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The TEF IRN is evolving: what you need to know!

Monday 17 March 2025

This development makes it possible to anticipate the new French language proficiency requirements set out by the French government following the promulgation of law no. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, which aims to ensure more effective integration of foreign nationals through the language.

What changes are in store? How can we prepare for these changes?

In this article, we provide all information on the changes in the TEF IRN and how to better prepare for April 1, 2025.

What is the TEF IRN test?

The TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN) test is for any foreign nationals over the age of 16 who wish to:

assess their level of French as part of the OFII citizenship program (A1 level required);
certify their level of French for an application for a long-term Resident’s Permit (A2 level required);
certify their level of French to apply for French nationality (B1 level required);
certify their level of French to work in the private security sector (B1 level required).

The use of these results is not appropriate to demonstrate language skills suitable for pursuing higher education.

Increased language standards required: what will change?

The French Ministry intends to raise language requirements, with an implementation of the law scheduled for January 1, 2026 as the deadline.

Application	Current required level	Required level under the new law
Multi-annual Residence Permit	–	A2
Long-term Residence Permit	A2	B1
French naturalization	B1	B2

What are the changes for each test?

Following the evolution of the TEF IRN, the total duration of the test will be 1h30 instead of 1h20. Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming changes.

Reading comprehension

The test will consist of 20 questions and will last 30 minutes.

The test will consist of 2 parts:
Part 1: 10 questions of different levels (15 minutes)
Part 2: 10 questions adapted to your level (15 minutes)

What’s changed: the format and number of questions.
What’s new: you’ll have to read more documents from real-life situations, including administrative documents.

Listening comprehension

The test will consist of 20 questions and will last 20 minutes.

The test will be divided into 2 parts:
Part 1: 10 questions of varying levels (10 minutes)
Part 2: 10 questions adapted to your level (10 minutes)

What’s changed: the format and the number of questions.
What’s new: you’ll hear more audio from everyday life, such as answering machine messages, announcements, on-the-street interview clips and interviews.

Oral expression

The test will consist of 2 sections and will be held for 10 minutes.

For each section, the examiner will read out the topic to you.

Section A : A telephonic conversation with a friend to obtain information (5 minutes)
Section B: Helping a friend to make a decision (5 minutes)

What’s changed: Sections A and B are interchanged.

Written expression

The test will consist of 2 sections and will be held over a 30-minute period.

Section A: Write a message to a friend inquiring about him (10 minutes – 40 words)
Section B: An essay to convince someone about your motivations (20 minutes – 100 words)

What’s changed: the number of words for Section B.