TEF Canada score chart: every skill to NCLC / CLB
Every TEF Canada skill is reported out of 699, but each has its own NCLC breakpoints — the same score can be NCLC 7 in writing and NCLC 6 in speaking. This is IRCC's current table for tests taken after December 10, 2023, with a checker for your own numbers.
| NCLC | ListeningCompréhension orale · / 699 | ReadingCompréhension écrite · / 699 | WritingExpression écrite · / 699 | SpeakingExpression orale · / 699 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 546–699 | 546–699 | 558–699 | 556–699 |
| 9 | 503–545 | 503–545 | 512–557 | 518–555 |
| 8 | 462–502 | 462–502 | 472–511 | 494–517 |
| 7common target | 434–461 | 434–461 | 428–471 | 456–493 |
| 6 | 393–433 | 393–433 | 379–427 | 422–455 |
| 5 | 352–392 | 352–392 | 330–378 | 387–421 |
| 4 | 306–351 | 306–351 | 268–329 | 328–386 |
Below NCLC 4 the chart stops: scores under 306 (listening), 306 (reading), 268 (writing), 328 (speaking)sit below NCLC 4. Source: IRCC language test equivalency charts (canada.ca), TEF Canada taken after Dec 10, 2023. Verified live 2026-07-05 against two IRCC pages.
The speaking bar is the highest
NCLC 7 starts at 434 for listening and reading but at 456 for speaking — from NCLC 4 to NCLC 9 the speaking breakpoints are the highest of the four skills. If you are close to a threshold, speaking is the skill most likely to hold you back, so rehearse it aloud and timed.
Results from before December 10, 2023
IRCC converts older TEF Canada attestations with different ranges, and results from before October 2019 used separate sectional scales. Don't read an older result against this table — use the matching chart on canada.ca.
Practise the skill that sets your level
The TEF Canada practice follows the current format, and thesection-by-section guides cover each part. See also theTEF Canada format, theTCF Canada score chart, and theCLB/NCLC converter.
Common questions
What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?
For TEF Canada taken after December 10, 2023: listening 434–461, reading 434–461, writing 428–471 and speaking 456–493, all out of 699.
What TEF Canada score do I need for NCLC 9?
NCLC 9 is listening 503–545, reading 503–545, writing 512–557 and speaking 518–555.
Why is my older TEF result converted differently?
IRCC uses different equivalency ranges for TEF Canada attestations issued before December 10, 2023 (and older sectional scales before October 2019). This chart is for current test-takers; check canada.ca for older results.
Are the four TEF skills averaged?
No. IRCC converts each skill to an NCLC level separately, and thresholds such as NCLC 7 must be met in every skill.