What do I need for NCLC 9 in TCF Canada writing and speaking?
Checked November 2, 2026
You need 14 out of 20 in writing and in speaking. IRCC places NCLC 9 at 14 or 15, and NCLC 10 and above at 16. In France Éducation international’s (FEI) grid, 14 out of 20 is where B2 becomes C1, meaning fluent, well-structured expression, including on complex topics.
NCLC 8 or NCLC 9, the difference in marks
| Mark out of 20 | NCLC (IRCC) | Level (FEI) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 20 | 10 and above | C1–C2 |
| 14 to 15 | 9 | C1 |
| 12 to 13 | 8 | B2 |
| 10 to 11 | 7 | B2 |
For NCLC 9 in all four skills, you also need 523 in listening and 524 in reading.
NCLC 8 is still B2. NCLC 9 is the first level in IRCC’s chart where writing and speaking reach C1.
What C1 asks for beyond B2
FEI’s grid describes B2 (10 to 13) as a “general and spontaneous” command, with the ability to speak clearly and in detail and give reasoned opinions. C1 (14 to 17) is a “good command”. The person expresses themselves fluently and in a well-structured way about their social, work or academic life and about complex topics.
For speaking, the handbook lists among the skills assessed presenting a clear, structured argument in a style suited to the context, and presenting complex topics in a detailed, structured way, developing them and concluding. That is what task 3 asks of you in 4 min 30.
What that looks like in practice
This is our reading, FEI publishes no marked papers or recordings.
- In writing. The text is not just correct. It is organised from start to finish, ideas follow on without repetition, vocabulary is precise and the position is nuanced, with concessions (« certes… mais », granted… but). In task 3, comparing the two documents leads to a constructed personal view, not two summaries.
- In speaking. You speak without long pauses to search for words, you rephrase when a word is missing, you fill the 4 min 30 of task 3 with a clear plan, and you answer the examiner’s questions without losing the thread.
- One idea, two levels. « Le télétravail fait gagner du temps, mais il peut isoler les salariés » (remote work saves time, but it can isolate employees) is a good B2 sentence. « Si le télétravail libère du temps, encore faut-il que l’entreprise maintienne des liens entre collègues, faute de quoi le gain d’efficacité risque de se payer en isolement » (if remote work frees up time, the company still has to keep colleagues connected, or the efficiency gain may be paid for in isolation) nuances, ranks ideas and anticipates an objection. That is closer to what C1 asks. The sentence is ours.
- Errors. At C1 they are rare and don’t get in the way of understanding. Repeated agreement mistakes on simple structures pull you back towards B2.
What NCLC 9 is worth
For a single applicant, IRCC gives 23 CRS points per skill at NCLC 8 and 31 at NCLC 9, as first official language. With a post-secondary credential or foreign work experience, the language-related skill transferability points also go up when all four skills reach level 9. Details are in the score for NCLC 9.
Going from 12 to 14 in writing is 2 points out of 20, but a change of level. To see your estimated mark today and the errors holding you back, write a task here.