The key ideaOne month is enough if every week has a single job. What costs points is not a lack of time: it is revising everything at once.
Week 1 (D-30 to D-24): find out where you stand
Start with one full, timed set of each comprehension test: 39 questions in 35 minutes for listening, 39 questions in 60 minutes for reading. Do not revise beforehand. The aim is to measure, not to succeed.
Add one writing combination and one speaking combination. By the end of the week you should be able to name the test that costs you the most points and the level where your answers start going wrong.
- 1 listening set and 1 reading set, under test conditions
- 1 corrected writing combination
- 1 speaking combination
- One written finding: my priority test is…
Week 2 (D-23 to D-17): build volume
This week the format has to become familiar. Chain sets on your priority test, then review every mistake before starting the next set: an uncorrected set teaches you nothing.
Sort your mistakes by type rather than by question number: a misunderstood announcement, an opinion question, a long document. Three or four families of mistakes usually explain most of the points lost.
Week 3 (D-16 to D-10): simulate the whole test
TCF Canada lasts 2 hours 47 minutes. Third-hour fatigue is not something to discover on test day: do at least one full simulation of all four tests, back to back, without a long break.
In writing, keep to 60 minutes for the three tasks and to each task’s word count. In speaking, record yourself and listen back: it is uncomfortable and very effective.
Week 4 (D-9 to D-1): learn nothing new
The last week is for consolidation. Redo the sets where you lost the most points, reread your writing feedback and rehearse your introduction for the first speaking task.
For the last three days, lighten the load: one short set a day is enough. Prepare the documents your centre asks for, check the route and go to bed early.
Checklist
- I have set my test date and worked out my countdown.
- I know my priority test after the first week.
- I correct every set before starting the next one.
- I have done at least one full simulation of all four tests.
- I learn nothing new during the last five days.
