TCF Canada to NCLC
TCF Canada uses asymmetric scoring — 0 to 699 for Reading and Listening, 0 to 20 for Writing and Speaking. This calculator handles both and converts to NCLC (the French equivalent of CLB) for Express Entry.
Full TCF Canada to NCLC conversion table
Reading & Listening (0-699 scale)
| NCLC | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 549-699 | 549-699 |
| NCLC 9 | 524-548 | 523-548 |
| NCLC 8 | 499-523 | 503-522 |
| NCLC 7 | 453-498 | 458-502 |
| NCLC 6 | 406-452 | 398-457 |
| NCLC 5 | 375-405 | 369-397 |
| NCLC 4 | 342-374 | 331-368 |
Writing & Speaking (0-20 scale)
| NCLC | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 16-20 | 16-20 |
| NCLC 9 | 14-15 | 14-15 |
| NCLC 8 | 12-13 | 12-13 |
| NCLC 7 | 10-11 | 10-11 |
| NCLC 6 | 7-9 | 7-9 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 4-5 | 4-5 |
Frequently asked questions
Is TCF Canada accepted for Express Entry?
Yes. TCF Canada is one of two French tests accepted by IRCC (the other is TEF Canada). Both convert to the NCLC scale (French equivalent of CLB) and both count for the French-speaker bonuses in Express Entry.
What TCF Canada score do I need for NCLC 7?
Reading 453-498, Listening 458-502, Writing 10-11, Speaking 10-11. All four modules at NCLC 7+ unlocks the 25-point French bonus (if English is below CLB 5) or the 50-point bilingual bonus (if English is at CLB 5+).
What's the difference between TCF Canada and TEF Canada?
Both convert to NCLC and are equally accepted by IRCC. TCF Canada is often cheaper and more widely available internationally; TEF Canada is more established in Canada. Pick whichever has test centers near you with earlier dates.
How is TCF Writing and Speaking scored?
TCF Writing and Speaking use a 0-20 scale (not 0-699 like Reading and Listening). Each module is graded by trained raters against the CEFR framework and the CECRL (Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues).
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