The TCF calendar
General TCF is administered on a rolling basis — every metro Alliance Française that hosts TCF typically runs sessions 2–4 times a month. Because it is computer-based rather than paper-based, individual scheduling within a session week is common; you book a specific time slot on your chosen day.
This is a meaningful difference from DELF: with DELF you wait for the 4–6 annual sessions; with TCF you can usually book a slot within 4–8 weeks of deciding to sit. Registration is via the Alliance Française website with real-time availability.
TCF variants — each has its own calendar
| Variant | Purpose | Sessions per month |
|---|---|---|
| General TCF | General proficiency certificate; university admission | 2–4 at each metro |
| TCF Canada | IRCC immigration (Express Entry, provincial nominee) | 2–4 at each metro |
| TCF Québec | Quebec Immigration (Arrima) | 2–3 at each metro |
| TCF DAP | First-year admission to French public universities | 1–2 per year (specific windows) |
| TCF pour la Carte de Résident | 10-year French residency card | On request, less frequent |
| TCF ANF (Naturalisation) | French citizenship application | On request |
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Centres that host TCF
- General TCF + TCF Canada + TCF Québec — every metro Alliance Française: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune.
- TCF DAP — specific windows only, typically Alliance Française Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai.
- Tier-2 centres — often refer TCF candidates to the nearest metro. Check before travelling.
- TCF is not commonly offered at tier-3 centres — plan travel accordingly.
How TCF scheduling works
Registration is fully online via each Alliance Française’s booking portal. You see real-time slot availability for the next 8–12 weeks; pick a date and time, pay, and confirm. There is no session-week deadline as with DELF — slots close only when they are full.
Results are typically issued 2–3 weeks after the exam (much faster than DELF’s 4–6 weeks). This makes TCF the go-to choice for tight-deadline applications; a candidate deciding in January can have results in February.
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Common scheduling mistakes
- Registering for general TCF when Canadian immigration requires TCF Canada. The variants are not interchangeable — IRCC accepts only TCF Canada or TEF Canada for Express Entry.
- Booking a slot before confirming the specific variant’s fee. TCF Canada is more expensive than general TCF.
- Assuming TCF DAP runs monthly. It has specific windows only (typically January–March for university admissions); miss the window and you wait a year.
- Not checking centre availability. Not every metro hosts every TCF variant.
- Booking a TCF Canada slot without registering for the productive sections. If you need Express Entry additional points, you MUST take all 4 sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is general TCF held in India?
2–4 sessions per month at each metro Alliance Française — meaningfully more frequent than DELF’s 4–6 sessions per year. Sessions are computer-based with individual slot booking.
Is TCF DAP the same as general TCF?
No — TCF DAP is a specific variant for first-year French university admission and runs only 1–2 times a year in specific windows (typically January–March). General TCF runs weekly and is not accepted for the DAP admission route.
Can I take TCF at a tier-2 Indian centre?
Not usually — TCF is primarily hosted at metro Alliance Française centres. Tier-2 candidates typically travel to the nearest metro. Check your local Alliance Française for current availability.
How quickly do TCF results arrive?
Typically 2–3 weeks after the exam — faster than DELF (4–6 weeks) or DALF. TCF Canada is often even quicker, 2 weeks, because IRCC applications create demand for fast turnaround.
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