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TEF Canada to NCLC Calculator
Enter your four TEF Canada scores to see your NCLC level in each skill. Use the “Équivalence ancien score” on your results, not the score out of 699. NCLC 7 needs at least 249 in Listening, 207 in Reading and 310 in Writing and Speaking, and NCLC 7 in all four skills earns the French bonus of up to 50 CRS points in Express Entry.
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- Score to enter
- Équivalence ancien score, not the score out of 699
- NCLC 7
- L 249, R 207, W 310, S 310 or higher
- NCLC 9
- L 298, R 248, W 371, S 371 or higher
- French bonus
- NCLC 7+ in all four skills: 50 points (25 without CLB 5 English)
- Validity
- 2 years for Express Entry
| Skill | Score | NCLC | Points |
|---|
Uses IRCC’s Express Entry chart for TEF Canada (Équivalence ancien score), NCLC 5 to 10. Points are second-language CRS points, which assume English is your first official language and you apply alone.
How to use the calculator
- Open your TEF Canada results. For each skill you will see a score out of 699 and an “Équivalence ancien score”.
- Enter the Équivalence ancien score for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- Choose your English level. The French bonus is 50 points if your English test shows CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, and 25 points if it does not.
- Read your result. You see the NCLC level for each skill, the second-language points it earns, and whether you reach NCLC 7 in all four.
The calculator runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
TEF Canada to NCLC chart
| NCLC level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 | 393–450 |
| NCLC 9 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 | 371–392 |
| NCLC 8 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 | 349–370 |
| NCLC 7 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 | 310–348 |
| NCLC 6 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 | 271–309 |
| NCLC 5 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 | 226–270 |
IRCC converts each skill on its own, so a very high Reading score cannot make up for a low Speaking score. For levels below NCLC 5, check IRCC’s chart.
Which TEF score should you enter?
Your TEF Canada results show two numbers for each skill. For Express Entry, IRCC says to enter only the Équivalence ancien score in your profile, whatever date you took the test. Reading the score out of 699 against the chart above gives the wrong NCLC level.
Some other IRCC pages, such as the one for post-graduation work permits, list a separate chart on the 0 to 699 scale. That chart is not used for Express Entry.
What your NCLC level is worth in Express Entry
- French bonus: NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills earns 50 points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, or 25 points if it is not.
- Second-language points: 1 point per skill at NCLC 5 or 6, 3 at NCLC 7 or 8, and 6 at NCLC 9 or higher, up to 24 points (22 with a spouse or partner).
- French-language rounds: NCLC 7 in all four skills is also the level IRCC uses for its French-language proficiency rounds.
- French as your main language: if French is your first official language, the program minimums apply in French. The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs NCLC 7 in every skill.
Example: what NCLC 7 adds
A single applicant with English at CLB 9 scores 260 in Listening, 215 in Reading, 320 in Writing and 330 in Speaking. Every skill is NCLC 7, so the applicant gains the 50-point French bonus and 3 second-language points in each of the four skills: 62 points in total, plus a place in French-language rounds.
Raising every skill to NCLC 9 would add 12 more second-language points, but the bonus stays at 50. For most people the big step is reaching NCLC 7 in all four skills.
If one skill is below NCLC 7
One weak skill is enough to miss the bonus. Find the skill furthest from its NCLC 7 score and give it most of your time:
- Listening and Reading improve with timed practice on TEF-style questions and with reviewing every mistake.
- Writing and Speaking need feedback on your own answers. Without it, the same errors repeat at each attempt.
- Retake only when ready. A retake costs the full fee again, so book once your practice scores are at NCLC 7 in every skill.
How long are TEF Canada results valid?
For Express Entry, your results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. If your profile is close to that limit, plan your next test date before the results expire.
IRCC also accepts TCF Canada for French. The two tests use different score scales, so this calculator is for TEF Canada only.
This calculator is general information, not immigration advice. IRCC decides every application, and its rules can change.
Official sources
- Express Entry: language test results (IRCC)
- Language test equivalency charts (IRCC)
- Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (IRCC)
Frequently asked questions
What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?
What TEF Canada score is NCLC 9?
Which TEF score do I enter in my Express Entry profile?
How many CRS points does NCLC 7 in French give?
How long are TEF Canada results valid for Express Entry?
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