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Understanding the TCF · level All levels · 8 min

TCF score, NCLC and CEFR explained

Your score report shows four results, one per skill. Depending on your application, they are read as CEFR levels (A1 to C2) or as NCLC levels (for Canada). Understanding both scales helps you avoid two common mistakes: calculating an average that does not exist, and aiming too low in a single skill.

TL;DR

  • Listening and reading are scored out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20: each skill has its own result.
  • For Canada, each score converts to an NCLC level separately: there is no average across skills.
  • One point often changes your level: 9 out of 20 gives NCLC 6, 10 out of 20 gives NCLC 7.

Goal: Read a TCF score report, convert each score into a CEFR level and an NCLC level, and know which score to aim for in each skill.

Two kinds of scores

Listening and reading are multiple choice sections scored out of 699 (out of 499 for the TCF IRN). Writing and speaking are scored out of 20, by two markers. The two scales do not add up: each skill has its own result.

From score to CEFR level

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CECRL in French) describes six levels. The grid is the same for the whole TCF.

LevelComprehension (out of 699)Writing, speaking (out of 20)
C2600 to 69918 to 20
C1500 to 59914 to 17
B2400 to 49910 to 13
B1300 to 3996 to 9
A2200 to 2992 to 5
A1100 to 1991

412 in reading: B2 level.

9 out of 20 in speaking: B1 level, one point away from B2.

From score to NCLC (TCF Canada)

The NCLC (« Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens ») are used for immigration applications to Canada. For the TCF Canada, IRCC publishes a conversion for each skill, shown below. NCLC 10 actually covers "10 and above". The NCLC have an English equivalent, the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks): that is why you sometimes see "CLB 7" for the same level.

NCLCListeningReadingSpeakingWriting
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

No average: every skill counts

The NCLC is read skill by skill. A program that asks for NCLC 7 expects NCLC 7 in each of the four skills. An excellent comprehension score does not make up for weak writing.

Listening 510 (NCLC 8), reading 470 (NCLC 7), speaking 12 (NCLC 8), writing 9 (NCLC 6): NCLC 7 is not reached across the board, because of writing.

To reach NCLC 7 in every skill, you need at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in both writing and speaking.

Thresholds to watch

  • The cut-offs are not the same for listening and reading: 503 is enough for NCLC 8 in listening, but you need 499 in reading.
  • One point out of 20 often changes your level: 9 gives NCLC 6, 10 gives NCLC 7.
  • Below NCLC 4, the official conversion does not give a level.

A common mistake

✗ "I got 16 in speaking and 8 in writing, so my average is 12: NCLC 8."

✓ "I have NCLC 10 and above in speaking and NCLC 6 in writing: writing is what limits my profile."

NCLC levels are not calculated from an average: each skill is converted separately, with its own grid.

Frequently asked questions

What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 7?+
According to the IRCC tables and the candidate handbook: 458 to 502 in « Compréhension orale » (listening), 453 to 498 in « Compréhension écrite » (reading), and 10 or 11 out of 20 in both « Expression orale » (speaking) and « Expression écrite » (writing). Each skill is assessed separately.
Is the NCLC calculated from the average of the four sections?+
No. Each skill gets its own NCLC, and a program that requires NCLC 7 usually requires it in every skill. A very good speaking score does not make up for a writing score that is too low.
Which score corresponds to B2?+
For the multiple choice sections, 400 to 499 points. For writing and speaking, 10 to 13 out of 20, according to the scoring scale in the candidate handbook.
Why two scales, out of 699 and out of 20?+
The comprehension sections (multiple choice) are scored out of 699 for the TCF Canada and out of 499 for the TCF IRN. Writing and speaking are scored out of 20 by markers, based on a level given to each task.

Practice exercise with answers

1. You scored 465 in TCF Canada listening. What is your NCLC in this skill?

2. What is the minimum writing score for NCLC 7?

3. A score of 520 in reading corresponds to which CEFR level?

4. What does "CLB 7" mean in a Canadian application?

Next step

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