TCF Canada Score to CLB/NCLC Converter
Enter your TCF Canada scores for all four skills. Get your NCLC/CLB level for each section, your effective Express Entry level, and your French bonus CRS points.
Enter Your TCF Canada Scores
Listening and Reading use a 0–699 scale. Writing and Speaking use a 0–20 scale.
Official IRCC TCF Canada → CLB/NCLC Conversion Table
Last verified against IRCC published table: May 2026.
| CLB / NCLC | Compréhension orale Listening (0–699) | Compréhension écrite Reading (0–699) | Expression écrite Writing (0–20) | Expression orale Speaking (0–20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
| CLB 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6–6 | 6–6 |
| CLB 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| CLB 7EE min | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| CLB 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| CLB 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| CLB 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
How TCF Canada Scoring Works
TCF Canada uses an adaptive difficulty format — questions get progressively harder as you answer correctly. This means the raw score is not simply “number of correct answers” but reflects the difficulty level of the questions you reached. The final score for Listening and Reading sits on a 0–699 scale. Writing and Speaking are graded by trained examiners on a 0–20 scale.
IRCC converts each skill score independently using the official table above. Your effective NCLC for Express Entry is the lowest of the four CLB levels. All four skills must reach NCLC 7 to unlock the French bonus.
TCF Canada vs. TEF Canada: Which Is Right for You?
| TCF Canada | TEF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Adaptive (harder as you go) | Fixed difficulty |
| Duration | ~3h 27min | ~3h 10min |
| Writing/Speaking | 0–20 scale | 0–450 scale |
| Listening/Reading | 0–699 scale | 0–360 / 0–300 scale |
| Accepted by IRCC | Yes | Yes |
Both exams produce equivalent CLB/NCLC scores for IRCC purposes. Choose based on which format suits your test-taking style, not which is “easier”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert my TCF Canada score to CLB?
TCF Canada Listening and Reading are scored out of 699. Writing and Speaking are scored out of 20. Use the official IRCC conversion table: for example, a Listening score of 458–502 = CLB 7, and a Writing score of 10–11 = CLB 7.
What TCF Canada score do I need for Express Entry?
You need a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four skills. For CLB 7: Listening ≥458, Reading ≥453, Writing ≥10, Speaking ≥10.
Is TCF Canada scored out of 20 or out of 699?
It depends on the skill. Listening and Reading are scored on a 0–699 scale. Writing and Speaking are scored on a 0–20 scale by two examiners. Both scales are converted independently to CLB levels.
What is the difference between TCF Canada and TCF Québec?
TCF Canada is accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and most federal programs. TCF Québec (also called TEFAQ or TEF Québec depending on the exam provider) is used for Quebec's immigration programs like the CSQ. You need to choose based on which province or program you are targeting.
How many CRS bonus points do I get for French ability with TCF Canada?
If all four NCLC levels are 7 or above and your English CLB is 5+, you receive 50 bonus CRS points. If your English is CLB 4 or below, you still get 25 points. Any skill below NCLC 7 = 0 bonus points.
Can I use TCF Canada for Federal Skilled Worker?
Yes. TCF Canada is one of the designated language tests accepted by IRCC for Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
Ready to reach your CLB target?
FrenchSprint gives you AI-graded practice for all four TCF Canada skills — adaptive questions, examiner-style feedback, and real-time CLB tracking.
Also try: TEF Canada CLB Converter · CRS Calculator with French Bonus