TL;DR
TCF listening and reading are scored out of 699 from your multiple choice answers. Writing and speaking are marked out of 20: each task gets a level from « A1 non atteint » (below A1) to C2, given by two examiners marking independently, and an unpublished rule then turns those levels into your final mark.
Listening and reading: a score out of 699
Each correct answer earns points, and the questions get harder as you go. The candidate handbook does not publish the points per question. Your final score (100 to 699) corresponds to a CEFR level:
| Level | TCF Canada (/699) |
|---|---|
| A1 | 100 to 199 |
| A2 | 200 to 299 |
| B1 | 300 to 399 |
| B2 | 400 to 499 |
| C1 | 500 to 599 |
| C2 | 600 to 699 |
Writing and speaking: a mark out of 20
In writing and speaking, each task is assessed by two examiners who mark independently, without seeing each other's mark, and give it a level. A third examiner steps in if their levels are far apart. Your mark out of 20 is then calculated from the six levels you received, using a rule that is not published.
| Mark out of 20 | Level |
|---|---|
| 18 to 20 | C2 |
| 14 to 17 | C1 |
| 10 to 13 | B2 |
| 6 to 9 | B1 |
| 2 to 5 | A2 |
| 1 | A1 |
The three marking criteria
- Linguistic: range of vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, spelling (writing), pronunciation and fluency (speaking).
- Pragmatic: coherence, cohesion, development of the topic.
- Sociolinguistic: fit with the situation (register, politeness).
What gets a task marked « A1 non atteint »
- Not respecting the word limits.
- Going off topic, or not doing the task.
- Copying sentences from the prompt, or reciting a text learned by heart.
From score to NCLC (TCF Canada)
For Canada, IRCC converts each score into an NCLC level, skill by skill. NCLC 7, the most common threshold, starts at 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in speaking and writing. Your level depends on your weakest skill.
Results: listening 512, reading 470, writing 11, speaking 9. Reading them: NCLC 8, 7, 7 and 6. Speaking, at 9 out of 20, keeps you from NCLC 7 in all four skills.
What about artificial intelligence?
France Éducation international uses FIDELIA, an AI marking assistant, as the first marker for some writing tests taken on computer. The second marking is still done by a person. Since the September 1, 2026 sessions, requests to re-mark writing and speaking have been suspended, with a return expected in fall 2027.
Preparing for a test in France? This article also exists in French.
Frequently asked questions
What TCF score do I need for B2?+−
What TCF score is B1?+−
What TCF score is C1?+−
What TCF score is A2?+−
What score would you get in writing?
Write a TCF task and get an estimated level based on the official criteria. With the 14-day free trial. How we check the correction