IRCC turns each TEF Canada skill into an NCLC level, the French name for CLB: same levels, same numbers. Each skill is converted on its own, and programs usually set a minimum for every skill, so the lowest one matters most.
Calculator
Enter the scores from the Équivalence ancien score column of your certificate.
The full chart
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 | 393-450 |
| 9 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 371-392 |
| 8 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 349-370 |
| 7 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 310-348 |
| 6 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 271-309 |
| 5 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| 4 | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 181-225 |
Listening is out of 360, reading out of 300, speaking and writing out of 450. From IRCC's equivalency chart on canada.ca, which can change: check it before you apply.
Which score to use
- Use the Équivalence ancien score column. IRCC says not to enter the scores out of 699 on the same certificate.
- Tests between December 2023 and May 2024: CCI briefly reported NCLC levels differently, then went back to this chart. If that affected you, CCI emailed you, and IRCC asks you to update your Express Entry profile.
What NCLC 7 takes
NCLC 7 is a common target. On TEF Canada that means at least 249 in listening, 207 in reading and 310 in speaking and writing. Your program may need another level: each sets its own.
What each level looks like, skill by skill, is in the score guides: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
Where do you stand now?
A practice percentage is not a TEF score, but it shows which skill is furthest behind. Start there.
Practise with TEF Trainer
TEF Trainer is TEF Canada practice for all four papers, in your browser.
- Predictions: TEF-style listening and reading predictions, based on recent exams and updated regularly (560 questions).
- The full question bank: 1,925 listening and reading questions in all.
- Every speaking and writing topic (435) with a model answer, in French with English alongside.
- English translations and answer explanations, plus shuffle mode, autoplay and audio speed control.
144 questions and 32 topics are free, with everything switched on. No account, no card.
Start practising free See pricing
Updated November 2026. Exam rules and fees change: check them with your test centre and on canada.ca.