Score guide
Lire en françaisTEF and TCF Canada Score Chart (CLB/NCLC)
Use the TEF scores table and the TCF Canada score chart to translate each skill into the CLB/NCLC band your immigration plan requires.
CLB and CRS calculator
Scale 100-699
Scale 100-699
Scale 0-20
Scale 0-20
Your result
TCF Canada to CLB / NCLCThe line before 7 marks the Federal Skilled Worker minimum.
- First-language CRS points
- French bonus
Enter a score for all four skills to see your result.
- Express Entry uses your lowest skill, so this is the level that counts.
- CRS points are for your stronger official language, without a spouse. A spouse changes the table slightly.
- Estimates based on IRCC equivalency charts. Always confirm against the official IRCC tables before you apply.
Wondering whether your band is actually enough? Track the latest French Express Entry draw cutoffs. French-language rounds have been inviting candidates far below the general cutoff.
Program requirements at a glance
CLB targets vary by program. Use the benchmark your stream requires instead of training off a generic score goal.
| Immigration program | Official minimum | Your scores |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four skills | Add scores |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | CLB 7 in all four skills | Add scores |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | CLB 5 in all four skills | Add scores |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing | Add scores |
| Francophone Mobility work permit | NCLC 5 speaking and listening | Add scores |
| Citizenship, ages 18 to 54 | CLB 4 speaking and listening | Add scores |
| Provincial nominee streams | Set by each province and stream | Check your stream |
Minimums as published by IRCC. A minimum makes you eligible. It does not set your CRS points.
Once you know your CLB band, use the free CRS calculator to see how many Express Entry CRS points your French score can add.
Quick answer
Read TEF scores and the TCF Canada score chart skill by skill. CLB 5, CLB 7, and higher only count when each section lands in the right band, so one weak result can still block the target.
TCF Canada to CLB conversion
TCF Canada uses different scales by skill, so do not compare raw scores to TEF. Convert each skill inside the correct table first.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CLB stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 549-699 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 16-20 | Advanced |
| CLB 9 | 523-548 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 14-15 | Advanced |
| CLB 8 | 503-522 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 12-13 | Intermediate |
| CLB 7 Express Entry | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 10-11 | Intermediate |
| CLB 6 | 398-457 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 7-9 | Intermediate |
| CLB 5 | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 | 6 | Intermediate |
| CLB 4 | 331-368 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 4-5 | Basic |
TCF listening and reading use a 100-699 scale. TCF writing and speaking use a 0-20 scale.
TEF Canada to CLB conversion
Use the TEF Canada table when you need the exact band per skill before updating an Express Entry profile or checking a retake plan. Your certificate shows two scores for each skill. Enter the Old score equivalence in an Express Entry profile.
Old score equivalence asked for Express Entry
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 | 393-450 |
| CLB 9 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 371-392 |
| CLB 8 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 349-370 |
| CLB 7 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 310-348 |
| CLB 6 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 271-309 |
| CLB 5 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 226-270 |
| CLB 4 | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 181-225 |
Score out of 699
| CLB level | Listening and reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 12 | 615-699 | 619-699 | 642-699 |
| CLB 11 | 573-614 | 577-618 | 592-641 |
| CLB 10 | 546-572 | 558-576 | 556-591 |
| CLB 9 | 503-545 | 512-557 | 518-555 |
| CLB 8 | 462-502 | 472-511 | 494-517 |
| CLB 7 | 434-461 | 428-471 | 456-493 |
| CLB 6 | 393-433 | 379-427 | 422-455 |
| CLB 5 | 352-392 | 330-378 | 387-421 |
| CLB 4 | 306-351 | 268-329 | 328-386 |
NewReadiness Report
Your CLB is only half the answer.
The chart tells you where you stand today. It cannot tell you why you plateau, or whether it is safe to book. The Readiness Report reads every graded mock, writing task and speaking session you complete here, then turns them into a verdict: what blocks you, what does not, and when to book.
Verdict · Not yet
CLB 7+ in speaking in 2 of your last 8 sessions. Book when you hit 5 in a row. Projected ready: 4 to 6 weeks.
Practice like the real exam
Timed mocks and speaking sessions in the exact TEF and TCF formats, graded on the four skills that count.
Every answer feeds your diagnosis
Each error is tagged against the criteria examiners actually score. Over time the patterns behind your plateau become visible.
Book with confidence
Your report says ready when you hold CLB 7+ consistently, so you sit the $450 exam once, not five times.
Free · No card required · About 15 minutes
Already practising here? Open your Readiness Report
“No examiner comments. No detailed scoring report. No explanation of where points were lost. Candidates simply receive a score and are expected to accept it.”What candidates report after their official TEF results, r/TEFCanada, August 2026
FAQ
Does one weak skill still matter if my other three scores are strong?
Yes. Immigration score planning is usually skill by skill, so one weak band can still block the threshold you need.
Should I compare TEF raw scores directly to TCF raw scores?
No. The scales are different. Convert each exam through the correct CLB/NCLC table before making any decision.
What does CLB 5 mean in French?
CLB 5 is a lower benchmark than CLB 7 and is sometimes enough for specific pathways, but it still has to be reached section by section. Use the table above to check whether each TEF or TCF skill actually lands in that band.
Is CLB 7 the right target for everyone?
No. CLB 7 is common, but the right benchmark depends on the program, the stream, and how French fits your broader score strategy.
Related guides
Official sources
Use these pages to confirm language requirements, the accepted exams, and the official test-provider context before you rely on any score plan.