Can I Prepare for the TEF Exam in 3 Months?

Yes, many candidates successfully prepare for the TEF within 3 months with a structured study plan. Focusing on listening, writing, and speaking practice while strengthening grammar and vocabulary can help you reach a competitive score.

How Many Hours Per Day Should I Study for TEF in 3 Months?

Most learners benefit from studying 1–2 hours per day, or 10–14 hours per week. Consistency is more important than intensity, but increasing your study time during the final month can significantly improve results.

What Level of French Do I Need to Pass TEF in 3 Months?

You should ideally start at an A2 or B1 level to reach a strong TEF result within 3 months. Reaching B2 or higher is possible with disciplined practice and targeted skill-building in all exam sections.

Do I Need a Tutor to Prepare for TEF in 3 Months?

A tutor is helpful but not mandatory. Many students succeed with self-study using practice tests, apps, and writing/speaking drills. However, a tutor can speed up progress by correcting mistakes and providing personalized feedback.

How to Prepare For The TEF Exam In 3 Months?

November 22, 202519 MinutesTEF, Articles

Preparing for the TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français) in just three months may sound ambitious, but it’s absolutely achievable if you already have an intermediate level (around B1) and commit to focused, consistent study.

Most candidates aim for B2 or C1, since those levels are needed for Canadian immigration, French universities, or citizenship. But don’t worry, with the right plan and steady effort, you can reach them. This blog gives you a clear 3‑month study plan. Let’s take a look:

How to Prepare For The TEF Exam In Three Months

Month 1 – Build Your Foundations (Weeks 1–4)

The first month is all about getting comfortable with the exam format and strengthening your core skills in grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Think of this as laying the groundwork for everything that comes later.

Your main goal here is to reach a solid B1/B2 level in French while understanding how the exam works inside out. First of all, let’s check out the books you need for the TEF exam Preparation:

Recommended TEF Exam Preparation Books

To support your preparation, these are the most reliable resources:

Réussir le TEF – Livre + CD (Hachette FLE)
Le Nouveau TEF – 4 épreuves (Didier)
Vocabulaire Progressif Avancé + Corrigés
Grammaire Progressive Avancé

Now let’s move to your study routine.

Daily Study Routine

To make progress, divide your time into clear blocks:

Vocabulary & Grammar (1–1.5h/day): Use Vocabulaire Progressif du Français (Intermédiaire & Avancé) and Grammaire Progressive du Français (Avancé).
Listening (45 min/day): Listen to RFI’s Journal en français facile for easy French news. Add podcasts like InnerFrench, Français Authentique, and Coffee Break French to your routine. For current events, watch TV5Monde – 7 jours sur la planète.
Reading (30–45 min/day): Read articles from Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Radio‑Canada. Complement this with prep books like Réussir le TEF (Hachette) and Le TEF (Didier).

Month 2 – Skill‑Specific Training (Weeks 5–8)

Once you’ve built a solid foundation, the next step is to practice exactly as you would in the real exam. This stage is about working through each section under strict time limits, so you become comfortable with the pressure, the pacing, and the types of questions you’ll face.

Here’s how to structure your practice:

Section	Daily Practice	Best Resources & Tips
Compréhension orale (60 Q – 40 min)	2 full sections/day	Réussir le TEF (audio), France24, Radio‑Canada, RTS, YouTube “TEF exercices CO”
Compréhension écrite (50 Q – 60 min)	1–2 full sections/day	Quebec newspapers (La Presse, Journal de Montréal), skimming & scanning techniques
Expression écrite (2 tasks – 60 min)	1 full task every 2 days	Task 1: synthèse (150–200 words). Task 2: opinion letter (200+ words). Use Preply/italki for corrections. Practice connectors like d’ailleurs, en revanche, par conséquent, bien que…
Expression orale (2 tasks – 15 min)	Speak 10–15 min daily	Task A: ask for info (8 min). Task B: opinion & convince (7 min). Record yourself, do exchanges on HelloTalk/Tandem, and work with a TEF tutor 2–3×/week

Also, start practicing the real exam with real mock tests. There are multiple online TEF mock exams available. For example, mocko.ai is a popular choice.

Analyze your scores carefully and identify weak sections, especially anything below 60%. These will become your focus areas.

Phase 3: Month 3 – Full Simulations & Fine‑Tuning (Weeks 9–12)

By the final month, you should already feel confident with the exam format. Now it’s about building stamina, correcting recurring mistakes, and polishing your performance.

Weeks 9–10: Take 2 full-time mock tests per week. Review every mistake in detail.
Week 11: Increase your practice to three full-time mock exams, and use the review sessions to focus only on the mistakes that keep coming up.
Week 12: Keep it light. Do one final full mock 3–4 days before the exam, then rest the day before to stay fresh.

Extra Tips for Fast Progress

There are some small changes in your life that can make a big difference in your TEF exam full-time.

Structured study is essential, but real progress comes when you surround yourself with French in everyday life. Immersion helps you think in the language, not just study it. Here are some practical strategies to speed things up:

Switch your phone settings to French: this forces you to interact with the language daily.
Watch Netflix in French: keep subtitles on at first, then challenge yourself by turning them off after week 6.
Use Anki every day: aim to learn 3,000–4,000 of the most frequent words plus TEF‑specific expressions.
Join TEF Facebook groups: (like TEF Canada Préparation or TEF Québec) to see recent exam questions and tips from other learners.

Final Thoughts

If you stick to this plan and study regularly, three months is usually enough for motivated B1 learners to reach the scores needed for Canadian immigration, French citizenship, or university admission. The most important part is being consistent: study every day, practice smart, and stay confident as you move forward.