The TCF Canada & scoring
NCLC levels explained: TCF Canada score conversion and the thresholds that matter
Every French result you submit to IRCC is translated into NCLC levels, one per skill. Your raw TCF Canada scores don't matter to the system; the four NCLC numbers do. Here is the conversion, and how to read it strategically.
Updated November 2026 · 4 min read
The short answer
- NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is Canada's 12-level French scale, the counterpart of the CLB for English. IRCC converts each TCF Canada or TEF Canada skill score into an NCLC level.
- NCLC 7 in all four skills unlocks the Express Entry French category and the 50-point French bonus. On the TCF Canada that means at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, and 10/20 in writing and speaking.
- NCLC 9 is the next big step: it maximises second-language points and, if French is your first official language, unlocks skill-transferability points.
- Skills are never averaged. Your lowest skill decides what you qualify for, so the weakest one deserves the most study time.
1What NCLC is
The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens describe what a person can do in French at work and in daily life, from level 1 (basic survival phrases) to level 12 (fully proficient). The scale mirrors the English Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), so IRCC can compare English and French results on the same footing.
You never sit an "NCLC exam". You sit the TCF Canada or the TEF Canada, receive a score for each skill, and IRCC applies an official conversion table. On your Express Entry profile you enter the test scores; the system shows the matching NCLC levels.
| NCLC | Rough CEFR level | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 | A2–B1 | Handles routine exchanges; struggles with anything abstract |
| 6 | B1 | Follows clear speech on familiar topics; writes simple connected text |
| 7 | B2 | Follows extended talk, reads articles, argues a point with some precision |
| 8 | B2+ | Handles most work situations with few errors |
| 9 | C1 | Understands implicit meaning, writes and speaks fluently on complex topics |
| 10+ | C1–C2 | Near-native precision and range |
2TCF Canada to NCLC conversion table
Listening and reading are scored from 0 to 699. Writing and speaking are scored from 0 to 20 by trained examiners. These are the ranges IRCC uses:
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Read the table as a margin, not a pass mark
A listening score of 458 is NCLC 7, but 457 is NCLC 6. Because listening and reading scores move by a dozen points between sittings for the same person, aim for 480+ in listening and reading in your practice tests before you book. For writing and speaking, aim to be safely at 11–12 rather than hoping for a 10.The TEF Canada uses a different score scale, so the numbers are not interchangeable. IRCC publishes a separate TEF table. Both tests convert to the same NCLC levels, so an NCLC 7 is an NCLC 7 whichever test you took. See TCF Canada vs TEF Canada.
3The two thresholds that matter: NCLC 7 and NCLC 9
The door opener
Makes you eligible for French-category draws and adds 50 CRS points (25 if your English is CLB 4 or lower). Also meets the FSW minimum if French is your first official language.
The points maximiser
Doubles second-language points from 3 to 6 per skill. If French is your first official language, NCLC 9 also unlocks the highest skill-transferability combinations with education and foreign work.
For most English-speaking candidates the plan is simple: reach NCLC 7 in all four skills as fast as possible, apply, and only push for NCLC 9 if your CRS score is still short of the recent French-draw cut-offs. Moving from 7 to 9 is a large jump (roughly B2 to C1) and usually takes as long as getting to 7 did.
4The weakest-skill rule
IRCC treats each skill as a separate requirement. If you score NCLC 9 in listening, 8 in reading, 7 in speaking and 6 in writing, you are not eligible for the French category and you do not receive the 50-point bonus. Nothing is averaged and nothing compensates.
Candidate A: 9 / 9 / 8 / 6
- Excellent listening and reading
- Writing at NCLC 6
- Result: no French category, no 50-point bonus
- Must retake the full test
Candidate B: 7 / 7 / 7 / 7
- Just over the line in every skill
- Nothing impressive on paper
- Result: French-category eligible, +50 points
- Can apply immediately
This is why balanced preparation beats perfectionism. English speakers usually find listening and reading come first, because so much vocabulary is shared. Writing and speaking are where most candidates miss NCLC 7, so they deserve a larger share of the weekly plan from the start. Our guide to how the TCF is graded shows what examiners reward.
5Three ways NCLC levels affect your application
- 1
Program eligibility
FSW requires level 7 in the first official language. CEC requires 7 for TEER 0–1 jobs and 5 for TEER 2–3. If French is stronger than your English, it can be declared as the first official language.
- 2
CRS points
Language points are awarded per skill and per level, both for the first and the second official language, plus the French bonus. See how CRS points work.
- 3
Draw eligibility
The French category is the one Express Entry category defined entirely by a language result: NCLC 7 across the board.
6How to use this table when you study
- Take a diagnostic mock test early and convert each section to an NCLC level. That tells you which skill is your bottleneck.
- Re-test every 4–6 weeks. Track the gap to NCLC 7 per skill, not your overall impression.
- Shift hours toward the lowest skill each cycle. A skill already at NCLC 8 needs maintenance, not more time.
- Book the real exam when all four skills are at NCLC 7 with a margin in your practice results, not when the average looks good.
- Remember the 30-day rule: you must wait at least 30 days between two TCF Canada sittings, so a near miss costs a month.
7Frequently asked questions
What TCF Canada score is NCLC 7?+
Listening 458–502, reading 453–498, and 10–11 out of 20 in both writing and speaking. Higher scores count as NCLC 8 or above, which also qualifies.
Is NCLC 7 the same as B2?+
Roughly. NCLC 7 corresponds to the lower-to-middle part of CEFR B2. It is an approximation; IRCC only uses NCLC levels.
Can a high listening score make up for a low writing score?+
No. Each skill is assessed separately, and the French category requires NCLC 7 in every one of the four skills.
What is the difference between CLB and NCLC?+
CLB is the scale for English and NCLC is the scale for French. They are parallel scales with the same levels, so CLB 7 and NCLC 7 describe comparable ability.
How long are NCLC results valid?+
TCF Canada and TEF Canada results are valid for two years from the test date. They must be valid when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application.
Keep reading
Turn the method into points
Practise with levelled TCF Canada questions and full mock exams built for NCLC 7, with an explanation for every answer.