Disclosure: this guide is published by TCFCAD, one of the platforms mentioned. Facts about other platforms come from their own public pages, checked in late September 2026, with links so you can verify.
What does the TCF Canada test?
The TCF Canada has four sections, all taken on the same day. There is no pass or fail: each section gives you a level on the NCLC (CLB) scale, and your immigration program sets the threshold, usually NCLC 7 for Express Entry.
| Section | Format | Duration | Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 multiple-choice questions, audio played once | 35 min | 100 to 699 |
| Reading | 39 multiple-choice questions | 60 min | 100 to 699 |
| Writing | 3 tasks (60 to 120, 120 to 150, 120 to 180 words) | 60 min | 0 to 20 |
| Speaking | 3 tasks with an examiner | 12 min | 0 to 20 |
See the full TCF Canada score chart to know your target in each section.
Step-by-step: how to prepare for the TCF Canada
- Measure your level. Take a free mock test in listening and reading to see where you stand on the NCLC scale.
- Read the official rules. The candidate handbook from France Éducation international describes each section, task and assessment criterion.
- Start with your weakest section. Your profile is worth your weakest skill, never the average.
- Practise every day in timed conditions. 39 questions, real timing, audio played once.
- Get your writing and speaking corrected. Use a teacher or an AI corrector that scores you on the official criteria. This is the hardest part to train alone.
- Finish with full mock exams. Two or three complete runs in the last weeks show whether you are ready.
How long should you study for the TCF Canada?
It depends on your starting level. If you are already close to B2, about 30 days of daily practice is enough to master the format and timing. To move up a full level, plan on 2 to 3 months or more. One hour a day works better than seven hours once a week. For a detailed schedule, see the 3-month study plan or the 6-month plan.
Online courses and platforms for the TCF Canada, compared
There is no single best course. Choose on objective criteria: official format, volume of practice, explained corrections, correction of writing and speaking, a free trial and transparent pricing.
| Option | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| TCFCAD | 40 listening and 40 reading series in the official format, AI correction of writing and speaking, free mock exam and 3 free series per section | One-time payment: US$9.99 (7 days), US$24.99 (1 month), US$39.99 (2 months), US$149.99 (12 months) |
| TCFPrep.ca | Listening and reading tests, large banks of speaking and writing topics | $24.99 (15 days) to $59.99 (2 months) |
| Mocko | Full-length mock tests for several exams (TCF, TEF, CELPIP) | CA$39.99 per month |
| TV5Monde | More than 600 free questions designed with France Éducation international, website and app | Free |
| France Éducation international | Official format, rules and candidate handbook | Free |
Each option is described in more detail, with links, in our comparison of TCF Canada preparation websites.
Private tutors for the TCF Canada
A tutor is most useful for writing and speaking, where you need someone to correct your own production. TCFCAD's Pro packages include one-to-one live lessons by video call, at times agreed with you and in your time zone:
- Bronze Pro: US$179.99, 15 days of access, 4 individual sessions.
- Argent Pro: US$299.99, 30 days, 7 sessions.
- Or Pro: US$399.99, 2 months, 10 sessions.
To try before committing, a single speaking mock exam with a teacher costs US$15 for 20 minutes, debrief included. See plans and prices.
Apps to prepare for the TCF Canada
You do not need a dedicated app. TV5Monde offers its free TCF practice on the web and in a mobile app. TCFCAD runs directly in your phone's browser with no installation: timed series, listening audio, and AI correctors for writing and speaking, with the same account on all your devices.
Study guides and official materials
Start with the official, free document: the TCF Canada candidate handbook from France Éducation international, the body that designs the exam. It describes the sections, their duration, the writing and speaking tasks and the assessment criteria. Find it from the official TCF Canada page.
Be careful with "TCF Canada PDF" packs shared on Telegram or WhatsApp: many are pirated copies or invented questions. Before buying any book, check that it follows the current format (39 questions in listening and reading, 3 writing tasks, 3 speaking tasks). For worked examples, see our writing tips and speaking tips.
Free resources for TCF Canada preparation
- TCFCAD: a free mock exam (listening and reading, score out of 699 and estimated NCLC level) and the first 3 series of each section, with no account and no card.
- TV5Monde: more than 600 questions designed with France Éducation international.
- RFI Savoirs: short news audio with exercises, to train your ear every day.
- France Éducation international: the official handbook and rules.
Free resources are enough to learn the format. To reach NCLC 7 in writing and speaking, most candidates need correction of their own work.
Online study communities
Candidates enrolled in a TCFCAD plan join a private WhatsApp group. Those who have just taken the exam share the topics that came up, so the next candidates can practise on current themes. Remember that questions are not simply repeated from one session to the next: see are TCF Canada questions repeated?
Booking the exam in Canada: centres and fees
You register directly with an accredited centre, not through a central portal. The list of accredited centres is on the France Éducation international website. Each centre sets its own fee: in Montreal, the centres that publish their prices charge about CA$392 to CA$400. Sessions fill up, so book early and check that your result will still be valid (2 years) when you submit your application.
Step-by-step booking, with prices and result times by centre: how to book the TCF Canada exam.
Local guides (in French): Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Concordia University, Montreal, Collège Stanislas, Quebec City.
Section-by-section strategies
- Listening tips: audio is played once, so read the question before the audio starts.
- Reading tips: 39 questions in 60 minutes, so manage your time on the long texts at the end.
- Writing tips and common writing mistakes.
- Speaking tips: the 3 tasks last 12 minutes in total.
Not sure you are ready? Use the self-assessment.
