If you scored NCLC 6 in even one French skill, you lose the whole +25/+50 French bonus and French-draw eligibility, because both need NCLC 7 in all four. For an English-first candidate that's about 52 CRS points; if French is your only or first language, it can be about 70–96 points and can even cost you Federal Skilled Worker eligibility. Most people close to the line should retake within 1–3 months, with focused work on the weak skill, and book the seat now because centres sell out.
Key takeaways
- The bonus is all or nothing: NCLC 7, 7, 7, 6 earns +0, not most of +50.
- English-first: about 52 CRS lost. French-only or French-first: about 70–96, plus possibly FSW eligibility.
- A few points short (TEF) or 1 point short (TCF /20): retake soon. 2+ levels short: study first.
- You can keep or enter your current result and update your profile when the new one arrives.
- Seats, not the waiting period, usually decide how fast you can retake. Watch dates now.
On this page
You opened your TEF Canada or TCF Canada results and one number is short: NCLC 7 in three skills, NCLC 6 in the fourth. It's one of the most common results, and one of the most frustrating, because IRCC doesn't average. This guide shows exactly what that one skill costs, how close you really are, and the quickest route to a result that counts.
- +0
- French bonus with one skill at NCLC 6
- ~52
- CRS lost, typical English-first applicant
- 1 point
- Gap from 9 to 10 on TCF writing or speaking
How many CRS points does NCLC 6 in one skill cost?
#Two IRCC rules make one weak skill expensive. The additional French points (+25, or +50 with English CLB 5+) need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills. And the French-language proficiency draws need, in IRCC's words, "a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities". Miss one skill and both disappear, along with any skill transferability points that depend on French.
| Your profile | French 7, 7, 7, 7 | French 7, 7, 7, 6 | Points lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| English first (CLB 9), French second | 12 second-language + 50 bonus = 62 | 10 second-language + 0 = 10 | −52 |
| French only, no English test | 68 core + 25 bonus + 38 transferability = 131 | 60 core + 0 + 0 = 60 | −71 |
| French first, English CLB 5 in all four | 68 + 4 + 50 + 38 = 160 | 60 + 4 + 0 + 0 = 64 | −96 |
How the numbers work: as a second language, NCLC 7 is worth 3 points per skill and NCLC 6 only 1. As a first language, NCLC 7 is worth 17 per skill and NCLC 6 only 9. Skill transferability (language with education, language with foreign work) starts only when all four first-language skills are at level 7. Full tables are in CRS points for French. Try your own levels here:
How close are you to NCLC 7?
#"NCLC 6" covers a wide band. Being 2 points short in TEF writing is a different problem from being 35 points short. Find your skill below:
| Skill | TEF NCLC 6 band | TEF NCLC 7 needs | TCF NCLC 6 band | TCF NCLC 7 needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 217–248 | 249 | 398–457 | 458 |
| Reading | 181–206 | 207 | 406–452 | 453 |
| Writing | 271–309 | 310 | 7–9 / 20 | 10 / 20 |
| Speaking | 271–309 | 310 | 7–9 / 20 | 10 / 20 |
- Top of the band (TEF within about 15 points; TCF 9/20 or within about 20 points in listening or reading): you're one good day away. A retake soon, with targeted practice, is usually the right call.
- Middle of the band: 4–8 weeks of focused work on that skill, then retake.
- Bottom of the band, or two skills short: your level isn't there yet. Study first, retake later. The NCLC 5 to 7 study plan is built for this.
Want the minimum score for a different goal, such as the +50 bonus or NCLC 9? Pick your exam and target below. Every level is also in the TEF Canada score chart and the NCLC 7 score guide.
Should you retake now or study first?
#Retake within 1–3 months. Your level is probably NCLC 7 on a good day. What usually moves the score is exam technique in that one skill: time management, task format, nerves. Book the next realistic seat now, and drill the weak skill daily until then. For fresh material, use the writing prompt generator or the speaking prompt generator.
Study first, for 2–4 months. A quick retake would likely give the same result and cost a full fee. Build the skill, then take a timed mock. Book when your mock scores clear NCLC 7 with a margin.
Grab a seat now and study around it. If your current result expires soon or a provincial deadline is close, the risk of having no seat is bigger than the risk of a second attempt. Read the centre's refund rules first.
Switching is allowed and sometimes smart. If you missed TCF speaking by one point, TEF's wider scale or longer tasks may suit you, or the reverse. The other exam may also have earlier seats near you. See TEF vs TCF Canada.
Whatever you choose, remember the rules: you resit all four skills on one day, IRCC won't combine skills from different sittings, and there's a minimum gap between attempts. The details are in TEF and TCF Canada retake rules, so we won't repeat them here. To check that your next result lands in time, use the result date estimator.
