A Study Plan for the TEF and TCF Canada
Most candidates have a date in mind before they have a plan. This guide gives you a realistic plan for 30, 60 or 90 days, built around one principle: find your weakest skill early, and give it most of your time.
In this guide
- First, be realistic about the time you need
- Step 1: take a diagnostic test (every plan starts here)
- The 30-day plan: exam technique and your weakest skill
- The 60-day plan: build, then practise
- The 90-day plan: language first, then the exam
- A daily routine that works (about 90 minutes)
- The habits that make the difference
- Which test should you take?
- Frequently asked questions
First, be realistic about the time you need
How long you need depends on where you start. As a rough guide:
| Your level today | Realistic time to aim for NCLC 7 |
|---|---|
| Already around NCLC 7 in a mock test | 30 days of exam practice |
| Around NCLC 6, or strong in some skills only | 60 days |
| Around NCLC 5, or out of practice | 90 days or more |
| Lower | Build your French first; exam technique alone will not be enough |
These are estimates, not promises. Your daily study time matters as much as the number of days: the plans below assume about 1 to 2 hours a day.
Step 1: take a diagnostic test (every plan starts here)
Before you study anything, take a full practice test in exam conditions, with a timer. Then convert each skill to an NCLC level with our TEF or TCF score guides.
Write down:
- your level in each skill;
- your weakest skill: this is where most of your time will go;
- three recurring errors (for example: past tenses, short speaking answers, running out of time in reading).
The 30-day plan: exam technique and your weakest skill
For candidates already close to the target.
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic test. Learn the exact format and timing of every task. |
| 2 | Weakest skill every day. One timed writing task and one speaking task a day. |
| 3 | Timed listening and reading sets. Second mock test mid-week. |
| 4 | Final mock test early in the week, then light review, rest and logistics. |
The 60-day plan: build, then practise
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic test and format of every task |
| 2–3 | Grammar foundations: past tenses, subjunctive, connectors, pronouns |
| 4–5 | Productive skills: one writing task and one speaking task every day, using a method for each |
| 6 | Receptive skills: daily timed listening and reading |
| 7 | Two full mock tests; correct them with a checklist of your errors |
| 8 | Weakest skill only; final review; rest before the test |
The 90-day plan: language first, then the exam
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Language foundations: daily listening and reading, core grammar, vocabulary by theme (work, housing, health, environment, technology) |
| Month 2 | Exam methods: every writing and speaking task with a clear structure; timed sets for listening and reading |
| Month 3 | Exam conditions: one mock test a week, error review, weakest skill every day, rest in the last days |
A daily routine that works (about 90 minutes)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 20 min | Listening: news or a podcast, then a timed set of questions |
| 20 min | Reading: one article, then questions or a two-sentence summary |
| 25 min | Writing or speaking task (alternate days), timed |
| 15 min | Correct yesterday’s task; add errors to your error log |
| 10 min | Vocabulary and useful phrases for your weakest task |
The habits that make the difference
- Record yourself speaking. Listen back once a week. You will hear the one-sentence answers and the hesitations.
- Keep an error log. Most candidates repeat a small number of errors, and fixing those is often the fastest gain.
- Practise in the real format: timed, and on paper or computer like your test. TCF Canada recordings are played once; TEF Canada recordings may be played once or twice, depending on the instructions. Either way, train yourself to understand a recording after a single listen.
- Do not memorise full answers. Learn methods and phrases you can adapt; recited answers rarely fit the exact task.
- Protect your rest before the test. A tired brain listens badly.
Which test should you take?
If you have not booked yet, compare the formats first. TEF Canada and TCF Canada test the same four skills, but the speaking and writing tasks are different, and many candidates feel more comfortable with one of them. Our TEF vs TCF comparison helps you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach NCLC 7 in one month?
If you are already close, yes: one month of focused exam practice can make the difference. If you are two or more levels below, plan for longer.
How many mock tests should I take?
At least two or three in full exam conditions, spaced out so you have time to correct your errors in between.
Which skill should I start with?
Your weakest one. For many candidates, it is speaking or writing, where a few structural habits and regular feedback can make a visible difference.
Should I take a course?
A course helps with feedback on speaking and writing. If you study alone, record yourself, compare your answers with the official criteria and model answers, and get feedback from a qualified teacher when you can.