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Scores and NCLC · published September 29, 2026

NCLC 7: which TCF or TEF score should you aim for?

TL;DR

For NCLC 7 on the TCF Canada, you need 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in speaking and writing. On the TEF Canada, you need 249 in listening, 207 in reading and 310 in speaking and writing. The Express Entry French bonus requires this level in all four skills.

The NCLC 7 thresholds

SkillTCF CanadaTEF Canada
Compréhension orale (listening)458 to 502249 to 279
Compréhension écrite (reading)453 to 498207 to 232
Expression orale (speaking)10 to 11 out of 20310 to 348
Expression écrite (writing)10 to 11 out of 20310 to 348

For the TEF Canada, IRCC uses the « Équivalence ancien score » column of your results, not the score out of 699.

What NCLC 7 is worth: a worked example

In the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), each skill in your first official language earns points. Without a spouse, NCLC 6 is worth 9 points per skill and NCLC 7 is worth 17. Here is the comparison for a candidate without a spouse whose first official language is French:

ProfileLanguage points (4 skills)French bonus
NCLC 6 in every skill360
NCLC 7 in every skill, English at CLB 4 or lower6825
NCLC 7 in every skill, English at CLB 5 or higher in all 4 skills6850

Moving from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7 in all four skills adds 32 language points, plus a bonus of 25 or 50 points, before you even count English as your second language.

The trap: one skill at NCLC 6

The French bonus requires NCLC 7 in all four skills. With 9 out of 20 in writing (NCLC 6) and NCLC 7 everywhere else, you lose the 25 or 50 point bonus because of a single missing point. That is why it is safer to aim for a margin, such as 11 or 12 out of 20, rather than the exact threshold.

Which programs require NCLC 7?

ProgramMinimum French level
Federal Skilled Worker ProgramNCLC 7 in all 4 skills
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobNCLC 7 in all 4 skills
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobNCLC 5 in all 4 skills
Federal Skilled Trades ProgramNCLC 5 in listening and speaking, NCLC 4 in reading and writing
Express Entry French language proficiency categoryNCLC 7 in all 4 skills

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, NCLC 7 is an eligibility threshold: below it, you cannot apply under that program. On its 67 point selection grid, NCLC 7 earns 4 points per skill, NCLC 8 earns 5 and NCLC 9 or higher earns 6.

What level is NCLC 7?

On the TCF, a mark of 10 to 13 out of 20 in speaking or writing is CEFR level B2, so NCLC 7 (10 to 11 out of 20) sits at the start of B2. You need to argue, add nuance and tell a story precisely, both in writing and out loud.

What about Québec?

Québec does not use NCLC but its own scale, the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. According to its conversion chart, 400 to 499 points in listening or reading and 10 to 13 out of 20 in speaking or writing on the TCF Canada correspond to levels 7 and 8. For stream 1 of the PSTQ, Québec asks for level 7 or higher in oral skills and level 5 or higher in written skills.

How to reach it

  • Take stock: find your weakest skill with a full practice set.
  • Work on speaking and writing with regular feedback: this is where most candidates gain the most.
  • Practise in real test conditions (timing, listening only once) in the final weeks.
  • Plan your test date so that your results are less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need NCLC 7 in all four skills?+
For the Express Entry French bonus, yes: NCLC 7 or higher in each of the four French skills.
How many CRS points is NCLC 7 worth per skill?+
As your first official language, 16 points with a spouse and 17 points without a spouse, for each skill.
Is 10 out of 20 in writing enough for NCLC 7?+
Yes. On the TCF Canada, 10 or 11 out of 20 in writing corresponds to NCLC 7.
What TEF Canada reading score do I need for NCLC 7?+
207 to 232, using the « Équivalence ancien score » column that IRCC uses.
Is NCLC 7 mandatory for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?+
Yes. The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires at least NCLC 7 in all four skills to be eligible.

What score would you get in writing?

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Sources

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