About half a year ago, I wrote a post on French proficiency tests, and I summarized the DELF, TCF, and DAPF, but having taken the DELF B1, I think I have a better understanding of the differences between the tests. Let’s first ignore the DAPF as most of us will probably not be applicable to this exam (it’s the French proficiency test given in Japan). The two major ones students will have to pick will be between the TCF (Test de connaissance du français) and the DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française).
The DELF will certify you up to B2 level in the CEFR, and those advanced individuals will take the DALF to certify up to C2. As a guideline, the B2 level is required for French naturalization (I don’t have a reference for this, but this is what my French teacher has told me), and C1 level is required to attend a French university (generally). To show proof of your language capabilities, the TCF or the DELF can be used, but I have noticed that these two exams are fundamentally different.
TCF
There is only one form of this exam for all levels. The exam will test listening, reading, and grammar points to assess one’s level from A1 to C2. A good portion of the test is what I call “typical high school” exam questions. (Technically, there are different TCF exams and optional sections, but here we talk about the minimum general TCF exam). For example, here is a sample question:
Je pense partir à Lyon [avec le, sur, dans le, en] train. For foreigners studying any language, one of the trickiest thing to get used to are prepositions, and the examiners obviously know this. English speakers may be inclined to say “sur” instead, and Japanese speakers may want to say “avec le” through literal translation. Those with some French knowledge will know that the correct answer is “en“.
DELF
This exam is broken into 4 levels (A1, A2, B1, or B2), and one will take an exam that he/she feels suited for that level. So it does mean that even if you get a perfect score on the DELF A2, you don’t get any B1 credit. This exam has a listening, reading, writing, and speaking portion to the test. There are no specific grammar questions or SAT-like probing/tricking questions, the questions are very straight forward, and I feel that they are made properly for the level.
TCF vs DELF
I personally hate the type of questions on the TCF. I know there’s a grammatically correct answer, but seriously, people will understand what you are trying to say even if you use any of the incorrect prepositions in the above example. Now, if you think about the structure of the exam, there is a possibility that it can place you lower or higher than your actual proficiency level (because the test format is multiple choice). Let’s assume that you were able to answer 100% of A1, 90% of A2, 90% of B1, 50% of B2, 50% of C1, and 50% C2 questions. How do they know where to place you? How much of the answers were by luck, and how much of it did the examinee actually know? I would also hate to come out of the exam, feeling discouraged because I couldn’t answer the C2 level questions when I’m at a lower level. How would you feel if you go into take a math aptitude test and you’re asked to solve the roots of a second-order differential equation?
So which test is easier? It depends. Personally, as I dislike the test format of the TCF, and the DELF felt easier for me. However, some may not feel comfortable with writing an essay in French for the DELF. You’d also have to take a speaking test for the DELF, whereas the TCF has that optional. The TCF however costs more (it was $165 vs $115), and it only lasts for 2 years. So, which is better, which is easier? It just depends on what your goals are, what kind of test taker you are, and what you plan to use it for.
The French Turtle Experience 