NCLC Readyby Stringspace

TEF Canada score chart & NCLC calculator

Enter your four TEF Canada scores to see your NCLC (CLB) level for each skill, your weakest skill, and how many points you still need for NCLC 7 — the threshold for Express Entry French-language draws.

For Express Entry, use the “Équivalence ancien score” column. Many charts online quote the Score / 699 ranges instead — NCLC 7 in listening is 434–461 on /699 but 249–279 on the ancien score. Why there are two columns →
Which test did you take?
Which score are you entering?

Your TEF Canada results show two columns. For Express Entry, IRCC only accepts the “Équivalence ancien score” column — not “Score / 699”.

Your scores
/ 360
/ 300
/ 450
/ 450
Your English test result

Only used to estimate the CRS French bonus.

TEF Canada score chart (Express Entry)

These ranges use the “Équivalence ancien score” column, the only one IRCC accepts in Express Entry profiles.

TEF Canada — Équivalence ancien score → NCLC
NCLCSpeakingListeningReadingWriting
10+393–450316–360263–300393–450
9371–392298–315248–262371–392
8349–370280–297233–247349–370
7310–348249–279207–232310–348
6271–309217–248181–206271–309
5226–270181–216151–180226–270
4181–225145–180121–150181–225

Programs that use “Score / 699” (such as the post-graduation work permit) have different ranges:

TEF Canada — Score / 699, tests after December 10, 2023 → NCLC
NCLCSpeakingListeningReadingWriting
10+556–699546–699546–699558–699
9518–555503–545503–545512–557
8494–517462–502462–502472–511
7456–493434–461434–461428–471
6422–455393–433393–433379–427
5387–421352–392352–392330–378
4328–386306–351306–351268–329
TEF Canada — Score / 699, tests from October 1, 2019 to December 10, 2023 → NCLC
NCLCSpeakingListeningReadingWriting
10+566–699566–699566–699566–699
9533–565533–565533–565533–565
8500–532500–532500–532500–532
7450–499450–499450–499450–499
6400–449400–449400–449400–449
5350–399350–399350–399350–399
4300–349300–349300–349300–349

Which NCLC level do you need?

TEF Canada has no pass mark — each program sets its own minimum. Express Entry programs all read the ancien score column.

ProgramMinimum French levelScore column
Express Entry — French-language category drawsNCLC 7 in all four skills (and eligible for an Express Entry program)TEF ancien score / TCF Canada
Federal Skilled Worker (French as first official language)NCLC 7 in all four skillsTEF ancien score / TCF Canada
Canadian Experience Class — TEER 0 or 1 jobNCLC 7 in all four skillsTEF ancien score / TCF Canada
Canadian Experience Class — TEER 2 or 3 jobNCLC 5 in all four skillsTEF ancien score / TCF Canada
Federal Skilled TradesNCLC 5 speaking and listening; NCLC 4 reading and writingTEF ancien score / TCF Canada
Canadian citizenshipCLB / NCLC 4 in speaking and listeningCheck the accepted tests on canada.ca

Aiming lower than NCLC 7? See the TEF scores for CLB 5. Wondering what NCLC 7 means in practice? Read NCLC 7 French explained.

Worked examples

One skill below NCLC 7

TEF Canada — “Équivalence ancien score” column

Listening262NCLC 7
Reading215NCLC 7
Writing271NCLC 6
Speaking330NCLC 7

Not yet NCLC 7 in every skill — short by 39 in writing.

Writing decides the result: the other three skills already clear NCLC 7.

All four at NCLC 7 or higher

TEF Canada — “Équivalence ancien score” column

Listening280NCLC 8
Reading233NCLC 8
Writing349NCLC 8
Speaking349NCLC 8

NCLC 7+ in all four skills: meets the French category draw threshold.

Eligible for French-language category draws if you also qualify for an Express Entry program.

Common mistakes

  • Entering Score / 699 in Express Entry. canada.ca says to enter only the ancien score column, and that entering the wrong scores can lead to a refused application.
  • Using a /699 chart to check CLB 7. Many charts online, and some search summaries, show only the /699 ranges. Check which column a chart is built on before you trust it.
  • Looking only at your average. Programs set minimums per skill. One skill at NCLC 6 means you’re not at NCLC 7, whatever the other three are.
  • Letting results expire. For Express Entry, results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence.

Related

Ancien score vs Score / 699

What the two columns on your results mean.

TEF Canada exam format

Sections, timing, results and retakes.

TEF vs TCF

Which French test suits your plan?

Free sample test

12 TEF-style reading questions.

Frequently asked questions

What TEF Canada score do I need for CLB 7 (NCLC 7)?

Using the “Équivalence ancien score” column that Express Entry accepts: speaking 310, listening 249, reading 207 and writing 310 are the minimums for NCLC 7.

Should I use “Équivalence ancien score” or “Score / 699”?

For Express Entry, IRCC says to enter only the “Équivalence ancien score” column and not the “Score / 699” results. Some other programs, such as the post-graduation work permit, publish Score / 699 tables instead.

Is NCLC the same as CLB?

NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French counterpart of CLB. NCLC 7 is equivalent to CLB 7.

Is there a pass mark for TEF Canada?

No. TEF Canada has no pass or fail. Each program sets its own minimum NCLC level — for example NCLC 7 in all four skills for Express Entry French-language draws.

How many CRS points do I get for French?

Under the CRS criteria on canada.ca, NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills adds 25 points, or 50 points if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills. In an April 2026 Express Entry consultation IRCC said it is assessing removing or changing these points, so check canada.ca before relying on them.

Sources

Rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you submit an application.