TCF Canada · NCLC
TCF Canada score chart: NCLC and CLB levels for all four skills
Your TCF Canada results come as four scores. This chart shows how each one maps to an NCLC level — the scale IRCC uses for Express Entry — and the calculator turns all four scores into your levels instantly.
Official TCF Canada → NCLC conversion
| NCLC / CLB | CEFR | Listening | Reading | Speaking /20 | Writing /20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | C1+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| NCLC 9 | C1 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| NCLC 8 | B2 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| NCLC 7 | B2 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| NCLC 6 | B1 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| NCLC 5 | B1 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | A2 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Comprehension tests are scored 0–699; expression tests are scored 0–20. Each skill is converted independently — you must reach the level in every skill to claim it.
Source: IRCC — Express Entry language test results
Score calculator
Enter your four TCF Canada scores to see the NCLC level for each skill — and the overall level IRCC counts for Express Entry.
How TCF Canada scoring works: two scales
TCF listening and reading score chart (0–699)
Listening (compréhension orale) and reading (compréhension écrite) are multiple-choice tests scored automatically from 0 to 699. Their bands are close but not identical: NCLC 7 starts at 458 in listening and 453 in reading, and NCLC 9 starts at 523 in listening and 524 in reading.
| NCLC / CLB | Listening | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 |
| NCLC 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 |
| NCLC 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 |
| NCLC 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 |
| NCLC 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 |
| NCLC 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 |
| NCLC 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 |
TCF speaking and writing score chart (0–20)
Speaking (expression orale) and writing (expression écrite) are marked by trained examiners out of 20, with the same bands for both: 10–11 is NCLC 7, 12–13 is NCLC 8, 14–15 is NCLC 9 and 16 or more is NCLC 10. A single point can move you a whole level, so these are the skills where targeted practice pays off fastest.
| NCLC / CLB | Speaking /20 | Writing /20 |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| NCLC 9 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| NCLC 8 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| NCLC 7 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| NCLC 6 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Minimum NCLC by immigration program
| Program | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (French as first official language) | NCLC 7 in all four skills |
| Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class | NCLC 7 for TEER 0–1 jobs, NCLC 5 for TEER 2–3 jobs |
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades | NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
| French CRS bonus and French-language proficiency draws | NCLC 7 in all four skills |
| Canadian citizenship | NCLC 4 in speaking and listening |
Requirements change. Check the program page on canada.ca before you apply.
Three results, read the way IRCC reads them
Close — but blocked by writing
Scores: Listening 470 → NCLC 7 · Reading 460 → NCLC 7 · Speaking 12 → NCLC 8 · Writing 9 → NCLC 6
Overall: NCLC 6
Three skills are at NCLC 7 or above, but writing is one point short. The overall level drops to NCLC 6: no French bonus and no French-language draws. One more point in writing changes the whole profile.
A solid NCLC 8
Scores: Listening 510 → NCLC 8 · Reading 505 → NCLC 8 · Speaking 14 → NCLC 9 · Writing 12 → NCLC 8
Overall: NCLC 8
Every skill is at NCLC 8 or above, so the French bonus applies and the candidate qualifies for French-language draws.
The top band
Scores: Listening 560 → NCLC 10+ · Reading 552 → NCLC 10+ · Speaking 16 → NCLC 10+ · Writing 16 → NCLC 10+
Overall: NCLC 10+
NCLC 10 in every skill: the maximum second-language points plus the French bonus.
How many CRS points is your French worth?
If French is your second official language, each skill earns its own points, up to 24 in total (22 if you apply with a spouse or partner). On top of that, NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills adds the French bonus: 50 points when your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, 25 points otherwise.
| NCLC per skill | CRS points per skill |
|---|---|
| NCLC 4 or below | 0 |
| NCLC 5–6 | 1 |
| NCLC 7–8 | 3 |
| NCLC 9 or higher | 6 |
What NCLC 7 unlocks in Express Entry
NCLC 7 across all four skills is the threshold that makes you a strong French speaker for Express Entry. It qualifies you for category-based French-language draws and, combined with English, can add up to 50 CRS points. Higher levels help your comprehension bands, but draws are based on meeting the four-skill minimum.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NCLC and CLB?
They are the same scale — NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French label, CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) the English one. Your TCF Canada results convert to NCLC.
What TCF Canada writing score do I need for NCLC 7?
10 to 11 out of 20 in expression écrite equals NCLC 7. NCLC 8 needs 12–13, and NCLC 9 needs 14–15.
Is each skill converted separately?
Yes. Listening, reading, speaking, and writing are each mapped to their own NCLC level, and immigration programs look at your lowest skill.
How long are TCF Canada results valid?
Two years from the date the results are issued.
What TCF Canada listening and reading scores equal NCLC 7?
458 or more in listening (compréhension orale) and 453 or more in reading (compréhension écrite), both out of 699. NCLC 8 starts at 503 in listening and 499 in reading.
Is this TCF Canada score chart official?
Yes. The ranges reproduce the equivalency table IRCC publishes for TCF Canada on its Express Entry language test page. Écrivance is independent and not affiliated with IRCC or the test provider.
How many CRS points is NCLC 7 in French worth?
As a second official language, NCLC 7 earns 3 points per skill — 12 for all four. NCLC 7 in all four skills also unlocks the French bonus: 50 points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, 25 points otherwise.
Does IRCC average my four TCF scores?
No. Each skill is converted on its own, and programs check your level in every skill, so a single weak skill holds back the whole result.
What TCF Canada scores equal CLB 5?
369–397 in listening, 375–405 in reading, and 6 out of 20 in speaking and in writing. CLB and NCLC are the same scale.