TEF Canada NCLC Score Chart: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing
Use the current IRCC TEF Canada to NCLC score chart with the exact ability order, score-column warning, boundaries, and worked examples.
TEF Canada reports separate results for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. IRCC maps each component to a separate Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level.
The safest way to use the chart is to read one official component at a time. Do not add or average the four TEF numbers, and do not reorder the columns.
Critical TEF score-column warning
IRCC currently says that your TEF Canada language level for Express Entry is based on the column labelled “Équivalence ancien score” on the statement of results. IRCC instructs candidates to enter the scores for each ability from that column.
The statement can also contain a column labelled “Score / 699.” IRCC says not to enter those `/699` results into the Express Entry profile because they are not compatible with the system at this time.
That distinction is easy to miss. Match the labels on your actual statement to IRCC's current instructions before entering anything. If the labels or government instructions differ from this article, stop and use the official IRCC page.
Current IRCC TEF Canada NCLC chart
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l'oral) | Reading (compréhension de l'écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 393–450 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 371–392 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 |
| 8 | 349–370 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 |
| 7 | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| 6 | 271–309 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 |
| 5 | 226–270 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 |
| 4 | 181–225 | 145–180 | 121–150 | 181–225 |
Ability order preserved from IRCC: Speaking (expression orale), Listening (compréhension de l'oral), Reading (compréhension de l'écrit), Writing (expression écrite).
How to map an official TEF result
- Find the “Équivalence ancien score” column specified by IRCC.
- Write down the speaking result and find its range in the speaking column.
- Repeat for listening using only the listening column.
- Repeat for reading using only the reading column.
- Repeat for writing using only the writing column.
- Keep the four NCLC levels separate.
Do not infer that a number means the same thing in two different components. For example, a TEF value of 250 falls in different interpretive contexts depending on whether it is a listening, reading, speaking, or writing result.
Worked example 1: exact NCLC 7 lower boundaries
| Ability | Example TEF value | IRCC range used | Mapped component level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 310 | 310–348 | NCLC 7 |
| Listening | 249 | 249–279 | NCLC 7 |
| Reading | 207 | 207–232 | NCLC 7 |
| Writing | 310 | 310–348 | NCLC 7 |
In this constructed example, every component maps to NCLC 7. It illustrates the table only. It does not establish Express Entry eligibility or predict an invitation.
Worked example 2: high components do not offset one lower result
| Ability | Example TEF value | Mapped component level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 371 | NCLC 9 |
| Listening | 280 | NCLC 8 |
| Reading | 248 | NCLC 9 |
| Writing | 309 | NCLC 6 |
This profile does not show NCLC 7 in all four abilities because writing maps to NCLC 6. Averaging the four NCLC labels would not change that component result. See our separate guide to the all-four-skills rule.
Boundary checks that prevent common errors
- A speaking or writing value of 309 is NCLC 6; 310 begins NCLC 7.
- A listening value of 248 is NCLC 6; 249 begins NCLC 7.
- A reading value of 206 is NCLC 6; 207 begins NCLC 7.
- A listening value of 297 is NCLC 8; 298 begins NCLC 9.
- A reading value of 247 is NCLC 8; 248 begins NCLC 9.
- A speaking or writing value of 392 is NCLC 9; 393 begins NCLC 10.
These are simple lookups from the current IRCC table. They are not scoring advice and do not cover values outside the displayed NCLC 4–10 ranges.
Special notice for tests taken December 11, 2023 to May 6, 2024
IRCC maintains a specific notice for people who took TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024. IRCC explains that CCI temporarily modified the NCLC information to reflect raw scores and later reverted to the Express Entry scoring grid currently used.
If your test falls in that date window, do not rely only on a generic converter or this article. Read IRCC's current notice and follow any communication issued to you by CCI or IRCC. Incorrect score entry can have application consequences.
NCLC 7 and the French-language-proficiency category
As checked July 28, 2026, IRCC says the French-language-proficiency category requires a minimum score of NCLC 7 in all four language abilities, together with the other requirements in the instructions for the round. Meeting the language row does not mean that a person is eligible for Express Entry, will be selected in a round, or will receive permanent residence.
TEF score chart is not a CEFR conversion chart
CEFR and NCLC are different frameworks. The Council of Europe uses A1 through C2; IRCC uses the test-specific NCLC conversion shown above. Do not substitute a universal CEFR-to-NCLC equivalence for the official TEF component chart.
Before entering TEF results in Express Entry
- Open IRCC's current language-test page.
- Confirm that you are reading the TEF Canada section for the relevant program.
- Use the “Équivalence ancien score” values as IRCC instructs.
- Do not enter the “Score / 699” values where IRCC says they are incompatible.
- Preserve the exact speaking, listening, reading, writing order.
- Confirm that the result is less than two years old at the required stages.
- Get help from IRCC or a properly authorized professional if your document does not match the published instructions.
If you have not chosen a test, compare the formats in TEF Canada vs TCF Canada. If you took TCF instead, use the TCF Canada NCLC score chart.
Browse the complete French for Canada field guide for related test and immigration-language resources.
Official sources
- IRCC: TEF Canada score-entry instructions, NCLC ranges, validity, and historical notice
- IRCC: French-language-proficiency category criteria
- CCI Paris Île-de-France: official TEF Canada format
- Government of Canada: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
- Council of Europe: CEFR level descriptions
