No "pass" or "fail" — an NCLC level
The TCF Canada doesn't give a pass/fail grade. It measures your level and converts it to an NCLC (Canadian Language Benchmark, CLB). For most economic immigration programs, NCLC 7 in each of the 4 skills is the minimum; higher levels earn more CRS points.
NCLC score bands (approximate)
| TCF score | NCLC level | CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| 549–699 | NCLC 9–10 | C1–C2 |
| 500–548 | NCLC 8 | C1 |
| 458–499 | NCLC 7 | B2 |
| 398–457 | NCLC 6 | B2 |
| 369–397 | NCLC 5 | B1+ |
For Speaking and Writing, NCLC 7 corresponds to about 10–11 out of 20. Figures are indicative — always check the official IRCC conversion tables.
How many questions in each section?
- Listening: 39 multiple-choice questions (one listen only).
- Reading: 39 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes.
- Writing: 3 tasks, 60 minutes.
- Speaking: 3 tasks, about 12 minutes with an examiner.
How long is a TCF Canada result valid?
The certificate is generally valid for 2 years. Plan your test date so your result is still valid when you submit your immigration file.
Use an NCLC calculator to convert your practice scores and check you're above your target band.
