducation International) and the TEF (CCI Paris Île-de-France) among the accepted language certifications, along with some diplomas.
How long is a TCF attestation accepted?
For these applications, Service-Public.fr says a TCF or TEF attestation must be less than 2 years old, and France Éducation International issues TCF IRN attestations valid for 2 years.
Will the estimate tell me my TCF score?
No. It gives an estimated CEFR level from grammar and reading questions, and how far that is from your goal. It doesn't produce a TCF score or predict a result.
Where are you now?
A free estimate of your French level and how far it is from your goal. About 5 minutes, no sign-up.
Estimate your level