What do I need to write to get NCLC 7 in TCF Canada writing?
Checked November 2, 2026
You need at least 10 out of 20, since IRCC places NCLC 7 at 10 or 11. France Éducation international (FEI) ties marks of 10 to 13 to level B2, described as a “general and spontaneous” command of the language, with reasoned opinions. In practice, all three tasks must show that level, because the mark comes from the levels two markers give each task.
Between 9 and 10 out of 20, what changes
FEI’s grid describes the two levels on either side of the threshold like this.
| Mark | Level | What FEI’s grid says |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 9 | B1 | “Effective but limited” command. The person can talk about their interests and give brief explanations of a plan or an idea. |
| 10 to 13 | B2 | “General and spontaneous” command. The person can take part in a conversation on a general or work topic clearly and in detail, giving reasoned opinions. |
The grid talks about conversation. In writing, it means moving from texts that say the essentials to texts that are precise, developed and argued.
What the markers look at
FEI lists three families of criteria.
- Linguistic. Range of vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, spelling, how elaborate the sentences are.
- Pragmatic. Coherence and cohesion, development of the topic.
- Sociolinguistic. Fit with the situation, for example the tone of a message to a neighbour or of an article.
What that means for each task
This is our reading of the criteria. FEI publishes no marked papers.
| Task | A text closer to B1 | A text aiming at B2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1, message (60 to 120 words) | Says who, what, when, in short sentences built the same way | Gives precise details, links sentences and makes a polite request suited to the reader |
| 2, article, letter or note (120 to 150 words) | Tells the experience in order, without comment | Tells the experience and comments on it with an opinion or arguments tied to the stated goal, with past tenses under control |
| 3, two documents (120 to 180 words) | Summarises the two views one after the other | Compares the two positions with contrast connectors, then defends its own view with an argument |
Here is what that step can look like on the same idea. The sentences are ours.
| Closer to B1 | Aiming at B2 |
|---|---|
| Je fais un pique-nique samedi. C’est dans le parc. (I’m having a picnic Saturday. It’s in the park.) | Pour que nous fassions connaissance, j’organise un pique-nique samedi au parc Jacques-Cartier. (So that we can get to know each other, I’m organising a picnic on Saturday at Jacques-Cartier park.) |
| Le télétravail c’est bien. On ne prend pas le bus. (Remote work is good. You don’t take the bus.) | Le télétravail fait gagner du temps, puisqu’on évite les trajets, mais il peut isoler les salariés. (Remote work saves time, since you avoid commuting, but it can isolate employees.) |
| Le document 1 dit oui. Le document 2 dit non. (Document 1 says yes. Document 2 says no.) | Alors que le premier auteur y voit un progrès, le second s’inquiète de ses effets sur la santé. (While the first author sees progress, the second worries about its effects on health.) |
The annotated model answers show this step from B1 to B2 on the same topic, for task 1, task 2 and task 3.
What can sink the whole paper
According to the handbook, the paper can be rated “A1 non atteint” (below A1) if a task is missing, if a task does not have the required number of words, if the text is off topic, if you copy sentences from the prompt or a document, if you write a memorised text, if the handwriting is illegible on paper, or if you write on the scrap paper instead of the booklet. An excellent task 3 may not save a missing task 1.
How much margin to take
10 out of 20 is a floor. With two markers, test-day stress and a calculation rule FEI does not publish, a text estimated at 10 in practice has no guarantee of getting 10 on test day. Building a point or two of margin in practice is safer. To see where you stand, write a task here. You get an estimated mark out of 20 with the NCLC range and each error corrected.