What the certificate shows
The TCF Canada certificate reports each section separately: a score (100 to 699) and CEFR level for listening and reading, and a mark out of 20 with a CEFR level for writing and speaking. The certificate does not show NCLC levels; IRCC converts the results using the table below.
Official IRCC equivalency table
| NCLC / CLB | Listening (Compréhension de l'oral) | Reading (Compréhension de l'écrit) | Writing (Expression écrite) | Speaking (Expression orale) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 549 to 699 | 549 to 699 | 16 to 20 | 16 to 20 |
| 9 | 523 to 548 | 524 to 548 | 14 to 15 | 14 to 15 |
| 8 | 503 to 522 | 499 to 523 | 12 to 13 | 12 to 13 |
| 7 | 458 to 502 | 453 to 498 | 10 to 11 | 10 to 11 |
| 6 | 398 to 457 | 406 to 452 | 7 to 9 | 7 to 9 |
| 5 | 369 to 397 | 375 to 405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331 to 368 | 342 to 374 | 4 to 5 | 4 to 5 |
Source: IRCC language test equivalency charts (canada.ca). Results below NCLC 4 do not meet any program threshold. The current version on the IRCC website takes precedence.
The two thresholds people ask about most: NCLC 7 needs 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10 in writing and 10 in speaking; NCLC 9 needs 523 in listening, 524 in reading, 14 in writing and 14 in speaking. Each ability is converted separately, and programs usually require all four at a given level, so the lowest ability counts.
Minimum levels by program
| Program | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (first official language) | NCLC 7 in all four abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class | TEER 0 and 1 occupations: NCLC 7 in all four; TEER 2 and 3: NCLC 5 in all four |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | NCLC 5 in listening and speaking, NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
| French-language proficiency category draws (Express Entry) | NCLC 7 in all four abilities |
| Second official language (when English is your first) | NCLC 5 in all four abilities |
| Citizenship (ages 18 to 54) | NCLC 4 in listening and speaking |
CRS points for French
- First official language: points per ability. For an applicant without a spouse, CLB / NCLC 4 to 5 earns 6 points, 6 earns 9, 7 earns 17, 8 earns 23, 9 earns 31 and 10 or above earns 34; each band is slightly lower with an accompanying spouse.
- Second official language: per ability, CLB / NCLC 5 to 6 earns 1 point, 7 to 8 earns 3, and 9 or above earns 6.
- Additional points for French: NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities earns 50 points if English is CLB 5 or higher in all four, and 25 points if English is CLB 4 or lower or not tested.
IRCC adjusts CRS rules; the values published on canada.ca take precedence.
Setting a target
For NCLC 7, writing and speaking need 10 out of 20, listening needs 458 and reading needs 453. After you submit writing or speaking practice, TCFgo's AI scoring gives a mark out of 20 with the matching NCLC level, so you can read your distance to the target straight off the table; full listening and reading mock tests also return an estimated NCLC level.