Is NCLC the same as CLB?

Yes, for French. NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French scale and CLB the English one. Immigration Canada treats NCLC 7 and CLB 7 as the same level.

Which is easier, the TCF or the TEF?

Neither is easier overall. The TCF has three short writing tasks and a 12-minute speaking test; the TEF has two longer writing tasks and a 15-minute speaking test that asks you to argue with the examiner. Practise both formats here and choose the one that suits you.

How long are results valid?

IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada results for two years from the test date.

NCLC score guide for TCF Canada and TEF Canada

Immigration Canada turns each skill's score into an NCLC level from 1 to 12. Here is what each score means, and the level each program needs.

Scores to NCLC levels

CO: listening (compréhension orale). CE: reading (compréhension écrite). EE and EO: writing and speaking (expression écrite and orale), which use the same ranges. Below NCLC 4 is not shown.

NCLC	TCF Canada			TEF Canada
NCLC	CO	CE	EE / EO (out of 20)	CO	CE	EE / EO
NCLC 10+	549–699	549–699	16–20	316–360	263–300	393–450
NCLC 9	523–548	524–548	14–15	298–315	248–262	371–392
NCLC 8	503–522	499–523	12–13	280–297	233–247	349–370
NCLC 7	458–502	453–498	10–11	249–279	207–232	310–348
NCLC 6	398–457	406–452	7–9	217–248	181–206	271–309
NCLC 5	369–397	375–405	6	181–216	151–180	226–270
NCLC 4	331–368	342–374	4–5	145–180	121–150	181–225

Source: IRCC's language test equivalency tables, checked October 31, 2026. TEF Canada ranges are for the scores used since December 2023. Always check canada.ca before you apply.

What Express Entry and citizenship need

Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry): NCLC 7 in all four skills, if French is your first official language.
Canadian Experience Class: NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
Federal Skilled Trades: NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, NCLC 4 in reading and writing.
French bonus points (CRS): NCLC 7 or more in all four French skills: 50 extra points with CLB 5 or more in English, 25 with CLB 4 or less (or no English test).
French-language Express Entry draws: NCLC 7 or more in all four skills.
Canadian citizenship: NCLC 4 in speaking and listening (TCF Canada and TEF Canada both count).

Each skill counts on its own: one skill below the level is enough to miss it. Practise your weakest skill first, starting with writing and speaking, where our AI gives you an NCLC level.

Questions

Is NCLC the same as CLB?: Yes, for French. NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the French scale and CLB the English one. Immigration Canada treats NCLC 7 and CLB 7 as the same level.
Which is easier, the TCF or the TEF?: Neither is easier overall. The TCF has three short writing tasks and a 12-minute speaking test; the TEF has two longer writing tasks and a 15-minute speaking test that asks you to argue with the examiner. Practise both formats here and choose the one that suits you.
How long are results valid?: IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada results for two years from the test date.