Exams and certifications
Version: October 2026
This document is a translation provided for information purposes. In the event of any discrepancy, the French version shall prevail.
Article 1 – Purpose and scope
These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter the “T&Cs”) set out the conditions under which the Alliance Française de Montpellier (hereinafter “the Alliance Française” or “the Centre”) offers and organises language exams as well as the Civic Exam (Examen civique).
They apply to any natural person registering for an exam with the Alliance Française de Montpellier (hereinafter “the candidate”).
The exams offered include:
- the TCF IRN;
- the TCF Tout Public;
- the TCF Canada;
- the TCF Québec;
- the Civic Exam (Examen civique).
Registering for an exam implies full and complete acceptance of these T&Cs.
Exams are organised in accordance with the rules and procedures of the competent certifying bodies, in particular France Éducation international (FEI) for the exams concerned.
Article 2 – Registering for an exam
Registration can be completed online on the Centre’s website or directly at the reception desk of the Alliance Française de Montpellier.
Registration is considered final once the candidate has correctly provided the requested information, paid the exam fees in full and received confirmation of their registration from the Centre.
The candidate is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided at registration and for choosing the exam that matches their needs.
Any error or omission must be reported to the Centre as soon as possible.
Article 3 – Prices and payment
The applicable prices are those indicated at the time of registration.
Full payment is required to finalise the registration.
Article 4 – Choosing the exam
Before registering, the candidate must make sure they choose the exam that matches their needs.
The Alliance Française de Montpellier may provide general information about the exams offered, but cannot guarantee that an exam or a level obtained will be accepted by an administration, a university, an employer or any other third-party body.
The candidate is advised to check beforehand the requirements of the body to which they intend to submit their result.
Any change of exam type after registration has been confirmed is subject to the prior agreement of the Centre and to the certifying body’s rules.
Article 5 – Dates and registration deadlines
Each exam session is organised according to a set timetable.
For each session, a registration deadline is given to the candidate at the time of registration or on the Centre’s website.
The Centre may close registrations before this date once the maximum number of candidates has been reached.
The Centre may also, in exceptional cases, change the dates or times of a session when organisational constraints or constraints imposed by the certifying body so require.
Article 6 – Notice to attend
Once their registration has been confirmed, the candidate receives their notice to attend (convocation) by email approximately one week before the exam date.
The notice to attend specifies the information needed for the exam to run smoothly, in particular the date, time, venue and documents to be presented.
The candidate must check their inbox regularly, including their junk mail (“spam”) folder.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the email address provided at registration is correct.
Article 7 – Postponement
7.1. Request before the registration deadline
The candidate may request the transfer of their registration to another session of the same exam, provided that the request is made before the registration deadline of the session initially chosen.
The request must be made in writing to the Alliance Française de Montpellier.
Postponement is possible subject to availability and to the certifying body’s applicable rules.
When the postponement is accepted, the candidate receives written confirmation of their new registration.
7.2. Request after the registration deadline
After the registration deadline, no postponement is guaranteed.
A request may exceptionally be considered in the event of force majeure or a duly substantiated legitimate reason, subject to the options available at the Centre and to the certifying body’s rules.
Article 8 – Cancellation and refund
8.1. Cancellation before the registration deadline
The candidate may request the cancellation of their registration before the registration deadline of the session concerned.
The request must be made in writing to the Alliance Française de Montpellier.
Subject to the certifying body’s specific rules, the candidate may be entitled to:
- a refund of the exam fees; or
- a transfer to another session, subject to availability.
Refunds are made using the same payment method as the one used at registration, unless this is technically impossible.
8.2. Cancellation after the registration deadline
After the registration deadline, no refund is guaranteed.
A request may exceptionally be considered when a case of force majeure or a legitimate reason prevents the candidate from taking the exam.
The candidate must send a written request accompanied by official and verifiable supporting evidence.
Serious medical, family or administrative events that are unforeseeable and beyond the candidate’s control may, in particular, be taken into account.
The decision is made by the Alliance Française de Montpellier in light of the circumstances, the supporting documents provided and the certifying body’s applicable rules.
Depending on the circumstances, the Centre may offer a refund, a transfer to another session or the retention of the initial registration.
Providing supporting evidence does not automatically entitle the candidate to a refund where the certifying body’s rules do not allow it.
Article 9 – Absence on the exam day
In the event of absence on the exam day, no postponement or refund may be granted, except in the event of duly substantiated force majeure and subject to the certifying body’s rules.
Article 10 – Late arrival
The candidate must arrive at the Centre at the time indicated on their notice to attend.
If late arrival results in the candidate being refused access to the exam, no refund or postponement may be granted, except in a duly substantiated case of force majeure.
Article 11 – Identity document and mandatory documents
The candidate must present the documents requested in their notice to attend, in particular a valid official identity document where required by the certifying body.
Failure to present a mandatory document may result in the candidate being refused participation in the exam, without refund, where this refusal results from the certifying body’s rules.
Article 12 – Exam rules
The candidate undertakes to comply with the instructions of the Centre, the invigilators and the certifying body, as well as with the rules on authorised materials.
The use of any prohibited material, in particular a mobile phone or smartwatch, may result in the candidate’s exclusion.
Article 13 – Fraud and attempted fraud
Any fraud or attempted fraud may result in the candidate’s immediate exclusion and in the penalties provided for by the certifying body’s regulations, including the cancellation of the result.
No refund may be claimed in the event of exclusion resulting from the candidate’s misconduct.
Article 14 – Results and certificates
Results are communicated within the time limits set by the certifying body.
The announced time limits are indicative and may vary depending on the type of exam, the exam format and the certifying body’s processing times.
The Alliance Française de Montpellier cannot be held liable for any delay in the publication or transmission of results attributable to the certifying body.
Attestations or certificates are issued in accordance with the procedures laid down for each exam.
Article 15 – Complaints
Any complaint concerning the registration, invoicing or administrative organisation of an exam must be sent in writing to the Alliance Française de Montpellier as soon as possible.