For CLB 7 (NCLC 7) in French, TCF Canada needs at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10 in writing and 10 in speaking. TEF Canada needs 249 listening, 207 reading, 310 writing and 310 speaking, using the "Équivalence ancien score" column. You must reach NCLC 7 in all four skills separately; IRCC does not average them.
Key takeaways
- TCF Canada NCLC 7: 458 listening, 453 reading, 10 writing, 10 speaking.
- TEF Canada NCLC 7: 249 / 207 / 310 / 310, using the ancien score only.
- Every skill is converted on its own. One skill at NCLC 6 means no French bonus.
- NCLC 7 in all four adds +25 or +50 CRS and opens French category draws.
On this page
For CLB 7 in French (IRCC calls it NCLC 7), you need 458 / 453 / 10 / 10 on TCF Canada (listening / reading / writing / speaking), or 249 / 207 / 310 / 310 on TEF Canada using the "Équivalence ancien score". You need that level in all four skills, each one on its own. There is no averaging.
That is the whole answer. The rest of this page helps you read your own result correctly, and avoid the two mistakes that cost people points.
What are the NCLC 7 minimums for TCF and TEF Canada?
#| Skill | TCF Canada | TEF Canada (ancien score) |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 458 / 699 | 249 / 360 |
| Reading | 453 / 699 | 207 / 300 |
| Writing | 10 / 20 | 310 / 450 |
| Speaking | 10 / 20 | 310 / 450 |
Both exams land on the same NCLC scale. NCLC 7 on TCF Canada is worth exactly the same to IRCC as NCLC 7 on TEF Canada. If you are still choosing, our TEF vs TCF comparison walks through the real differences.
Where do your scores land?
#Move the sliders to your scores (or your practice-test scores). Each skill converts separately, just like IRCC does it.
Took TEF Canada instead? The CLB calculator handles both exams, and the TEF score converter reads your attestation line by line.
Can a strong skill make up for a weak one?
#No. IRCC converts each skill on its own. Your NCLC level for French bonus points is only as high as your lowest skill.
- TCF: Listening 470, Reading 460, Writing 10, Speaking 11
- Lowest skill is NCLC 7
- French bonus points: yes
- TCF: Listening 540, Reading 530, Writing 9, Speaking 14
- Writing 9 is below NCLC 7
- French bonus points: no
The second person has the "better" scores overall. They still miss out, because one writing point is below the line. This is why people plan their study around their weakest skill, not their average.
Which TEF Canada number does IRCC use?
#Your TEF Canada attestation shows two sets of numbers: a score out of 699 and an "Équivalence ancien score". IRCC uses only the ancien score: listening out of 360, reading out of 300, writing and speaking out of 450.
One more TEF detail. CCI Paris Île-de-France temporarily changed TEF scoring for tests taken between Dec 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024, then reverted it. If you tested in that window, you should have been emailed updated scores, and you must update your Express Entry profile with them.
What does NCLC 7 actually get you?
#NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills does two things for an Express Entry profile.
- Extra CRS points. +25 if your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test). +50 if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills.
- French category draws. You become eligible for French-language proficiency draws. Cut-offs reported by third parties in 2026 have mostly sat around 380–420, which is not an official figure but is usually well below general draws.
NCLC 7+ in French plus CLB 5+ in English is the top tier: 50 additional points, and you’re eligible for French-language draws.
For the full picture of how those draws work, read what NCLC 7 gets you in French draws, or check yourself with the draw eligibility checker.
The bonus is not the only French points. NCLC 7 also earns first- or second-language points per skill. Our guide to how many CRS points French is worth has the full IRCC tables, and the CRS language points calculator adds it all up.
Is it worth aiming higher than NCLC 7?
#For the French bonus and category draws, NCLC 7 is the line that matters. Going higher can still add points elsewhere in CRS, so aim a little above the minimum if you can. It also gives you a cushion on test day, when nerves can cost a point.
| Level | TCF L / R / W / S | TEF L / R / W / S |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 6 | 398 / 406 / 7 / 7 | 217 / 181 / 271 / 271 |
| NCLC 7 | 458 / 453 / 10 / 10 | 249 / 207 / 310 / 310 |
| NCLC 8 | 503 / 499 / 12 / 12 | 280 / 233 / 349 / 349 |
Close to NCLC 7 but not there yet? A focused plan helps. Our NCLC 5 to 7 study plan is built around fixing the weakest skill first.
How far are you from NCLC 7?
#No mock scores yet? Tick what you can do in French for a rough level. NCLC 7 sits between a strong B1 and B2 on the European scale (see CEFR vs NCLC vs CLB).
- Listening—
- Reading—
- Writing—
- Speaking—
A rough self-estimate, not an official score. Only a TEF Canada or TCF Canada result counts for IRCC, and many people rate themselves higher or lower than an examiner would, especially in writing and speaking. CEFR ↔ NCLC matches are approximate.
Then see how long it takes to reach NCLC 7 from your level, or plug your hours into the study hours calculator.
Every skill has to reach its minimum. IRCC never averages them.
| Skill | Minimum |
|---|---|
| ListeningNCLC 7 | 458 / 699 |
| ReadingNCLC 7 | 453 / 699 |
| WritingNCLC 7 | 10 / 20 |
| SpeakingNCLC 7 | 10 / 20 |
Minimums from IRCC’s language test equivalency charts; points from IRCC’s CRS criteria. Language points only, not your full CRS score. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
Before you book your test
#Seats are the hard part in many cities. See which sessions are coming up, and what is open near you on the centres page.
- Myth
My average across the four skills is NCLC 7, so I get the bonus.
FactIRCC never averages. Each skill must reach NCLC 7 on its own.
- Myth
On TEF Canada, 458 in listening is NCLC 7.
Fact458 is the TCF Canada listening minimum. On TEF Canada it is 249, on the ancien score out of 360.
- Myth
NCLC 7 on TCF Canada is worth less than on TEF Canada.
FactBoth exams convert to the same NCLC scale. The same level earns the same points.
Check yourself
#Check yourself
1 of 4.What is the minimum TCF Canada writing score for NCLC 7?
2 of 4.What is the TEF Canada reading minimum for NCLC 7 (ancien score)?
3 of 4.TCF scores: listening 540, reading 530, writing 9, speaking 14. Do you get the NCLC 7 French bonus?
4 of 4.Your English is CLB 5 in all four and your French is NCLC 7 in all four. What is the French bonus?
Questions people ask
Yes. CLB is the English scale and NCLC is its French equivalent. IRCC treats NCLC 7 in French the same way as CLB 7 in English.
At least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10 in writing and 10 in speaking. You need all four at or above those minimums.
At least 249 listening, 207 reading, 310 writing and 310 speaking, using the "Équivalence ancien score" on your attestation, not the /699 score.
No. Each skill converts to NCLC on its own. If one skill is NCLC 6, you do not get the NCLC 7 French bonus, even if the others are much higher.
Neither is officially easier. Both convert to the same NCLC scale and give the same points. Most people choose based on format preference and which exam has a seat near them first.
Terms in this guide
- CRS French bonus
- Ancien score
- Score /699
- CLB
- French-language proficiency draw
- Attestation
- Category-based draw
- English tests accepted by IRCC
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.