FluentSproutFacts checked November 2026 against IRCC’s Express Entry language-testing page. IRCC updates these tables, so always check the current IRCC page for your program before you rely on a number.
Guide · checked November 2026 · general information, not immigration advice
TEF Canada and TCF Canada scores to NCLC: the chart
Canada’s immigration department (IRCC) doesn’t use your TEF Canada or TCF Canada score directly. It converts the score for each of the four skills to an NCLC level (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, the French twin of the CLB). Your profile uses those four levels, not an overall score.
Short answer
IRCC converts each skill’s score to an NCLC level. For NCLC 7 on TCF Canada you need speaking and writing 10 to 11 out of 20, listening 458 to 502 and reading 453 to 498. On TEF Canada (ancien score) you need speaking and writing 310 to 348, listening 249 to 279 and reading 207 to 232. Each skill counts on its own.
NCLC 7 at a glance
NCLC 7 in every skill is the level most people search for. It is the first-official-language minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
| Skill | TEF Canada (ancien score) | TCF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 310 to 348 | 10 to 11 (out of 20) |
| Listening | 249 to 279 | 458 to 502 |
| Reading | 207 to 232 | 453 to 498 |
| Writing | 310 to 348 | 10 to 11 (out of 20) |
Score above the top of the range and you are at NCLC 8 or higher in that skill.
Full chart: TEF Canada → NCLC
| NCLC | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 8 | 349 to 370 | 280 to 297 | 233 to 247 | 349 to 370 |
| 7 | 310 to 348 | 249 to 279 | 207 to 232 | 310 to 348 |
| 6 | 271 to 309 | 217 to 248 | 181 to 206 | 271 to 309 |
| 5 | 226 to 270 | 181 to 216 | 151 to 180 | 226 to 270 |
| 4 | 181 to 225 | 145 to 180 | 121 to 150 | 181 to 225 |
The current IRCC grid stops at “9 and above” for TEF Canada. You may see an older table online with an NCLC 10 row. That one applied for a short period (tests from 11 December 2023 to 6 May 2024), and IRCC has since reverted it.
Full chart: TCF Canada → NCLC
| NCLC | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 16 to 20 | 549 to 699 | 549 to 699 | 16 to 20 |
| 9 | 14 to 15 | 523 to 548 | 524 to 548 | 14 to 15 |
| 8 | 12 to 13 | 503 to 522 | 499 to 523 | 12 to 13 |
| 7 | 10 to 11 | 458 to 502 | 453 to 498 | 10 to 11 |
| 6 | 7 to 9 | 398 to 457 | 406 to 452 | 7 to 9 |
| 5 | 6 | 369 to 397 | 375 to 405 | 6 |
| 4 | 4 to 5 | 331 to 368 | 342 to 374 | 4 to 5 |
Three things people get wrong
- Your lowest skill counts. If you need “NCLC 7”, you usually need it in each of the four skills. A great reading score doesn’t make up for weak speaking.
- The TEF “/699” number is not your NCLC. Look for the “ancien score” equivalent on the result.
- NCLC isn’t CEFR. People often ask “is NCLC 7 B1 or B2?”. They are different scales built for different purposes, with no exact one-to-one mapping. NCLC 7 sits roughly around B2 (some place it at the B1/B2 boundary), so treat any conversion as a rough guide. More in What NCLC means.
How long does NCLC 7 take from zero?
For most adults, several hundred hours of study. The common estimate for reaching B2 in French from zero is 500 to 800 hours, and your number depends on how often you speak, how consistent you are, and the languages you already know. See How long does it take to reach B2?
Where FluentSprout fits
In exam mode you set the test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada), a target NCLC for each skill and your exam date. Practice tasks then give you an estimate of your level in each skill, so you can see which one is holding you back. These are practice estimates, not official scores, and no result is guaranteed. Not sure which test to book? Read TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
Questions
- What TCF Canada score is NCLC 7?
- Speaking and writing 10 to 11 out of 20; listening 458 to 502; reading 453 to 498 (IRCC table, checked November 2026).
- What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?
- Using the “ancien score” equivalent: speaking and writing 310 to 348; listening 249 to 279; reading 207 to 232.
- Do I need NCLC 7 in every skill?
- For the Federal Skilled Worker minimum in your first official language, yes: each ability is checked separately. Check IRCC for your program.
- Is TEF or TCF easier for NCLC 7?
- Neither is officially easier. Our TEF Canada vs TCF Canada comparison sets them side by side.
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FluentSprout is independent and not affiliated with IRCC, Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) or France Éducation international. TEF Canada and TCF Canada are trademarks of their publishers. This page is general information, not immigration advice.