Scores & NCLCTCF Canada7 min read
TCF Canada Score Chart 2026: NCLC & CLB for Every Skill
The official TCF Canada to NCLC chart for 2026, explained skill by skill, with a converter, the lowest-skill rule and the levels each program needs.
Free cheat sheet · TCF Canada and TEF Canada
TCF Canada and TEF Canada cheat sheet
Everything you need to know about both tests on a few pages: the format, the scores you need for each NCLC level, how to use your time and how each skill is marked. Print it or keep it on your phone.
- Format of both tests side by side, section by section
- TCF and TEF score charts for NCLC 4 to 10
- Timing strategy for every section
- What NCLC 7 and NCLC 9 add to your CRS score
Download free PDF
PDF · free · no sign-upChecked October 6, 2026
Quick answer
The TCF Canada and the TEF Canada both test listening, reading, writing and speaking, and IRCC accepts both. The TCF has 39 questions per comprehension test and three writing and speaking tasks; the TEF has 40 questions and two sections each. For Express Entry most people aim for NCLC 7 in all four skills. On the TEF, enter the "Équivalence ancien score", never the score out of 699.
TCF vs TEF at a glance
The official structure of both tests, from France Éducation international (TCF Canada) and Le français des affaires, CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada). Full detail: TCF Canada exam format and TEF Canada exam format.
TCF Canada
| Section | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Compréhension orale | 35 min | 39 questions |
| Compréhension écrite | 60 min | 39 questions |
| Expression écrite | 60 min | 3 tasks |
| Expression orale | 12 min | 3 tasks |
Total: 167 min · Results valid 2 years for IRCC · Retake wait: 20 days
TEF Canada
| Section | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Compréhension écrite | 60 min | 40 questions |
| Compréhension orale | 40 min | 40 questions |
| Expression écrite | 60 min | 2 tasks |
| Expression orale | 15 min | 2 tasks |
Total: 175 min · Results valid 2 years for IRCC · Retake wait: 20 days
The one rule people get wrong: the TEF score column
Your TEF Canada certificate shows two sets of numbers. For Express Entry, IRCC tells you to enter only the "Équivalence ancien score" column (listening /360, reading /300, writing and speaking /450). The "Score / 699" column is not compatible with Express Entry, and IRCC warns that entering the wrong scores may lead to a refused application. TCF Canada scores go in as printed. Not sure what your numbers mean? Use the NCLC score converter.
TCF Canada score chart: NCLC levels
Listening and reading are scored out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20. Your NCLC level for each skill is the row your score falls in. The cut-offs are not the same for listening and reading. More detail: TCF score chart.
| 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 |
TEF Canada score chart: NCLC levels (ancien score)
These are "Équivalence ancien score" values, the ones Express Entry uses. Each skill has its own scale: listening /360, reading /300, writing and speaking /450. More detail: TEF score chart.
| 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 |
What NCLC 7 and NCLC 9 unlock in Express Entry
Points from the IRCC Comprehensive Ranking System criteria. Your full score depends on age, education and work experience too, so check it in the CRS calculator.
| What you get | NCLC 7 in all four skills | NCLC 9 in all four skills |
|---|---|---|
| French bonus (additional points) | 25 points, or 50 if you also have CLB 5 or more in all four English skills | Same: 25, or 50 with CLB 5+ in English |
| French as your first official language | 17 points per skill (16 with a spouse or partner) | 31 points per skill (29 with a spouse or partner) |
| French as your second official language | 3 points per skill | 6 points per skill (capped at 24 in total, 22 with a spouse) |
| Skill transferability: language + post-secondary education | 13 or 25 points, depending on your education | 25 or 50 points, depending on your education |
| French-language category draws | Eligible: the minimum is NCLC 7 in all four skills | Eligible |
NCLC levels count per skill: your lowest skill decides the bonus and the category. Skill transferability uses your first official language. See how French moves your score in the CRS calculator.
