NCLC 7 at TCF Canada and the exact score for each skill
Checked November 1, 2026
NCLC 7 at TCF Canada means 458 to 502 in listening, 453 to 498 in reading, and 10 or 11 out of 20 in both writing and speaking. You need the band in all four skills. 9/20 in writing, for example, is only NCLC 6.
Scores for NCLC 7
| Skill | Minimum for NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 band | NCLC 8 starts at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 458 | 458–502 | 503 |
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 453 | 453–498 | 499 |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 10/20 | 10–11 | 12 |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 10/20 | 10–11 | 12 |
The figures come from IRCC’s table. The full score chart covers the other levels.
The edges matter. A reading score of 452 is still NCLC 6.
Four examples
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 460 | 455 | 10 | 10 | NCLC 7 in all four, each just inside its band. |
| 520 | 520 | 9 | 14 | Listening 8 (503–522), reading 8 (499–523), speaking 9. Writing at 9/20 is NCLC 6, so this is not NCLC 7 everywhere. |
| 500 | 450 | 11 | 11 | Listening 7, but reading is NCLC 6 because 450 is under 453. Not NCLC 7 everywhere. |
| 502 | 498 | 11 | 11 | NCLC 7 in all four, at the top of every band. |
A high score in one skill does not make up for a low one. When a program asks for NCLC 7 in all four abilities, the table is applied to each skill in turn.
Which programs ask for NCLC 7
- The Federal Skilled Worker program needs NCLC 7 in all four abilities in your first official language.
- The Canadian Experience Class needs NCLC 7 in all four for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3.
- The French-language proficiency category needs at least NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities, plus meeting the round’s instructions.
- French bonus points are 25 CRS points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills if your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test). They are 50 points if you also have CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills.
- Language points at NCLC 7 are 17 per ability without a spouse and 16 with one.
The Express Entry page has the details.
French-category rounds in 2026
These are past results, not a forecast. IRCC does not publish future cut-offs.
- From the start of 2026 to 27 October 2026, there were 12 French-category rounds and 60,500 invitations. The lowest CRS score invited ranged from 382 (19 August) to 435 (16 October).
- The latest round, on 27 October 2026, sent 5,000 invitations with a lowest score of 407.
- For comparison, a Canadian Experience Class round on 15 October 2026 went down to 519.
- In 2025 there were 9 rounds and 48,000 invitations, with scores between 379 and 481.
NCLC 7 makes you eligible for these rounds but does not guarantee an invitation, because your CRS score still has to clear the cut-off. The rounds are listed on IRCC’s page. IRCC has announced a CRS change for 3 November 2026, which the Express Entry page covers.
Is NCLC 7 the same as B2?
For three skills, France Éducation international’s (FEI) table says yes. Writing, speaking and reading are labelled B2 at NCLC 7. For listening, FEI labels NCLC 7 as B2–C1. Say “B2 per FEI’s table”, not “officially equal”. Your file is judged on IRCC’s NCLC table, not on the CEFR label. More in Is NCLC 7 the same as B2?
Writing and the 10/20 line
NCLC 7 in writing starts at 10/20. FEI’s correctors mark each text twice, independently and blind, and a third marking follows if the two marks differ widely. On some computer-based sessions the first correction can be done by FIDELIA, FEI’s automated marking aid, and the second always stays human. A text at 9/20 therefore stays at NCLC 6, even if it is close. To see where a practice text lands, NCLC Prep gives an estimate out of 20 with the matching NCLC range. It is not the official score.
If one skill falls short
Find your lowest skill. For programs that require NCLC 7 everywhere, it sets your level. You can retake TCF Canada after waiting 20 days between sittings. See results, validity and retakes.