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TEF Canada score chart

IRCC converts each TEF Canada skill to an NCLC level using the "Équivalence ancien score", not the /699 score. NCLC 7 starts at 249 in listening (out of 360), 207 in reading (out of 300), and 310 in writing and 310 in speaking (out of 450). Each skill converts on its own, with no averaging.

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TEF Canada score chart: ancien score ranges for NCLC 4 to 10 in listening, reading, writing and speaking
TEF Canada ancien score ranges for each NCLC level, from IRCC's equivalency table.

In the TEF / TCF Canada exam

Enter the ancien score in Express Entry, never the /699 number. Writing and speaking need 310/450 each for NCLC 7.

TEF Canada score chart: the full chart as text

Ancien score ranges per NCLC level

NCLCListening /360Reading /300Writing /450Speaking /450
NCLC 10+316–360263–300393–450393–450
NCLC 9298–315248–262371–392371–392
NCLC 8280–297233–247349–370349–370
NCLC 7249–279207–232310–348310–348
NCLC 6217–248181–206271–309271–309
NCLC 5181–216151–180226–270226–270
NCLC 4145–180121–150181–225181–225
Below 40–1440–1200–1800–180

IRCC uses the ancien score column only. NCLC 10 includes everything above it.

NCLC 7 minimums

249
Listeningout of 360
207
Readingout of 300
310
Writingout of 450
310
Speakingout of 450

Ancien score, not /699

Your attestation shows two scores per skill: a /699 score and an "Équivalence ancien score". IRCC uses only the ancien score.

What NCLC 7 in all four unlocks

  • +25 CRS with English CLB 4 or lower, or no English test.
  • +50 CRS with English CLB 5+ in all four skills.
  • French-language category draws in Express Entry.

Go deeper

Cover of the free PDF: TEF Canada Preparation Guide 2026 Free PDF · 26 pagesTEF Canada Preparation Guide 2026Format, scoring, strategy for all four modules, model answers and an 8-week plan to NCLC 7 Guide · 5 min readTEF Canada score chart: every NCLC level from 4 to 10249, 207, 310, 310 is NCLC 7. Here is every other level.

Preparing for TEF or TCF Canada?

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Exam
IRCC accepts either. Twice the sessions.

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Questions

On the ancien score: 249 in listening, 207 in reading, 310 in writing and 310 in speaking. You need this in all four skills for the French CRS bonus.

The ancien score. IRCC's TEF Canada table is written against it: listening out of 360, reading out of 300, writing and speaking out of 450.

No. Each skill converts to an NCLC level separately. Your weakest skill decides whether you reach NCLC 7 in all four.

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