TCF Canada

TCF Canada: Test, Score Chart & Preparation

The French test for Canadian immigration — scores, NCLC levels, and AI-powered preparation.

TCF Canada guide: the official score-to-NCLC (CLB) conversion chart, the NCLC 7 threshold for Express Entry, registration and validity facts, plus AI feedback on your French writing and speaking.

Mit dem Üben beginnen Prüfungen vergleichen

Am besten geeignet für

Learners who need a recognized French certification for Canadian immigration, study, or administrative use and want fast, focused preparation.

Wichtigste Anwendungsfälle

Immigration documentation
Study pathways
Fast-turnaround French proof

Module

Listening comprehension
Reading comprehension
Written expression
Oral expression

Bewertungsansatz

TCF Canada reports a level per skill on the CLB/NCLC scale used by IRCC. Preparation should build steady performance across listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Übungsschwerpunkt

Short-form written accuracy
Response organization under time limits
Comprehension-to-production transfer
High-frequency administrative and real-life vocabulary

Warum diese Seite wichtig ist

AI feedback on the writing and speaking sections that decide most points
Skill-by-skill correction tied to the CLB/NCLC levels
Efficient practice loops with visible week-by-week progress

TCF Canada score chart: NCLC (CLB) equivalency

IRCC converts TCF Canada results to NCLC levels — the French name for the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Listening and Reading are scored on a 300–699 scale; Writing and Speaking on 0–20. Find your score range in each column below.

NCLC (CLB)	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
10+	549–699	549–699	16–20	16–20
9	523–548	524–548	14–15	14–15
8	503–522	499–523	12–13	12–13
7	458–502	453–498	10–11	10–11
6	398–457	406–452	7–9	7–9
5	369–397	375–405	6	6
4	331–368	342–374	4–5	4–5

Your NCLC level for an immigration program is set per skill — to “have NCLC 7” you must reach the NCLC 7 range in all four skills. One weaker skill drops that skill (not your whole result) to the lower level.

Source: IRCC's official test equivalency charts

NCLC 7 — the Express Entry threshold

NCLC 7 in all four skills (458 Listening, 453 Reading, 10 Writing, 10 Speaking) qualifies you for the French-language proficiency category in Express Entry and unlocks up to 50 additional CRS points — 25 if your English is below CLB 5, 50 with CLB 5 or higher in English.

Validity: 2 years

IRCC accepts TCF Canada results for 2 years from the results date, and they must still be valid on the day you submit your application. If your results expire mid-process, you retake the full test — after a minimum 30-day wait between attempts.

NCLC 4 — the citizenship threshold

Canadian citizenship applications (ages 18–54) require NCLC 4 in Speaking and Listening only: at least 331 in Listening and 4 in Speaking. Reading and Writing are not assessed for citizenship.

Want your exact NCLC before you commit to a test? Punch your scores into the TCF & TEF to CLB calculator and get your lowest NCLC instantly — no manual table-reading required.

Comparing pathways? See our Canada immigration French hub for how TCF Canada, TEF Canada and your English test scores combine for CRS points.

So bereiten Sie sich vor auf TCF Canada

Beginnen Sie mit einem vollständigen Probetest, um Ihr aktuelles Niveau einzuschätzen. Langujet bewertet Ihr Schreiben und Sprechen in wenigen Minuten, sodass Sie genau wissen, worauf Sie sich konzentrieren müssen.

Üben Sie Schreib- und Sprechaufgaben mit Aufgabenstellungen, die dem offiziellen Format und den Bewertungskriterien der TCF Canada-Prüfung entsprechen — keine allgemeinen Französischübungen.

Wiederholen Sie die Übungsaufgaben und beobachten Sie, wie Ihre Ergebnisse im Laufe der Zeit steigen. Wenn Ihr Durchschnitt durchgängig Ihr Ziel erreicht, sind Sie bereit, die echte Prüfung zu buchen.

FAQ

What is TCF Canada used for?

TCF Canada is accepted by IRCC as proof of French for permanent residence and citizenship applications. Results are reported per skill and mapped to CLB/NCLC levels.

How is TCF Canada different from TEF Canada?

Both are accepted for Canadian immigration and test the same four skills. They differ in question format and scoring detail — choose whichever your test centre offers or you find more comfortable.

What TCF Canada scores do I need for Express Entry?

The key threshold is NCLC 7 in all four skills: at least 458 in Listening, 453 in Reading, 10 in Writing and 10 in Speaking. That qualifies you for the French-language proficiency category and earns up to 50 additional CRS points (25 if your English is below CLB 5).

How do I register for TCF Canada?

You book directly with an approved test centre — TCF Canada is administered by France Éducation international through its worldwide centre network. Centres in high-demand cities such as Montréal, Toronto and Paris often fill up weeks in advance, so book early.

How long are TCF Canada results valid?

Results are valid for 2 years from the date they are issued, and they must still be valid on the day you submit your application to IRCC.

When do I get my TCF Canada results?

Results are typically issued around 15 business days after the test session. Your attestation reports a score and NCLC level for each of the four skills separately.

Can I retake the TCF Canada?

Yes. You must wait at least 30 days between two attempts, and you retake the full four-skill test — IRCC does not combine skills from different sittings of the TCF Canada.

What level do I need for Canadian citizenship?

Citizenship applicants aged 18–54 need NCLC 4 in Speaking and Listening only — at least 4 in Speaking and 331 in Listening on the TCF Canada. Reading and Writing are not assessed for citizenship.

Canada immigration resources

Grammar and test-choice guides that support TEF Canada and TCF Canada preparation.

French grammar guide TEF vs TCF for Canada TEF vs TCF comparison