Guide TEF Canada
TEF Canada and NCLC: the ancien score and the IRCC table
For IRCC, NCLC 7 in TEF Canada = 310 to 348 in speaking and writing, 249 to 279 in listening and 207 to 232 in reading, in the “ancien score”. That is the line of the certificate to use, not the /699 score.
Key facts
- Your certificate shows a score out of 699 and an “Équivalence ancien score” line: IRCC only accepts the ancien score.
- Results are valid for 2 years.
Official sources: TEF Canada — results · TEF Canada — certificate · IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)
Practise now
No sign-up. An NCLC estimate as a range, never an official result.
TEF Canada (ancien score) → NCLC (IRCC table)
| NCLC | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 | 393–450 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 |
| NCLC 9 | 371–392 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 |
| NCLC 8 | 349–370 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 |
| NCLC 7 | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| NCLC 6 | 271–309 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 |
| NCLC 5 | 226–270 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 |
| NCLC 4 | 181–225 | 145–180 | 121–150 | 181–225 |
Between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024, NCLC levels were temporarily calculated differently; IRCC has returned to this table. CCI Paris also publishes a chart for the /699 score, but IRCC does not use it.
Official source: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)
Your weakest skill counts
For Express Entry, each skill is converted separately and the thresholds apply to each one: Federal Skilled Workers need NCLC 7 in all four skills. One skill below that is enough to block you.
Official source: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)
Work out your NCLC
Enter your four “ancien scores” in our NCLC converter: it applies this table and shows which skill is holding you back.
FAQ
What TEF Canada scores give NCLC 7?
In the “ancien score”: 310–348 in speaking and writing, 249–279 in listening, 207–232 in reading.
Official source: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)
And for NCLC 9?
371–392 in speaking and writing, 298–315 in listening, 248–262 in reading.
Official source: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry)
My TEF certificate shows a score out of 699: which one do I use?
Use the “Équivalence ancien score” line. It is the only one IRCC accepts; the /699 score is not compatible with its system.
Official sources: IRCC — language test results (Express Entry) · TEF Canada — certificate
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TCF TEF Study is independent: neither France Éducation international nor CCI Paris Île-de-France has reviewed this content. Facts come from the official pages cited; check them before you register, as the test owners can change them. Updated 22 October 2026.