The session you book as a backup is the one you are likely to lose.
You set an exam date, then book a second one a fortnight later, just in case. On paper that is sensible insurance. At several centres, it is exactly that second booking that gets cancelled — and the money does not come back.
The trap
Two sittings of the same test must be at least 20 days apart. The registration form checks nothing when you pay: it takes the money, and the centre cancels the offending session afterwards.
Several centres state plainly that respecting the gap is the candidate's own responsibility, and that no refund and no transfer will be granted.
Key points
- A minimum of 20 days between two sittings of the same test.
- Centres cancel the offending booking with no refund and no transfer.
- Count 20 full days from your exam date before booking the next one.
Why the precaution backfires
The logic sounds right: if I fail, my second date is already booked. But the registration system does not compare your two dates when you pay. The check happens later, and it lands on the booking you made out of caution — the one you thought was your safety net.
What to check before you book
Count 20 full days from your exam date, and confirm the figure with your centre: the older candidate guide said 30 days, and prep sites still publish that number. Then ask the real question — do you need a backup session, or a measured level before the first one?
Ready to reach CLB 7?
A listening paper takes 35 minutes. A cancelled registration costs a great deal more than that.
Assess your level for free and practice in the official TCF Canada format.