The essentials in 30 seconds
- 1The target in numbers: 400 in listening and reading, 10/20 in speaking and writing.
- 2B1 → B2 is decided by argument, nuance and timing, not by vocabulary volume.
- 3Plan: 2 weeks of diagnosis and basics, 4 weeks of targeted work, 2 weeks of mock exams.
- 4Budget 1 h to 1 h 30 a day, including 30 minutes of active listening.
Part 1What really separates B1 from B2
At B1 you tell and you describe. At B2 you defend, you compare and you qualify. It is a change of posture more than of vocabulary, which is why so many learners stall at 360–390 points after months of word lists.
400
comprehension score for B2
10/20
production score for B2
8
weeks in the plan
| Skill | B1 candidate | B2 candidate |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Understands the gist of an announcement | Catches the opinion and tone of a debate |
| Reading | Finds explicit information | Grasps the implied, the irony, the intent |
| Writing | Puts simple ideas side by side | Structures reasoning with connectors |
| Speaking | Answers questions | Develops, illustrates, concedes, bounces back |
“At B1 you tell a story. At B2 you defend what you think.”
Part 2The eight-week plan
Your eight weeks at a glance
- Weeks 1–2 — diagnosis and foundations
- Weeks 3–4 — targeted comprehension
- Weeks 5–6 — argued production
- Weeks 7–8 — full mock exams
Weeks 1 and 2 — diagnosis and foundations
- Day 1: one full timed series (free here). Write down your score per skill.
- Grammar to consolidate: subjunctive after verbs of opinion and feeling, conditional, compound relative pronouns (dont, auquel, lequel), sequence of tenses.
- Daily listening: 30 minutes of news (RFI, Radio-Canada), noting five expressions a day.
Weeks 3 and 4 — targeted comprehension
- Reading: two opinion pieces a day. For each, summarise the author's thesis and tone in one sentence.
- Listening: 15 questions at B2–C1 level a day. After each mistake, replay and find the word that fooled you.
- Apply the techniques in TCF Canada listening tips.
Weeks 5 and 6 — argued production
- Writing: one task 3 every other day (summary of two opinions + your view), 25 minutes on the clock.
- Speaking: one point-of-view prompt a day, 4 min 30 recorded on your phone, no preparation. Listen back.
- Connectors: add five new ones a week to your own writing — see 50 French linking words.
The B2 speaking structure, rehearsed until automatic
1. Rephrase: « La question est de savoir si… »
2. Take a nuanced position: « Je suis plutôt d'accord, même si… »
3. First argument + example: « D'abord… Par exemple, dans mon pays… »
4. Concession: « Certes, on pourrait objecter que… »
5. Second argument: « Cependant, il ne faut pas oublier que… »
6. Conclude: « En somme, à condition que…, je pense que… »
Weeks 7 and 8 — simulation
- Three full mock exams, at the time of day of your booking, with no extra breaks.
- Analysis after each one: which questions cost time? Which task got rushed?
- Final week: nothing new. Revise your structures, sleep, arrive rested.
Part 3The five habits that keep people at B1
- 1.Learning word lists out of context instead of expressions inside sentences.
- 2.Only practising multiple-choice, because it is more comfortable than writing or speaking.
- 3.Writing without counting words: too short in task 1, too long in task 2, no time for task 3.
- 4.Reciting a memorised text in the speaking test — examiners spot it immediately.
- 5.Never sitting a full mock exam: the fatigue of 2 h 47 is a skill in itself.
Felix Academy practice packs
Follow this plan with corrected series
Diagnosis, targeted training and mock exams: the whole eight-week plan fits inside a Gold pack, private lessons included.
- 40 full series: listening, reading, writing, speaking
- Audio transcripts and detailed answer keys
- Writing and speaking topics with model answers
- AI writing simulator (15 sessions)
Newsletter
One email a week to pass the TCF
Join 2,000+ candidates who get our weekly current-affairs topics and exam tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get B2 in French on the TCF?
You need 400 in comprehension and 10 out of 20 in production. The fastest route is a full diagnosis, targeted work on argument and nuance, regular written and spoken production, then several timed mock exams.
How long does it take to go from B1 to B2?
For a candidate close to the bar (360–390 in comprehension), 6 to 10 weeks of steady work, around an hour a day, is often enough. From a low B1, plan 4 to 6 months.
What TCF score equals B2?
400 to 499 out of 699 in listening and reading, and 10 to 13 out of 20 in speaking and writing.
Can I be B2 in some skills and B1 in others?
Yes, the TCF gives a level per skill. Depending on the programme, the administration may require the level in each skill, so check the exact requirement for your file.
About the author
Akono Germy
TCF & TEF Canada coach — method and production skills
Coaches Felix Academy candidates for TCF and TEF Canada on exam method, writing and speaking.
Did this article help?
Comments(0)
