NCLC 7 sits between a strong B1 and B2 on the CEFR scale, so B2 is a safe target. One Alliance Française estimates about 550–600 hours of learning to reach B2 from zero, around 380 for B1 and around 200 for A2. So from B1 you may need up to roughly 170–220 more hours (about 4–5 months at 10 hours a week), and from A2 up to roughly 350–400 (about 8–9 months), but real times vary a lot.
Key takeaways
- NCLC 7 is a strong B1 edging into B2. Aim for B2 and you have a margin.
- One Alliance Française estimate: about 550–600 hours from zero to B2.
- From B1, roughly 170–220 more hours; from A2, roughly 350–400.
- Your weakest skill sets the timeline, because IRCC needs NCLC 7 in all four.
- Book your exam seat early. In busy cities it can take longer than the studying.
On this page
NCLC 7 sits between a strong B1 and B2 on the European (CEFR) scale, so planning for B2 gives you a safe margin. One Alliance Française puts B2 at about 550–600 hours of learning from zero, B1 at about 380 and A2 at about 200. That means up to roughly 170–220 more hours from B1 and 350–400 from A2.
At 10 hours a week, that is about 4–5 months from B1, or 8–9 months from A2. Treat these as rough guides. Your real time depends on your starting point, your study method and your weakest skill.
- ~550–600 h
- Zero to B2 (Alliance Française estimate)
- ~350–400 h
- A2 to B2
- ~170–220 h
- B1 to B2
Where are you starting from?
#You can't plan the time until you know your level. Tick what you can already do in French. It gives a rough CEFR and NCLC estimate in under two minutes.
A practice test is even better. If you have mock scores, the CLB calculator turns them into NCLC levels per skill. For how the scales line up, read CEFR vs NCLC vs CLB. To see what B1, B2 or C1 looks like as a test score, use the CEFR to TEF and TCF converter.
Just starting out? The roadmap from zero French to Canada PR shows every step after this one.
How many hours from each level?
#One note first. A 2019 study for the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks places NCLC 7 at B1+ (a very strong B1) and NCLC 8 at B2. So hours to B2 are a slightly generous target for NCLC 7, which is good for planning.
The Alliance Française di Trieste publishes these cumulative totals: A1 about 60–80 hours, A2 about 200, B1 about 380, B2 about 550–600, C1 about 750–850. We subtracted to get the gap from each level to B2. Alliance Française de Leeds publishes slightly different totals (B1 360–400, B2 560–650). Our study hours calculator uses those, so its results can differ a little.
| Starting level | Hours to B2 | 5 h / week | 10 h / week | 15 h / week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (zero) | ~550–600 | ~2 years | ~13–14 months | ~9 months |
| A1 | ~470–540 | ~22–25 months | ~11–12 months | ~7–8 months |
| A2 | ~350–400 | ~16–18 months | ~8–9 months | ~5.5–6 months |
| B1 | ~170–220 | ~8–10 months | ~4–5 months | ~3 months |
Those hours make more sense once you know what the test asks. See is TEF Canada hard? for an honest look at the difficulty by skill.
What is your personal timeline?
#Pick your level and how many hours a week you can really give. Be honest: 6 hours you actually do beats 15 you plan and skip.
The full French study hours calculator lets you add a target date and see if your plan fits.
Hours cost money too. See what French for Canada PR really costs, from free self-study to fast-track classes. On a tight budget? Here's how to learn French for PR for free.
Why does your weakest skill decide the timeline?
#IRCC converts each skill on its own. NCLC 7 in listening, reading and speaking, with NCLC 6 in writing, gets no French bonus. So the question is not "when will I be B2?" It is "when will my weakest skill be NCLC 7?"
- Listening and reading often move faster, because you can practise them alone, every day.
- Writing and speaking usually need feedback from a teacher or a partner. Plan extra time for them.
- On TCF Canada, writing and speaking are scored out of 20, and 10 is NCLC 7 while 9 is not. One point matters.
The exact minimums for each exam are in what score you need for CLB 7, and the TEF Canada score chart lists every NCLC level.
If listening is your weakest skill, daily input matters more than anything else. Start with the best free French listening resources by level.
What does a 6-month plan look like?
#This fits someone starting around A2+ or B1 with about 10 hours a week. Stretch each phase if you are starting lower.
A 6-month route to NCLC 7
- Week 1Find your level and pick your examTake a mock test or the self-check above. Choose TEF Canada or TCF Canada: both give the same points.
- Month 1Start watching for seatsIn busy cities, seats sell out fast. Check the TEF and TCF Canada exam dates and start watching now so you have a date to aim for, not a vague goal.
- Months 1–2Build the baseGrammar you keep getting wrong, core vocabulary, daily listening. Spend the most time on your weakest skill.
- Months 3–4Learn the exam tasksPractise the real task types with a timer. Get your writing and speaking corrected every week.
- Month 5Full mock testsOne timed mock every week or two. Track each skill's score against its NCLC 7 minimum.
- Month 6Polish and sit the examFix the last errors in your weakest skill. Sleep, rest, and go in with a routine you have practised.
If you are already at NCLC 5 or 6, our 12-week NCLC 5 to 7 study plan goes week by week. To turn your exam date into phases, try the exam prep planner. Starting at zero? Read about preparing for TEF Canada from scratch. Taking TEF Canada? See how to prepare for TEF Canada in 3 or 6 months.
How do you practise writing and speaking alone?
#Time yourself. Many people know the French but run out of time or words on the day.
- The writing practice timer counts your words live against real task limits.
- The speaking practice timer gives you prompts and a clock.
- Record yourself, then listen back for the same three mistakes. Fix those first.
- Myth
Apps alone will get me to B2.
FactApps are good for vocabulary and a daily habit. But NCLC 7 needs you to write and speak at length, on time, and most people need feedback on that from a real person.
- Myth
If I am B2 overall, I am NCLC 7.
FactIRCC checks each skill separately. You need NCLC 7 in listening, reading, writing and speaking, each on its own.
- Myth
A DELF B2 diploma counts for Express Entry.
FactIRCC accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. A DELF can show your level, but it does not give CRS points.
- Myth
I should book the exam only once I feel ready.
FactIn many cities seats sell out long before test day. Having a date booked also gives your study a real deadline.
Check yourself
#Check yourself
1 of 4.Roughly where does NCLC 7 sit on the CEFR scale?
2 of 4.Using the Alliance Française estimates, about how many hours separate B1 from B2?
3 of 4.You are NCLC 8 in listening and reading, NCLC 7 in speaking and NCLC 6 in writing. What sets your timeline?
4 of 4.Which French test gives CRS points?
Questions people ask
Roughly 170–220 hours of guided learning, based on one Alliance Française's estimates. At 10 hours a week that is about 4–5 months, but it varies a lot by person.
Possibly, if you start around B1 or a strong A2 and study about 10–15 hours a week. From zero, most estimates suggest well over a year at that pace.
Not exactly. Research for the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks puts NCLC 7 at B1+ (a very strong B1) and NCLC 8 at B2. IRCC only uses your TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores, converted to NCLC.
Enough to finish your remaining hours before your exam date. At 10 hours a week, 200 hours takes about 5 months. Plan extra time for writing and speaking.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks: Aligning the CLB and the CEFR (North & Piccardo, 2019)
- Alliance Française de Leeds: FAQ (hours per CEFR level)
- Alliance Française di Trieste: choosing the right level (hours per CEFR level)
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
Your next step
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