Guide TCF Canada

TCF Canada writing: getting from 9 to 10 out of 20 (NCLC 6 → NCLC 7)

In TCF Canada writing, 9/20 gives NCLC 6 and 10/20 gives NCLC 7. That point separates B1 and B2: complete, correct texts are not enough; you need developed ideas, varied logical links and more precise language, without ever leaving the word limits.

Key facts

In France Éducation international's chart, 6 to 9 out of 20 = B1 and 10 to 13 out of 20 = B2. For IRCC, 7 to 9 = NCLC 6 and 10 to 11 = NCLC 7. So the missing point is the step from B1 to B2 in the raters' eyes.
Scoring: two independent raters give each task a CEFR level, combined into a score out of 20 (10–11/20 = NCLC 7). On computer, the first rating may be done by the FIDELIA marking-assistance system; the second is still human.

Official sources: FEI — scores and CEFR levels · IRCC — language test results (Express Entry) · TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026) · France Éducation international — TCF Canada

Practise now

No sign-up. An NCLC estimate as a range, never an official result.

Write a text and see what is missing for the next level

First: lose no points on form

Before language level even comes into it, some mistakes can get a task rated “below A1”:

a word count out of range (60–120, 120–150, 120–180);
an off-topic text or a task not done;
sentences copied from the prompt or the documents;
a memorised text;
an answer left on the scratch paper.

Official sources: TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026) · Official writing sample test

B1 and B2 in practice

According to the CEFR global scale (Council of Europe), a B1 user can deal with most situations, produce simple connected speech on familiar topics, describe an experience and briefly give reasons for an opinion. A B2 user can interact with enough fluency and spontaneity to talk with native speakers without strain on either side, express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects, and explain a viewpoint, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Official source: Council of Europe — CEFR global scale

Task by task: what moves you from B1 to B2

Task	What you often read at 9/20	What reads like B2
1 · Message	Each point dealt with in one sentence, sentences stacked	Each point developed with a detail; register suited to the recipient
2 · Article / letter	Long story, opinion in one final sentence	Short story, argued comment, clear purpose (request, proposal)
3 · Two viewpoints	Copied or overlong summary, generic opinion	Short, rephrased summary, opinion with two arguments and an example

This is our reading of the published criteria and the CEFR; the raters' detailed grid is not public.

A worked example (Task 1)

Topic: Task 1, opening a bank account (an original topic from our bank). The B1 version was written for this page; the NCLC 7 answer comes from our bank. No official rater has marked either.

Votre ami Karim vient de s'installer à Montréal et veut ouvrir un compte bancaire. Vous avez ouvert le vôtre l'année dernière. Écrivez un message à Karim pour lui expliquer comment vous avez fait, quels documents il faut apporter et lui donner un conseil. (60 mots minimum/120 mots maximum)

Typical B1-level version67 words (official count)

Salut Karim,

Tu veux ouvrir un compte à la banque. Moi, j'ai ouvert mon compte l'année dernière. C'était facile. Je suis allé à la banque près de chez moi et j'ai parlé avec une dame. Il faut apporter ton passeport et une facture avec ton adresse. Mon conseil : regarde les frais, parce que c'est différent dans chaque banque. Moi, je paie 4 $ par mois. Bonne chance !

Sami

Aimed at NCLC 789 words (official count)

Salut Karim,

Tu m'as demandé comment ouvrir un compte bancaire. L'année dernière, j'ai pris rendez-vous à la Banque du Fleuve, près de chez moi. La conseillère a été très gentille et le rendez-vous a duré trente minutes. Tu dois apporter une pièce d'identité avec photo, par exemple ton passeport, et une preuve d'adresse, comme ton bail ou une facture. Mon conseil : compare les frais mensuels avant de choisir. Moi, je paie 4 $ par mois, mais certaines banques demandent 15 $. Si tu veux, je peux t'accompagner samedi.

À bientôt,

Sami

What changes

All three parts of the prompt are developed: how (appointment, length), which documents (with examples: “par exemple ton passeport”, “comme ton bail”), a justified piece of advice.
The advice is argued: $4 compared with $15. In the B1 version the advice is given but not really supported.
Sentences are linked (mais, si, par exemple) instead of being stacked one after another (“C'était facile. Je suis allé…”).
The message really speaks to Karim: the NCLC 7 answer ends with a concrete offer (“je peux t'accompagner samedi”).

How to train for that point

Write, get it corrected, then rewrite. Keep a list of your recurring mistakes (agreement, accents, tenses) and reread it before each text.
Compare with two levels. Each topic in our bank has an answer aimed at NCLC 7 and one aimed at NCLC 10: spot three differences and reuse them.
Write under exam conditions: 60 minutes for three tasks, the official word count, no spellchecker.
TEF Canada has the same step: NCLC 6 = 271–309 and NCLC 7 = 310–348 in the writing “ancien score”. See sections A and B.

Official source: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)