TEF Canada: Équivalence ancien score vs Score / 699
Your TEF Canada results show each skill twice. Which number counts depends on the program — and for Express Entry, entering the wrong one can get your application refused.
Score / 699
Not for Express Entry
- Reading/699
- Listening/699
- Writing/699
- Speaking/699
Équivalence ancien score
Use this for Express Entry
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
What the two columns are
TEF Canada reports each of the four tests on a scale of 699 — that’s the Score / 699 column. Next to it, the results also give an Équivalence ancien score: the same performance expressed on the older TEF scale, which is the scale IRCC’s Express Entry conversion grid is built on.
IRCC is explicit about it: enter only the scores from the ancien score column, and don’t enter the Score / 699 results in your Express Entry profile, because they “aren’t compatible with our system at this time.”
Which column for which program
- Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and French-language category draws): Équivalence ancien score.
- Post-graduation work permit and other programs that publish Score / 699 tables: Score / 699, using the table for your test date (before or after December 10, 2023).
- Anything else: check that program’s language page on canada.ca — don’t assume.
Why the numbers look so different
The two columns use different scales, so the same level has different numbers. NCLC 7 in each column, for example:
| Test and column | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancien score (Express Entry) | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| Score / 699 — tests after Dec 10, 2023 | 456–493 | 434–461 | 434–461 | 428–471 |
| Score / 699 — Oct 1, 2019 to Dec 10, 2023 | 450–499 | 450–499 | 450–499 | 450–499 |
This is why so many online charts disagree: a chart built on the /699 column will tell you NCLC 7 in listening starts at 434, while for Express Entry it starts at 249 on the ancien score. Both are right — for different programs.
The 2023–2024 temporary change
canada.ca notes that for French tests taken between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024, CCI Paris Île-de-France temporarily changed how NCLC levels were assigned, then reverted to the Express Entry grid used today. CCI contacted affected test takers with updated scores, and IRCC asked them to update their Express Entry profiles.
Check your level
Pick the column you’re entering below. For Express Entry, choose the ancien score option — the calculator uses the IRCC tables for each column. You can also see all ranges on the TEF score chart.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Which TEF column do I enter in my Express Entry profile?
Only the “Équivalence ancien score” column. IRCC says the Score / 699 results aren’t compatible with its system and shouldn’t be entered in an Express Entry profile.
Can I convert my Score / 699 into an ancien score myself?
No. Both numbers are printed on your TEF Canada results, so there is nothing to convert — read the column the program asks for. This site doesn’t estimate one column from the other.
Which programs use the Score / 699 column?
canada.ca publishes Score / 699 tables for programs such as the post-graduation work permit. Express Entry uses the ancien score column. Check the language page of the program you’re applying to.
What happens if I entered the wrong column?
canada.ca warns that IRCC may refuse your application if you don’t enter the correct scores. Correct your profile before you apply, and confirm the details on canada.ca.
Sources
- canada.ca — Express Entry: language test results — checked October 19, 2026
- canada.ca — PGWP: how to find your language level — checked October 18, 2026
Rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you submit an application.