TEF Canada score chart
TEF Canada score chart: TEF scores to NCLC levels
IRCC converts each TEF Canada score into an NCLC level (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, the French equivalent of the CLB). This is the full table for the four skills, as IRCC uses it for Express Entry.
Enter your scores in the calculatorTEF Canada to NCLC equivalency table
| NCLC level | Speakingexpression oraleout of 450 | Listeningcompréhension de l’oralout of 360 | Readingcompréhension de l’écritout of 300 | Writingexpression écriteout of 450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 393–450 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 |
| NCLC 9 | 371–392 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 |
| NCLC 8 | 349–370 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 |
| NCLC 7 | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| NCLC 6 | 271–309 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 |
| NCLC 5 | 226–270 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 |
| NCLC 4 | 181–225 | 145–180 | 121–150 | 181–225 |
IRCC publishes TEF Canada cut-offs from NCLC 4 to NCLC 10 and above. A score below the NCLC 4 range is below NCLC 4.
TEF Canada score for CLB 7
For CLB 7 (NCLC 7) you need at least 310/450 in speaking, 249/360 in listening, 207/300 in reading and 310/450 in writing. One weak skill is enough to miss it, so check each one.
Enter your scores in the calculatorCRS points per skill for each NCLC level
Express Entry gives points per skill. If French is your first official language, each skill can earn up to 34 points (32 with a partner). If it is your second official language, each skill earns up to 6 points, capped at 24 in total (22 with a partner).
| NCLC level per skill | First language, no partner | First language, with partner | Second language |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 34 | 32 | 6 |
| NCLC 9 | 31 | 29 | 6 |
| NCLC 8 | 23 | 22 | 3 |
| NCLC 7 | 17 | 16 | 3 |
| NCLC 6 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| NCLC 4 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Below NCLC 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
On top of the points per skill, Express Entry adds 25 points if you have NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills and either no English test or CLB 4 or lower in English. It adds 50 points if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TEF Canada score for NCLC 7?
Speaking 310, listening 249, reading 207 and writing 310, according to IRCC’s equivalency table.
Are NCLC and CLB the same?
They are the two scales of the same benchmark: NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is used for French and CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) for English. NCLC 7 and CLB 7 describe the same level.
What are the maximum TEF Canada scores?
Speaking and writing are scored out of 450, listening out of 360 and reading out of 300, on the scale IRCC uses.
Is NCLC 7 enough for Express Entry?
NCLC 7 in all four skills is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and it earns the additional points for French. Other programs have other minimums, and higher levels earn more CRS points.
Sources
Official IRCC pages, checked on October 8, 2026. IRCC last updated them on June 22, 2026:
We are not IRCC and this is not legal advice. IRCC can change its rules at any time: always confirm on IRCC’s website before you submit your profile.