TEF Canada to NCLC
TEF Canada is the French-language test accepted for Canadian PR. Enter your module scores to see your NCLC level (the French equivalent of CLB) and the Express Entry CRS points those scores unlock — including the 50-point French-speaker bonus.
Full TEF Canada to NCLC conversion table
| NCLC | Compréhension écrite (R) | Compréhension orale (L) | Expression écrite (W) | Expression orale (S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 263-300 | 316-360 | 393-450 | 393-450 |
| NCLC 9 | 248-262 | 298-315 | 371-392 | 371-392 |
| NCLC 8 | 233-247 | 280-297 | 349-370 | 349-370 |
| NCLC 7 | 207-232 | 249-279 | 310-348 | 310-348 |
| NCLC 6 | 181-206 | 217-248 | 271-309 | 271-309 |
| NCLC 5 | 151-180 | 181-216 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| NCLC 4 | 121-150 | 145-180 | 181-225 | 181-225 |
Frequently asked questions
What is NCLC and how does it differ from CLB?
NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French equivalent of CLB. Both scales run from 1 to 12 and are directly comparable — NCLC 9 in French carries the same CRS value as CLB 9 in English.
What TEF Canada score do I need for NCLC 7?
Reading: 207-232, Writing: 310-348, Listening: 249-279, Speaking: 310-348. All four at NCLC 7+ unlocks the 25-point French bonus. All four at NCLC 7+ plus CLB 5+ in English unlocks the 50-point bilingual bonus.
Can I use TEF Canada for Express Entry if I'm applying as an English speaker?
Yes — TEF Canada can be used as your SECOND language. CLB 5+ in English (your first) + NCLC 5+ in French (your second via TEF) gets you 1 extra point per ability (3 at NCLC 7-8, 6 at NCLC 9+).
What's the French-speaker bonus for Express Entry?
There are two bonuses: (1) 25 points if you have NCLC 7+ in all four French modules but CLB 4 or lower in English; (2) 50 points if you have NCLC 7+ in all four French modules AND CLB 5+ in all four English modules. The 50-point bilingual bonus is one of the biggest point boosts in Express Entry.
How long are TEF Canada results valid?
TEF Canada results are valid for 2 years from the test date for IRCC applications.
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