What TEF or TCF Canada score do I need?
Choose your exam and your goal. You’ll get the lowest score that works in each skill, what it’s worth in CRS points, and how far you are now.
Add your current scores to see your gap in each skill.
| 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.
TEF and TCF Canada score needed for each CLB level
For CLB 7 you need at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and 10 in speaking on TCF Canada, or 249, 207, 310 and 310 on TEF Canada (ancien score). For CLB 9 it’s 523, 524, 14 and 14 on TCF Canada, or 298, 248, 371 and 371 on TEF Canada. Each skill converts on its own, and your lowest skill sets your level.
| CLB | Listening/ 699 | Reading/ 699 | Writing/ 20 | Speaking/ 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549 | 549 | 16 | 16 |
| 9 | 523 | 524 | 14 | 14 |
| 8 | 503 | 499 | 12 | 12 |
| 7 | 458 | 453 | 10 | 10 |
| 6 | 398 | 406 | 7 | 7 |
| 5 | 369 | 375 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331 | 342 | 4 | 4 |
| CLB | Listening/ 360 | Reading/ 300 | Writing/ 450 | Speaking/ 450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 316 | 263 | 393 | 393 |
| 9 | 298 | 248 | 371 | 371 |
| 8 | 280 | 233 | 349 | 349 |
| 7 | 249 | 207 | 310 | 310 |
| 6 | 217 | 181 | 271 | 271 |
| 5 | 181 | 151 | 226 | 226 |
| 4 | 145 | 121 | 181 | 181 |
Minimum score to reach each level; CLB and NCLC are the same scale. The highlighted CLB 7 row is the line for the French bonus and French-language draws. Source: IRCC language test equivalency charts.
How it works
For NCLC 7 (CLB 7) on TCF Canada you need at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and speaking. On TEF Canada it’s 249, 207, 310 and 310 (ancien score). NCLC 7 in all four skills is the line for the French bonus and French-language draws.
For NCLC 9 the minimums are 523, 524, 14 and 14 on TCF Canada, or 298, 248, 371 and 371 on TEF Canada (listening, reading, writing, speaking). With French as your first official language, NCLC 9 in all four is worth 124 CRS points if you’re single (116 with a spouse), against 68 (64) at NCLC 7.
IRCC converts each skill on its own and never averages them, so one weak skill caps your level. Enter your current scores and we’ll show the gap in each skill and the one furthest from your goal. Minimums from IRCC’s equivalency charts, points from its CRS criteria.
- ✓ Minimum score per skill
- ✓ NCLC 4–10, +50 bonus, draws or a CRS target
- ✓ Your gap and furthest skill
- ✓ Shareable link
Common questions
Listening 458, reading 453, writing 10 and speaking 10 (writing and speaking are out of 20). You need all four at or above these to be NCLC 7 overall.
Listening 298, reading 248, writing 371 and speaking 371, using the “Équivalence ancien score” on your attestation, not the /699 score.
TEF Canada has no pass mark: IRCC converts each skill to an NCLC level. The key line is NCLC 7 in all four skills (249, 207, 310 and 310 ancien score), which opens the French bonus and French-language draws. Each level above that adds core CRS points.
NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills (458, 453, 10 and 10) plus CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills. With no English test (or English below CLB 5), the same French scores add 25 points instead.
No. IRCC converts each skill separately and never averages them. The French bonus and French-language draws need NCLC 7 in every skill, so your lowest skill decides.