NCLC 7 in French: The TEF and TCF Canada Scores You Need

Canada describes language ability on a 12-level scale. In English it is called the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). In French it is the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). The numbers match, so NCLC 7 and CLB 7 are the same level. You may see "CLB 7 French" on forums. It means NCLC 7.

You do not get one NCLC level for your French. IRCC gives you a level for each of the four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. It reads each one from your TEF Canada or TCF Canada score, using its own equivalency tables.

What does NCLC 7 look like in practice? On the TCF, NCLC 7 is mostly the CEFR level B2, and the TEF's sample certificate shows NCLC 7 results as B2 too (see below). Le français des affaires, which makes the TEF, describes B2 like this: you can understand the main points of a complex text, express an opinion on a current topic, talk about pros and cons, and talk about past events.

Frenchly's NCLC figures are estimates to help you plan. Only your official TEF Canada or TCF Canada result and IRCC's current tables decide your level.

These are the NCLC 7 ranges from IRCC's equivalency tables. The two tests use different scales, so never apply a TEF number to a TCF result, or the other way round.

• The bottom of each range is the minimum. The score above the range is NCLC 8.
• TEF Canada: use the right column. Newer TEF certificates show a "Score / 699" and an "Équivalence ancien score" for each skill. IRCC says to enter only the "Équivalence ancien score" figures. The TEF numbers above are on that older scale (for example, 207 out of 300 in reading).
• TCF Canada: two scales. Reading and listening are out of 699; writing and speaking are out of 20. A 10 in writing is NCLC 7, but a 10 would be far too low in listening.

For the full chart from NCLC 4 to NCLC 10+, see TEF Canada scores to NCLC and TCF Canada scores to NCLC. To read your own scores, use the NCLC calculator.

Short answer: mostly B2. But B2 and NCLC 7 are not the same thing, and a B2 on your certificate does not always mean NCLC 7.

CEFR (A1 to C2) is a European scale with six wide levels. NCLC has twelve narrower levels. So one CEFR level covers more than one NCLC level. Both test makers print a CEFR level next to your score, but IRCC uses your score, not the CEFR letter.

France Éducation international, which makes the TCF, publishes the CEFR level for each TCF Canada NCLC band in its candidate manual (Manuel du candidat, version J, September 2024). Here are NCLC 6, 7 and 8, with the CEFR level in brackets:

Read the table this way:

• NCLC 7 is B2 on the TCF in reading, writing and speaking. In listening, France Éducation international labels the NCLC 7 range B2–C1.
• B2 can also be NCLC 6. In reading, 406–452 is B2 but only NCLC 6. A reader who "has B2" can still be below NCLC 7.
• B1 is below NCLC 7. On this table, a B1 result in writing or speaking is NCLC 6 or lower.

The TEF Canada works the same way. Le français des affaires' sample certificate shows B2 in all four skills, but the NCLC levels are 7, 8, 6 and 7. The writing result (299 out of 450) is labelled B2 and is still NCLC 6, because NCLC 7 in writing starts at 310.

If a course, school or consultant says "you need B2", ask which NCLC level they mean. For Express Entry, aim at the NCLC score ranges above, not at a CEFR letter.

IRCC does not add or average your four scores. Each skill gets its own NCLC level, and the rules that matter for French ask for NCLC 7 in all four. So your result is only as strong as your weakest skill.

These are made-up numbers to show the rule, not typical results and not a prediction. The lesson for your study plan: find your weakest skill first, and give it the most time. Watch writing and speaking on the TCF closely: the bands are narrow, and one point out of 20 can move you from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7.

NCLC 7 in all four skills is the line for three separate things. These are IRCC's rules from its CRS criteria, category-based selection and language-testing pages, all dated October 16, 2026 (checked November 2, 2026):

Reaching NCLC 7 does not guarantee an invitation or permanent residence. Your total CRS score, the type of round and the cutoff on the day decide that, and IRCC can change its rules. IRCC's CRS page lists changes from November 3, 2026 to points for Canadian work experience and job offers. As checked on November 2, 2026, that notice does not mention the French points. Check the official pages before you decide.

For the full points picture (including the smaller points for French as a second language), read how many CRS points French is worth. For recent cutoffs, see Express Entry French draws. Your result must also be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply; see how long TEF and TCF results are valid.

People often ask this because CLB 7 in English and NCLC 7 in French share a number. They are the same benchmark level, in two different languages. Each test has its own table. On IRCC's language-testing page (dated October 16, 2026), CLB 7 in English is:

An IELTS or CELPIP result tells IRCC about your English only. To show NCLC 7 in French, you need a TEF Canada or TCF Canada result. If you are deciding between the two French tests, read TEF vs TCF Canada.

1. 1Take a timed practice test in each skill: the free TEF Canada practice test or TCF Canada practice test.
2. 2Turn each score into a level with the NCLC calculator, or the charts for the TEF and TCF.
3. 3Find your lowest skill. That is the one that decides, so it gets most of your practice time.
4. 4Measure the gap to the NCLC 7 minimum in that skill. On the TEF: 207 reading, 249 listening, 310 writing and speaking. On the TCF: 453 reading, 458 listening, 10 out of 20 in writing and speaking.
5. 5Aim for a margin, not the line. Results move up and down from one test to the next, so a score just on the minimum leaves no room. A margin is a plan, not a promise.
6. 6Re-test every few weeks, not every day, and book the real exam when every skill is above the minimum in practice. The TEF Canada study plan shows one way to organise the weeks.

A practice score, including one from Frenchly, is an estimate of where you stand against the exam format. It does not predict your official result.