Free TCF Canada preparation: what is really free in 2026

The format to recreate

Total time: 2 h 47 min. Listening and reading are scored out of 699, speaking and writing out of 20.

Reliable free resources

Be wary of sites that promise the "real questions" of the test: they are what candidates remember, with no guarantee, and a text learned by heart can be marked « A1 non atteint » (below A1).

The score to aim for

NCLC 7 requires 458 points in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and speaking. Your NCLC level is set by your weakest skill: one weak section lowers your whole result. In Express Entry, NCLC 7 in all four skills triggers a 25 or 50 point bonus for French.

What a failed attempt costs

The test costs money: each approved test centre sets its own fee. You can retake the TCF Canada as many times as you like, but with 20 days between two sittings, and re-marking of speaking and writing has been suspended for sessions since September 1, 2026 (expected to resume in fall 2027). A well prepared test saves you fees and weeks of waiting.

A four week practice plan

• Week 1: one full listening and reading set to find your level, and one task of each type in writing.
• Weeks 2 and 3: one timed listening or reading set every other day, reviewing the explanations; one speaking or writing task a day, starting with your weakest.
• Week 4: two full mock tests in real conditions (timed, listening only once).
• Throughout: count your words in writing. Outside the word limits, a task can be marked « A1 non atteint ».
• Without a subscription, rely on the free resources above. For full sets and feedback on your tasks, the 14-day free trial can cover weeks 2 and 3, for example.