TEF and TCF Canada guides
Browse all of our guides to the TEF Canada and TCF Canada exams, grouped by speaking task, score chart and immigration pathway. Each guide covers the official task format and timing, worked speaking prompts, and how raw scores convert to NCLC levels. You will also find the French score requirements IRCC sets for Express Entry category-based draws, the Francophone Mobility work permit and Canadian citizenship.
Speaking test and practice
- TEF Canada speaking test: how Sections A and B work, and the score you need for NCLC 7
The TEF Canada speaking test is 15 minutes: a 5-minute phone call about an ad, then 10 minutes convincing a friend. How it's marked and the NCLC 7 score.
- TCF Canada speaking test: the 3 tasks, the timing and the score for NCLC 7
The TCF Canada speaking test is 12 minutes in 3 tasks: an interview, a role-play and an opinion. Timings, marking criteria and the /20 score for NCLC 7.
- TEF Canada and TCF Canada speaking practice test: two full mocks you can do today
Free TEF and TCF Canada speaking mocks with prompts, partner sheets and timer plans, plus all four parts of each test and the NCLC 7 score to aim for.
Exam format and preparation
- TEF vs TCF Canada: the differences, and which test suits you
TEF Canada vs TCF Canada: the whole test side by side, speaking tasks, NCLC 7 scores, TCF results and retake rules, Quebec, online, and a task of each.
- TEF Canada preparation: a week-by-week plan for the speaking test
How to prepare for the TEF Canada: the four parts at a glance, the NCLC 7 minimum, and a 4- or 8-week speaking plan with practice ads and self-checks.
Scores and NCLC levels
- TEF Canada score chart: from your /699 score to NCLC, and the old score Express Entry asks for
TEF Canada scores to NCLC for all four skills: the /699 scale since Dec 2023 and the old-score column Express Entry asks for, with worked examples.
- TCF Canada score chart: NCLC levels for speaking, writing, listening and reading
TCF Canada scores to NCLC: speaking and writing /20, listening and reading /699, a free calculator, CEFR levels, CRS points and the NCLC 7 minimums.
- NCLC 7: the TEF Canada and TCF Canada scores you need, and what it unlocks
NCLC 7 in French means 10–11/20 in TCF speaking or 456–493/699 in TEF speaking. Every skill's score, what NCLC 7 unlocks, and a worked CRS example.
Immigration, Express Entry and citizenship
- Express Entry French category: the NCLC 7 rule, CRS points and every 2026 French draw
French-language draws need NCLC 7 in all four skills. See the +25 or +50 CRS points, every 2026 French draw with its cutoff, and worked point examples.
- Francophone Mobility program: the NCLC 5 French requirement, your family and the road to PR
The Francophone Mobility work permit (C16) needs French speaking and listening at NCLC 5. See TEF and TCF scores, accepted proof, and spouse permits.
- French test for Canadian citizenship: what level IRCC actually asks for
Citizenship needs CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening, but IRCC lists B1 for the TEF Canada and TCF Canada. What that means, and other accepted proof.