Each retake adds to the bill. See the total cost of reaching NCLC 7 to plan your budget.
How do you fix the skill that fell short?
#Spend most of your time on the weak skill, but keep one full mock every couple of weeks so the other three don't slip below 7 on retake day.
| Skill at NCLC 6 | Usual cause | What to do for the next 4–8 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Natural speed, one listen, losing the thread | 20–30 min of natural-speed audio daily; answer questions after one listen only; practise predicting from the question before the audio starts |
| Reading | Running out of time on the later texts | Timed sets; question first, then scan; cap time per question and move on |
| Writing | Missed task points, word count, or a stream of small errors | Two timed texts a week, corrected by a teacher or tutor; a five-minute end check; see common writing mistakes |
| Speaking | Short answers, long pauses, too few arguments | Daily timed speaking out loud; three ready arguments per topic; record and review; mock sessions with a person who pushes back |
For speaking, the speaking practice timer gives you prompts and real task timings. For TCF writing at 9/20, focus on task completion and clear linking words between your ideas.
Can you use your current result while you retake?
#Yes. A result with one skill at NCLC 6 still converts to CRS points, just fewer. You can enter it in your Express Entry profile now if it meets your program's minimum, and update the profile when the better result arrives. IRCC says you must update your profile when your situation changes, such as a new language test, and that updating doesn't change the date and time it received your profile, so you keep your place for tie-breaks.
- Keep your entries accurate. Enter the scores exactly as printed, from one attestation. For TEF, use the ancien score. See entering results in your profile.
- If you're invited before the new result arrives, you're assessed on what your profile says. IRCC's guidance is to update scores before applying, and to decline the invitation if you no longer meet the criteria.
- Watch the 2-year validity. Results must be under 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply. A retake also resets that clock.
If your permit is running out while you retake, read the French route for PGWP holders.
How do you rebook fast when centres sell out?
#From results day to a booked retake
- Day 1Find your gapPut your four scores into the CLB calculator and note how many points short you are.
- Day 1–2List every centre you can reachInclude both exams and the next city over. Check upcoming exam dates for both.
- Day 2Set seat alertsWatch 2–3 centres. Returned seats and new batches can appear any day, and they go in minutes.
- When a seat appearsBook, then plan backwardsPick the session that fits your gap: soon if you're close, later if you need more study. Make sure it meets the minimum gap.
- Weeks to the retakeTrain the weak skillDaily targeted practice, plus a full mock every two weeks.
If every session shows full, the sold-out strategy has five steps that work, and the earliest seat finder shows the soonest dates we track.
- Myth
NCLC 7, 7, 7, 6 gets me most of the +50.
FactNo. The bonus needs NCLC 7 in every skill. One skill at 6 gives +0.
- Myth
I can resit only my weak skill.
FactNot for Express Entry. You retake all four skills on one day, and IRCC uses one full result.
- Myth
My NCLC 6 result is useless.
FactIt still earns points and may meet your program's minimum. You can enter it now and update your profile later.
- Myth
I should wait until I feel completely ready before booking.
FactIf you're close, the next free seat is often weeks away. Booking now and studying toward the date is usually faster.
Check yourself
1 of 3.English CLB 9, French NCLC 8, 8, 7, 6. What French bonus do you get?
2 of 3.You scored 9/20 in TCF speaking. How far are you from NCLC 7?
3 of 3.You get a better result after entering the pool. What should you do?
Questions people ask
Possibly. It depends on your program and which language is first. If English is your first language and meets your program's minimum, the French result just earns fewer points. If French is your first language, NCLC 6 in any skill rules out the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
France Éducation international paused TCF writing and speaking re-marking requests for sessions from September 1, 2026, for about a year. For TEF, ask your centre about Le français des affaires' current process. In practice, a retake is often faster.
Usually yes. For a typical English-first applicant, moving one skill from NCLC 6 to 7 is worth about 52 CRS points and opens French-language draws. That's far more than most other single improvements.
IRCC sees the result you enter in your profile and upload with your application. Enter one valid result, accurately, and keep your profile updated.
TEF Canada results usually take 1–10 working days to about two weeks, and TCF Canada about 2–4 weeks, depending on the centre and format. See result times.
Only if the format suits your weak skill better or the other exam has an earlier seat. Both convert to the same NCLC scale and earn the same points.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria
- IRCC: Express Entry category-based selection (French-language proficiency)
- IRCC: Language requirements and test results for Express Entry
- IRCC: What to do while you wait in the Express Entry pool
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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