Timing strategy for each section
Official times are in the table at the top. The splits below are our suggestions, not rules from the test owners.
| Section | TCF Canada | TEF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Each recording plays once and questions get harder as you go. Answer fast, never leave a blank (a wrong answer scores 0, the same as a blank) and let go of a missed question. | Each audio plays once and you cannot go back. Use the few seconds before each audio to read the question and options. |
| Reading | About 1 minute 30 per question on average. Move quickly through the short early texts to save time for the long ones at the end. | You can move freely between questions. Skip a hard one, flag it mentally and come back. Fill in every answer before time runs out. |
| Writing | One 60-minute clock for three tasks, done in order. We suggest about 10, 15 and 25 minutes, plus a few minutes to count words and re-read. | Section A has 25 minutes and Section B has 35. Unused time does not carry over, so plan, write and re-read inside each section. |
| Speaking | Task 1 has no preparation: have a flexible self-introduction ready. Use the 2 minutes of task 2 preparation to list question topics, not full sentences. Task 3 starts straight away. | No separate preparation time is published. Read the document and start within seconds: about ten questions in Section A, five or more arguments in Section B. |
How the TCF and TEF are scored
TCF Canada. Listening and reading are multiple choice. Only correct answers count, weighted by the difficulty of each question, and the total is turned into a score out of 699. Writing and speaking are marked out of 20. On computer, writing may get a first marking from FIDELIA, an automated marking aid; the second marking is always done by a person. Your speaking interview is recorded and rated a second time by France Éducation international.
TEF Canada. In listening and reading, a correct answer is worth 1 point and a wrong or blank answer 0. The total is converted into a calibrated score that accounts for question difficulty. Writing is assessed by two independent markers. Speaking is always recorded: the examiner gives a first rating and a second evaluator rates the recording.
On the TCF, word counts are a hard limit. A writing task outside its word range, off topic, missing or copied from the documents can be rated "A1 non atteint" (below A1). The TEF sets minimums only. Ready-made phrases for both tests: TCF and TEF writing phrases.
Results, validity and retakes
| TCF Canada | TEF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Results | Up to 15 working days after France Éducation international receives the session | 1 to 10 working days after the test, in an online space |
| Valid for | 2 years from the date results are issued | 2 years from the date the certificate is issued |
| Wait before retaking | 20 days | 20 days |
| Same day | Not stated by the test owner | All four tests must be taken the same day |
For Express Entry, IRCC requires results less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application. Book your retake with the expiry date in mind.
How to use this cheat sheet
Start by finding where you are today: take the free 10-question French level check, then a full timed free TCF or TEF mock test. Mark your score for each skill in the charts above and circle the weakest one.
Spend most of your practice time on that weakest skill, because the lowest of your four NCLC levels sets your French bonus. For speaking, rehearse with TCF and TEF speaking questions; for writing, learn the connectors and letter formulas in the writing phrases sheet.
Re-read the timing strategy the week before your exam, and check the official format with the test owner in case it has changed.
Keep a copy
Download the PDF to print it or keep it on your phone. Prints cleanly on A4 and Letter.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Last checked against official sources on Oct 6, 2026. Rules change: always confirm on canada.ca before you submit anything.
- TCF CanadaFrance Éducation international, test owner (opens in a new tab)
- How TCF tests are markedFrance Éducation international (opens in a new tab)
- Understanding TCF resultsFrance Éducation international (opens in a new tab)
- TEF Canada presentationLe français des affaires, CCI Paris Île-de-France (opens in a new tab)
- TEF Canada test day (passation)Le français des affaires (opens in a new tab)
- TEF Canada resultsLe français des affaires (opens in a new tab)
- Express Entry: language test resultscanada.ca (IRCC): NCLC tables, ancien score rule, 2-year validity (opens in a new tab)
- Comprehensive Ranking System criteriacanada.ca (IRCC): language and French bonus points (opens in a new tab)
- Express Entry category-based selectioncanada.ca (IRCC): French-language category (opens in a new tab)
Scores & NCLCTEF Canada6 min read
TEF Canada Score Chart 2026: NCLC & CLB by Skill
The TEF Canada to NCLC chart IRCC uses for Express Entry (old-scale scores), the /699 tables by test date, and which one applies to you.
TCF vs TEF8 min read
TCF Canada vs TEF Canada: Which Is Easier for You? (Quiz)
TCF Canada and TEF Canada compared section by section: timings, writing and speaking tasks, scoring and who each suits. Take the quiz to choose.
Practise in the real exam format
A full timed TCF Canada or TEF Canada mock test, all four skills, with an NCLC estimate for each. Free, no account needed.
Start the free mock test