One-shot Attempt: Can You Clear TEF/TCF Canada in 6 Months?

by | Sep 13, 2025 | Blog, How to Learn French, TCF Canada Format & Strategies, TCF Canada Preparation, TEF Canada Format & Strategies, TEF Canada Preparation, TEF/ TCF Canada Preparation

One of the most common questions I get from absolute beginners of French is: “Can I clear TEF or TCF Canada in 6 months?”

Honestly, there’s no one answer. For some students, 6 months is enough. For others, it’s not. It depends on where you’re starting, how consistent you are, and whether you’re preparing smartly or just randomly. Let’s explore the right path for you.

 Where you’re starting from

  • If you’re a complete beginner: For 95% of absolute beginners, 6 months is an extremely ambitious timeline. Most students who start too excitedly thinking they’ll devote 8 to 10 hours a day end up leaving serious loopholes especially in pronunciation and sentence formation. They rush through grammar, ignore pronunciation, and don’t pay attention to details like spelling or gender. And they end up memorising long vocabulary lists which serve for nothing, because they are all out of context, with lack of knowledge of the right sentence formation. The result? They keep repeating the same errors in speaking and writing, and get stuck at B1 for a really long time and keep wondering why they can’t move forward, what’s holding them back.

     

  • If you’re already A2 or B1: For you, 6 months is more realistic. You already have the basics, so now it’s about polishing grammar, building vocabulary, building confidence and ease with the language, and learning to express yourself with fluency and accuracy.

     

  1. What “clearing” really means

Many students confuse “clearing the exam” with “just completing the syllabus in class” or “just appearing for the exam.” But TEF/TCF  Canada is not one such exam. It measures your level in French.

For Canada PR, most people aim for CLB 7 or higher. That usually means:

  • Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing → B2-to C1 level proficiency in all 4 modules

     

  • So if you’re dreaming of maximum CRS points, you need to target strong B2-C1, not just scrape by. And honestly, B2-C1 is not as easy as it is underestimated.

 

  1. Why many get stuck at B1

Let me be honest, most students who don’t progress are not “weak,” they just miss the small details:

  • Poor pronunciation → biggest barrier in speaking, because pronunciation is the FOUNDATION to any language.

     

  • Ignoring gender and number of inanimate nouns. French, just like Hindi or Punjabi, has genders assigned to all non-living things.

     

  • Not making adjective agreements correctly.

     

  • Overusing the same 2 to 3 tenses to stay on the safer side, instead of showing variety, avoiding risk.

     

  • Writing/ Speaking without connectors (like cependant, en revanche, d’une part…).

     

These are exactly the details examiners look for when deciding if you’re B1 or B2.

  1. How to use 6 months wisely Here’s a simple roadmap if you’re preparing seriously:
  • Month 1 to 2:

    • Focus on grammar basics (present, past, future, conditionals).
    • Learn everyday vocabulary (work, family, health, travel, society). 
    • Start listening daily, even 20 minutes of French podcasts or videos.
  • Month 3 to 4:

    • Begin real speaking practice every day (with a partner or preferably a TEF/TCF Canada specialized trainer, not with someone who doesn’t have first-hand experience with at least one of the two exams).
    • Work on writing small texts (emails, descriptions, short arguments).
    • Learn exam-style tasks for speaking and writing.
  • Month 5 to 6:

    • Do mock exams under timed conditions.
    • Get feedback on your mistakes from an expert who knows the TEF/TCF Canada exam inside out.
    • Sharpen your listening and speaking because these will add to your confidence.
  1. So, is it really possible in 6 months?
  • Yes, if you already have some base or if you give it solid hours every single day with the right path. 
  • No, if you’re casual, study only on weekends, or ignore the seemingly little but more important details like pronunciation, grammar agreements, and connectors.

I’ve seen students go from A2 to B2 in 6 months with proper guidance and daily effort. But I’ve also seen beginners struggle even after a year because they left too many gaps in the foundation.

Here’s my advice: Don’t overthink timelines. Start today, stay consistent, and focus on the little details in French. These small things separate B1 from B2.

And remember one thing: learn French for the language itself, not only for the exam. If you enjoy the process, if you study with passion and curiosity, the results will automatically follow, trust me! The exam score and the certificate will just be a natural outcome of your effort.

Need guidance?

If you want a clear step-by-step plan and personal guidance, I train students at LingoRelic Language Academy for TEF and TCF Canada.

WhatsApp: +91-9056131830

Email: lingorelic@gmail.com

Instagram: @lingorelic