What TCF Canada reading score do I need for each NCLC level?
Checked November 2, 2026
In reading, IRCC places NCLC 7 at 453 to 498, NCLC 8 at 499 to 523, NCLC 9 at 524 to 548 and NCLC 10 and above from 549, on a scale of 100 to 699. Below 342, the score matches no NCLC level in the chart.
The reading chart
| NCLC | Score out of 699 | Level shown by FEI |
|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 549–699 | C1–C2 |
| 9 | 524–548 | C1 |
| 8 | 499–523 | B2–C1 |
| 7 | 453–498 | B2 |
| 6 | 406–452 | B2 |
| 5 | 375–405 | B1–B2 |
| 4 | 342–374 | B1 |
The NCLC bands come from IRCC, the CEFR levels from France Éducation international’s (FEI) handbook. A score of 341 or less does not convert.
The score you need
IRCC requires NCLC 7 in each skill for the Federal Skilled Worker program and for the Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 0 or 1 job, which is 453 here. With a TEER 2 or 3 job, it is NCLC 5, which is 375. For other programs, see what NCLC is.
The cut-offs to watch
- 452 or 453. One point separates NCLC 6 from NCLC 7. For a program that requires NCLC 7 in all four skills, 452 is enough to block the file.
- B2 does not guarantee NCLC 7. The whole NCLC 6 band, 406 to 452, is already labelled B2 by FEI. A “B2” on the certificate is not enough, look at the score.
- The columns don’t mix. In listening, NCLC 7 starts at 458, and 499 is still NCLC 7 there, while here it is NCLC 8. See the listening score.
The pace of the section
39 questions in 60 minutes, so about 1.5 minutes per question if you spread them evenly. Difficulty rises as you go. According to FEI, the texts move from everyday messages and documents (ads, timetables, letters) to articles where the author takes a position, then to long, abstract or specialised texts. In our view, keep more time for the last questions than for the first ones.
On paper, you tick answers on a separate sheet, without writing on the booklet, and an answer can be corrected only once, in the round box. On computer, the question and answers appear together on screen. FEI advises managing your time in this section and not wasting time on notes.
A wrong answer scores 0, the same as a blank. Leave no box empty at the end.
The reading method is in the listening and reading guide. Since each skill counts on its own, check your writing too. You can write a task and get an estimated mark out of 20.