NCLC stands for Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, the French version of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Levels run from 1 to 12. The TCF Canada and TEF Canada tables for Express Entry cover NCLC 4 to 10.

What TCF Canada score is NCLC 7?

458 in listening, 453 in reading, and 10 out of 20 in both writing and speaking. NCLC 9 starts at 523 in listening, 524 in reading and 14/20 in writing and speaking.

What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?

On the ancien score scale: 249 in listening, 207 in reading, and 310 in both writing and speaking. These are the scores to enter in Express Entry.

Which TEF Canada score do I enter in Express Entry?

The Équivalence ancien score column on your certificate, not the Score / 699 column. IRCC says the /699 score isn't compatible with its system, and using it can lead to a refusal.

How many CRS points is French worth?

NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills adds 25 CRS points, or 50 with CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills. French also counts as a first or second official language. See the full picture in the CRS calculator.

Is this converter official?

No. It uses IRCC’s published equivalency tables, but NCLC French is an independent practice platform. Always confirm requirements on canada.ca before you apply.

Free tool · TCF Canada and TEF Canada

TCF Canada and TEF Canada to NCLC converter

Enter your four scores to see your NCLC level in each skill, your overall level, and which immigration goals you meet.

Don’t have scores yet? Get an estimate with a free test

Your TCF Canada scores

Type a score or drag the slider. Listening and reading are out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20.

Your exam

Example scores. Replace them with yours.

Listening· Compréhension orale

/699NCLC 7

33 more points for NCLC 8

Reading· Compréhension écrite

/699NCLC 6

13 more points for NCLC 7

Writing· Expression écrite

/20NCLC 7

1 more point for NCLC 8

Speaking· Expression orale

/20NCLC 7

2 more points for NCLC 8

Example · Overall level (your lowest skill)

NCLC 6

You meet NCLC 7 in 3 of 4 skills. Reading is the closest: 13 points short.

Biggest gain: 13 more points in Reading gives you NCLC 7 in all four, which means +25 CRS points and French-language draws.

IRCC looks at each skill separately, so your weakest skill sets your level.

My target

I have CLB 5+ in all four English skills

Changes the French bonus from 25 to 50 CRS points.

Your goals

Express Entry French bonusNCLC 7 or higher in all four skillsNo French bonus yet (needs NCLC 7 in all four)
French-language Express Entry drawsNCLC 7 or higher in all four skills
Canadian citizenshipB1 or higher in listening and speaking: 300+ in listening and 6+/20 in speaking
Your target · NCLC 7Practise your lowest skill first.

Find your real level, free

Last verified Oct 5, 2026Sources:IRCC: language test results(opens in a new tab)IRCC: proof of language for citizenship(opens in a new tab)

Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

How it works

How NCLC conversion works

NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French version of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). IRCC converts each TCF Canada or TEF Canada skill score into an NCLC level using an official table.

Most programs look at each skill separately, so your overall level is your lowest skill. Raising your weakest skill is the fastest way to move up.

For Express Entry, NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills unlocks the French bonus (25 CRS points, or 50 with CLB 5+ in English) and French-language category draws. Then add your levels to the CRS calculator or read French for Express Entry.

Citizenship

Applying for citizenship with TCF Canada or TEF Canada?

IRCC asks for CEFR level B1 or higher in listening and speaking. On the TCF Canada that is 300+ in listening and 6+/20 in speaking. On the TEF Canada, check that your certificate shows B1. The converter checks this for you.

French for citizenship

Official equivalences

IRCC score charts for both tests

These are the tables IRCC uses to turn each skill score into an NCLC level. The tool above uses them too.

TCF Canada → NCLC

TCF Canada scores and NCLC levels
NCLC	Listening /699	Reading /699	Writing /20	Speaking /20
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

TCF Canada: listening and reading out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20. Source: IRCC equivalency table.

TCF Canada score chart explained

TEF Canada → NCLC (Express Entry, ancien score)

TEF Canada Équivalence ancien score and NCLC levels
NCLC	Listening /360	Reading /300	Writing /450	Speaking /450
10	316–360	263–300	393–450	393–450
9	298–315	248–262	371–392	371–392
8	280–297	233–247	349–370	349–370
7	249–279	207–232	310–348	310–348
6	217–248	181–206	271–309	271–309
5	181–216	151–180	226–270	226–270
4	145–180	121–150	181–225	181–225

TEF Canada: enter these ancien scores in Express Entry. Source: IRCC equivalency table.

Show the TEF Canada /699 table (not for Express Entry)

TEF Canada /699 → NCLC (other programs only)

TEF Canada Score / 699 and NCLC levels
NCLC	Listening /699	Reading /699	Writing /699	Speaking /699
12	615–699	615–699	619–699	642–699
11	573–614	573–614	577–618	592–641
10	546–572	546–572	558–576	556–591
9	503–545	503–545	512–557	518–555
8	462–502	462–502	472–511	494–517
7	434–461	434–461	428–471	456–493
6	393–433	393–433	379–427	422–455
5	352–392	352–392	330–378	387–421
4	306–351	306–351	268–329	328–386

For tests taken from 11 December 2023, for programs that accept the /699 score. Not for Express Entry.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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