TCF Canada Score to NCLC Conversion Table 2026 (Full Chart)

By Claire AI — TCF Canada Prep Platform Editorial — TCF Canada Specialists · Updated 2026-09-11

TCF Canada Score → NCLC Full Conversion Table

This is the complete conversion table between official TCF Canada scores and NCLC levels (Canadian French proficiency levels). Reading and listening convert by raw score; writing and speaking by score out of 20.

NCLC Level	CEFR	Reading (max 699)	Listening (max 699)	Writing (/20)	Speaking (/20)
NCLC 4	A2	342-374	331-368	4-5	4-5
NCLC 5	B1	375-405	369-397	6	6
NCLC 6	B1	406-452	398-457	7-9	7-9
NCLC 7	B2	453-498	458-502	10-11	10-11
NCLC 8	B2	499-523	503-522	12-13	12-13
NCLC 9	C1	524-548	523-548	14-15	14-15
NCLC 10+	C1 / C2	549-699	549-699	16-20	16-20

Key thresholds to remember: reading 453+, listening 458+, writing/speaking 10/20+ = NCLC 7 (B2). Or use the free NCLC calculator to convert instantly.

NCLC ↔ CEFR Equivalents

NCLC 4 ≈ CEFR A2 — minimum French requirement for Canadian citizenship
NCLC 5 ≈ CEFR B1 — entry point for some provincial French streams
NCLC 7 ≈ CEFR B2 — the key threshold for Express Entry French bonus and most French immigration programs
NCLC 9+ ≈ CEFR C1 — ceiling for French CRS bonus

Common Score Requirements by Immigration Program

Program	Minimum NCLC	TCF Canada Score
Canadian citizenship	NCLC 4 (speaking/listening)	Listening 331+, Speaking 4/20+
Express Entry (French bonus)	NCLC 7 (all four)	Reading 453+, Listening 458+, Writing/Speaking 10/20+
Quebec PRTQ / French streams	NCLC 7-8 (speaking first)	Speaking 10-12/20+ to start
French CRS bonus ceiling	NCLC 9 (all four)	Reading 524+, Listening 523+, Writing/Speaking 14/20+

CRS French Bonus Rules

In Express Entry, additional CRS points from French skills work like this:

All four skills at NCLC 7: +25 points
All four at NCLC 7 plus English CLB 5+ (bilingual bonus): +50 points
All four at NCLC 9: +50 points
All four at NCLC 9 plus English CLB 5+: up to +72 points

These points often decide whether you receive an invitation. Full analysis: TCF Canada & Express Entry guide.

Your Final Level: the Lowest of Four

Your official NCLC level is set by the lowest of the four skills. Example: reading NCLC 8, listening NCLC 7, writing NCLC 7, speaking NCLC 6 → your official level is NCLC 6. Don't leave a weak skill behind. Level-by-level detail: NCLC 7 scores and is NCLC 8 worth it.