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Scores and NCLC · published September 29, 2026

TCF Canada score and NCLC: the full chart (2026)

TL;DR

On the TCF Canada, NCLC 7 means 458 to 502 points in listening, 453 to 498 in reading, and 10 or 11 out of 20 in speaking and writing. NCLC 9 starts at 523 in listening, 524 in reading and 14 out of 20 in speaking and writing.

The official chart

France Éducation international and IRCC publish the same conversion between TCF Canada scores and the Canadian Language Benchmarks for French (NCLC, the French equivalent of the CLB):

NCLCListening (/699)Reading (/699)Speaking (/20)Writing (/20)
10 and above549 to 699549 to 69916 to 2016 to 20
9523 to 548524 to 54814 to 1514 to 15
8503 to 522499 to 52312 to 1312 to 13
7458 to 502453 to 49810 to 1110 to 11
6398 to 457406 to 4527 to 97 to 9
5369 to 397375 to 40566
4331 to 368342 to 3744 to 54 to 5

Reading your score report

France Éducation international reports scores and CEFR levels, not NCLC. For IRCC, convert each score yourself with the chart above.

  • One score out of 699 for listening and one for reading, each shown as a CEFR level, from « niveau A1 non atteint » (below A1) to C2.
  • One mark out of 20 for speaking and one for writing, shown the same way.
  • The expiry date and the report number, plus a large QR code used to verify the results.
  • Results reach your TCF-Candidat account within 15 business days of France Éducation international receiving the session material.

Your weakest skill is the one that counts

Most IRCC programs set a minimum level in each of the four skills. If you score 520 in listening (NCLC 8) but 9 out of 20 in writing (NCLC 6), you do not have NCLC 7: writing holds you back.

That is why your weakest skill deserves most of your practice time. For many candidates, it is writing or speaking.

Why the cut-offs differ between skills

Listening and reading are scored out of 699 from your multiple choice answers. Speaking and writing are marked out of 20 by examiners. The thresholds are therefore different, and they even differ slightly between listening and reading (458 versus 453 for NCLC 7).

What each NCLC is worth in Express Entry

NCLCPoints per skill, first official language (with spouse)Without spouse
10 and above3234
92931
82223
71617
689
4 or 566

NCLC 7 in all four French skills also gives you a bonus of 25 points, or 50 points if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills. Your results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

The same scores in Québec

Québec scaleListening or readingSpeaking or writing (/20)
Levels 1 and 2 (A1)101 to 1991
Level 3 (A2)200 to 2592 to 3
Level 4 (A2)260 to 2994 to 5
Levels 5 and 6 (B1)300 to 3996 to 9
Levels 7 and 8 (B2)400 to 49910 to 13
Levels 9 and 10 (C1)500 to 59914 to 17
Levels 11 and 12 (C2)600 to 69918 to 20

Québec accepts the TCF Canada for the PSTQ, with results 2 years old or less on the date of the application. Its levels are not the same as NCLC: 420 in listening is level 7 or 8 on the Québec scale, but only NCLC 6 for IRCC.

Examples

  • Listening 470, reading 460, speaking 11, writing 10: NCLC 7 in all four skills.
  • Listening 530, reading 510, speaking 12, writing 10: NCLC 9, 8, 8 and 7, so NCLC 7 overall.
  • Listening 500, reading 480, speaking 9, writing 11: speaking (NCLC 6) keeps you below NCLC 7.

Frequently asked questions

What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 7?+
458 to 502 in listening, 453 to 498 in reading, and 10 or 11 out of 20 in speaking and writing.
What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 9?+
523 to 548 in listening, 524 to 548 in reading, and 14 or 15 out of 20 in speaking and writing.
What TCF Canada score is NCLC 5?+
369 to 397 in listening, 375 to 405 in reading, and 6 out of 20 in speaking and writing.
Is my NCLC based on my best skill or my weakest one?+
Each skill has its own NCLC, and most programs require a minimum in every one of them. In practice, your weakest skill sets your level.
Can I use my TCF Canada for Québec?+
Yes. Québec accepts the TCF Canada for the PSTQ, with results 2 years old or less on the date of the application, and converts the scores with its own scale.

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

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Sources

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