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TEF Canada score chart: from your /699 score to NCLC, and the old score Express Entry asks for

Since December 11, 2023, each TEF Canada skill is scored out of 699, and your certificate shows the NCLC level. In speaking, NCLC 7 is 456–493 out of 699. But for Express Entry, IRCC asks you to enter the « Équivalence ancien score » column from your results, not the /699 score: in speaking, NCLC 7 on that column is 310–348 (out of 450).

Table 1: TEF Canada /699 to NCLC (results from December 11, 2023)

Source: CCI Paris Île-de-France, TEF / NCLC correspondence table.

NCLC Speaking (EO) Writing (EE) Listening (CO) Reading (CE)
4 328–386 328–386 268–329 306–351
5 387–421 387–421 330–378 352–392
6 422–455 422–455 379–427 393–433
7 456–493 456–493 428–471 434–461
8 494–517 494–517 472–511 462–502
9 518–555 518–555 512–557 503–545
10 556–591 556–591 558–576 546–572
11 592–641 592–641 577–618 573–614
12 642–699 642–699 619–699 615–699

Speaking and writing share the same bands. Listening and reading each have their own.

Table 2: the « Équivalence ancien score » column (what you enter in Express Entry)

Source: IRCC, Express Entry language test equivalency page. IRCC says to enter only the scores from this column, and that /699 scores "aren't compatible with our system at this time."

NCLC Speaking Writing Listening Reading
4 181–225 181–225 145–180 121–150
5 226–270 226–270 181–216 151–180
6 271–309 271–309 217–248 181–206
7 310–348 310–348 249–279 207–232
8 349–370 349–370 280–297 233–247
9 371–392 371–392 298–315 248–262
10 393–450 393–450 316–360 263–300

The top of each column (450, 360, 300) is where IRCC's table ends for NCLC 10.

Worked lookups

Examples written by Niveau7 to show how to read the tables. They are not real candidates' results.

1. Speaking 461/699. Table 1: 461 falls in 456–493, so NCLC 7. In your Express Entry profile you don't type 461: you type the speaking value printed in the « Équivalence ancien score » column of your results. For NCLC 7, that value sits between 310 and 348.

2. Listening 470/699, reading 430/699. Listening: 470 is in 428–471, NCLC 7 (two points from NCLC 8, which starts at 472). Reading: 430 is in 393–433, NCLC 6. Reading is the skill to work on: NCLC 7 in reading starts at 434.

3. Speaking 455/699. That's the top of NCLC 6 (422–455). One more point would have been NCLC 7. For the French bonus points and French draws, every skill must be NCLC 7 or higher, so a single NCLC 6 means no bonus (see NCLC 7).

4. Writing 600/699. Table 1 gives NCLC 11 (592–641). IRCC's Express Entry table stops at NCLC 10, so in your profile it counts as NCLC 10 or more; enter the old-score value from your results.

Two traps to avoid

  1. The 2019 to 2023 scale is a different scale. From October 1, 2019 to December 10, 2023, the TEF used a single 0–699 scale where NCLC 7 was 450–499 (the « ancienne échelle » column of CCI's correspondence table). Since December 11, 2023, each skill has its own bands (Table 1). An older chart showing "NCLC 7 = 450–499" is describing the earlier scale.
  2. A temporary change was reverted. IRCC notes that a temporary scoring change for tests taken between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 was reverted, and that some people may need to update their profiles. If you tested in that window, check IRCC's language-testing page.

Practise for the speaking score with Niveau7

Practise the TEF Canada speaking test with Niveau7 Do Section A and Section B out loud, on the real clock, with an AI examiner who plays the part and never helps. Right after: an estimated NCLC (an estimate, not an official result), a level for each of the six criteria in Niveau7's report, and the three fixes worth most toward NCLC 7, on your own sentences. 7 days free, then a weekly or monthly plan, cancel anytime. Start your free week

How the speaking test runs: TEF Canada speaking guide. The same chart in French: score TEF Canada. The TCF equivalent: TCF Canada score chart. Which test to take: TEF vs TCF.

What NCLC 7 in all four skills is worth in Express Entry: Express Entry French points and draws.

Frequently asked questions

What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?

On the /699 scale: speaking and writing 456–493, listening 428–471, reading 434–461. On the old-score column used for Express Entry: speaking and writing 310–348, listening 249–279, reading 207–232.

Which TEF score do I enter in my Express Entry profile?

The « Équivalence ancien score » column on your results. IRCC says to enter only the scores from that column, and that /699 scores aren't compatible with its system at this time.

What is the maximum TEF Canada score?

Each skill is scored out of 699 on the current scale. On IRCC's old-score table, the NCLC 10 bands end at 450 for speaking and writing, 360 for listening and 300 for reading.

How long are TEF Canada results valid for Express Entry?

IRCC requires results less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.

Is a TEF score of 450 good?

It depends on the scale. On today's /699 scale, 450 in speaking is NCLC 6 (422–455). On the old-score column, 450 in speaking is the top of NCLC 10 (393–450). Check which column you're reading.

Sources

Last checked: November 1, 2026.

Niveau7 is an independent practice tool. It is not affiliated with France Éducation International (TCF Canada), CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada) or IRCC.