TCF Canada guide · updated
How the TCF Canada is scored: score bands and NCLC levels
You don’t “pass” the TCF Canada: it measures your level in four tests, and IRCC converts each score into an NCLC level, the French counterpart of the CLB. Here is exactly how, with the scores you need.
The four parts of the TCF Canada
The TCF Canada is the version of the Test de connaissance du français accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry and citizenship. The whole exam is in French. All four tests are mandatory and take 2 h 47 min in total.
| Test | Format | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 39 multiple-choice questions | 35 min | out of 699 |
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 39 multiple-choice questions | 60 min | out of 699 |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 3 tasks | 60 min | out of 20 |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 3 tasks, face to face with an examiner | 12 min | out of 20 |
In listening and reading, questions range from level A1 to C2: the first ones are easy, the last ones very demanding. Each recording is played only once. Writing and speaking are marked on a 0 to 20 scale.
The official table: from TCF score to NCLC level
IRCC publishes a conversion table. For each test, find the row your score falls in: that is your NCLC level for that skill.
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Source: IRCC, Express Entry — language test results (checked on October 13, 2026). Listening and reading scored out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20.
The bands differ between listening and reading: NCLC 7 requires 458 in listening but 453 in reading. And a single point matters: 457 in listening is NCLC 6.
To convert your own scores, use the NCLC calculator.
The trap: IRCC does not average your scores
This is the most common mistake. A candidate can have excellent scores and still lose the French points because of one test. Example:
| Test | Score | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 600 / 699 | NCLC 10 |
| Reading | 600 / 699 | NCLC 10 |
| Speaking | 12 / 20 | NCLC 8 |
| Writing | 9 / 20 | NCLC 6 |
This candidate gets no French bonus points and cannot be invited in French-language draws, despite two NCLC 10s: both require NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills. The same rule applies to the Federal Skilled Worker minimum when French is your first official language.
In practice: work on your weakest skill first. It is often a productive skill, where a single point separates NCLC 6 (9/20) from NCLC 7 (10/20).
Which level should you aim for?
- French bonus in Express Entry: NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills, for 25 or 50 extra points.
- French-language proficiency draws: NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills.
- Federal Skilled Worker, with French as your first official language: NCLC 7 minimum in all four skills.
- Canadian citizenship: NCLC 4 in speaking and listening.
Above the minimum, every level adds CRS points: see how many CRS points French adds.
Before you book the TCF Canada
Measure your level in the real format.
Module 1 is free, with no sign-up: exam format, NCLC scale and strategies, explained in English. The mock exam covers all four tests in the official timing and converts your results to NCLC.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TCF Canada scored out of 699?
Yes for listening and reading, scored from 0 to 699. Writing and speaking are scored from 0 to 20.
What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 7?
At least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10/20 in writing and 10/20 in speaking, according to IRCC’s conversion table.
Does IRCC average the four tests?
No. Each skill is assessed separately. One skill below NCLC 7 is enough to lose the French bonus points and access to French-language draws.
Can you fail the TCF Canada?
There is no pass or fail: you get a score for each test. Your immigration program sets the minimum level you need.
Sources
This topic is also covered in a short video (in French) on our TikTok account @prepatcfcanada.