TCF Canada Score Chart: Scores to NCLC / CLB Levels (2026)
After the TCF Canada exam you get four raw scores (listening, reading, speaking, writing), but Canadian immigration uses NCLC / CLB levels. This guide gives you one chart that converts each skill's score range into its level, and spells out exactly what NCLC 7 (the most common immigration line) requires. The chart is compiled from IRCC's official equivalency table; always defer to the official source.
TCF Canada to NCLC / CLB converter
Enter your four TCF Canada scores to get the NCLC / CLB level of each ability, your overall level (the lowest of the four) and how many points each ability needs for the next level. Bands follow IRCC’s TCF Canada equivalency table (checked 2026-09-27). It runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
Three things to know first
- NCLC is CLB. NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French name for the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) scale: same levels, identical numbers. IRCC reports French results as NCLC and English as CLB; NCLC 7 = CLB 7.
- Each skill is scored separately. Listening, reading, speaking and writing each read against their own column, and the thresholds differ (e.g. for NCLC 7, listening needs 458 but reading only 453).
- Your weakest skill decides your level. To claim a level you must reach it in all four skills; one low skill pulls your whole result down to that skill's level.
How the scoring works
Listening and reading use a 100–699 point scale; speaking and writing use a 0–20 scale. The chart below starts at NCLC 4 (immigration usually needs at least NCLC 5–7); below NCLC 4 falls into NCLC 1–3, which generally doesn't meet immigration language requirements.
TCF Canada score → NCLC / CLB chart
| NCLC / CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | CEFR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 | C1–C2 |
| NCLC 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 | C1 |
| NCLC 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 | B2 |
| NCLC 7 · common immigration line | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 | B2 |
| NCLC 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 | B1 |
| NCLC 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 | B1 |
| NCLC 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 | A2 |
How does CEFR map to it?
If you're more familiar with CEFR (A1–C2), a rough guide (for understanding only, not used for immigration scoring): A2 ≈ NCLC 4; B1 ≈ NCLC 5–6; B2 ≈ NCLC 7–8; C1 ≈ NCLC 9; C1–C2 ≈ NCLC 10+. Immigration recognizes only NCLC / CLB levels; CEFR is a reference.
What TCF Canada score is NCLC 7 / CLB 7?
You need at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10 in speaking and 10 in writing, and you must reach the line in all four skills to count as NCLC 7 overall. NCLC 7 is the threshold most commonly cited for French immigration paths (such as Express Entry French points); see the next question.
What level do I actually need for immigration?
It depends on the program. Under Express Entry, French at NCLC 7 or higher typically earns meaningful French bonus points; programs like Quebec's have their own tables. For the exact level and points a given program requires, defer to IRCC and the program's official rules; this page only converts scores, it doesn't replace official requirements. For how French fits Canadian immigration, see TCF Canada & Express Entry French points; if you're still choosing, see TCF vs TEF Canada; for what CLB 7 actually means and the TEF thresholds, see what level is CLB 7 / NCLC 7.
What's the maximum TCF Canada score, and how long are results valid?
Listening and reading are each out of 699; speaking and writing are each out of 20. TCF Canada results are valid for 2 years; for Canadian immigration, results usually must be within that 2-year window at submission (confirm with IRCC). For the exam format and registration, see What is TCF Canada and the registration guide.