What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?

On the IRCC “Équivalence ancien score” table used for Express Entry, NCLC 7 is speaking 310–348, listening 249–279, reading 207–232, and writing 310–348. Enter those column scores, not the Score/699 column.

How many CRS points is French worth?

NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities adds 25 additional CRS points, or 50 if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities. Those points sit on top of the regular language scoring.

Which TEF score column do I enter in Express Entry?

IRCC tells you to use the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency) column only. Do not enter the Score/699 results — they are not compatible with the Express Entry form.

Guide

TEF Canada to NCLC conversion for Express Entry

French uses Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC), not CLB. The numbers on a TEF Canada report are not NCLC until you convert them. IRCC wants the “Équivalence ancien score” column — enter the Score / 699 figures and the profile is wrong.

Add French to a CRS score

French + English bonus

NCLC 7 + CLB 5

French-only bonus

NCLC 7, weaker English

2 yrs

Result validity

Same clock as IELTS

Official TEF Canada → NCLC table

This is the Express Entry scoring grid IRCC currently publishes. Speaking and writing share one numeric scale; listening and reading each have their own. Use the range that contains your “Équivalence ancien score” for that ability.

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

Do not enter Score / 699

A TEF Canada attestation shows more than one score column. IRCC’s instruction is explicit: language level is based on “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency). The Score / 699 column is not compatible with the Express Entry system. Entering it can make a profile look stronger or weaker than it is, and IRCC may refuse an application that does not match the correct column.

Tests written between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024 sat through a temporary CCI scoring change that was later reverted to this grid. If you tested in that window, CCI was supposed to email updated scores. Update the Express Entry profile with the new figures before you accept an ITA.

Why French moved so many 2026 invitations

Additional CRS points for French sit on top of regular language scoring: 25 points for NCLC 7+ in all four abilities, or 50 if English is also CLB 5+ in all four. Category-based French rounds in 2026 have also invited at much lower CRS cut-offs than CEC-only rounds. Together, that is why a second-language test is often a larger ranking move than another year of the same job.

You still need to qualify for a federal program first — FSW, CEC, or FST. French does not replace an English CLB if English is your first official language; it stacks with it. TCF Canada is the other accepted French test and uses a different numeric scale.

Program minimums in NCLC

If French is your first official language, FSW needs NCLC 7 in all four abilities. CEC needs NCLC 7 for TEER 0–1 work and NCLC 5 for TEER 2–3. FST needs NCLC 5 speaking and listening and NCLC 4 reading and writing. Those are eligibility gates. The 25- and 50-point bonuses are ranking points after you are already in the pool.

Validity is two years, same as IELTS and CELPIP. A French result that expires after an ITA still has to be valid on the day you submit the PR application.

Model the 25- and 50-point bonus

Enter TEF Canada scores in the calculator and toggle the French additional-points option that matches your English CLB. You will see whether NCLC 7 is worth sitting the test before you book.

Open CRS calculator

Official sources

Figures and rules in this guide are checked against IRCC program pages. If anything conflicts, trust the government page.

Compare French against your current CRS

Then check 2026 invitation ranges to see whether a French category round is even in play for your profile.

Calculate my CRS

Canadian PRLedger is a free tracking and calculator tool — not a law firm, not an RCIC practice, and not affiliated with IRCC. These guides summarize public program rules for planning purposes only. For case-specific advice, speak with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.