TEF Score Chart for TEF Canada: Convert Your Results to CLB/NCLC Levels

According to the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), if a person is proficient in the French language, their Express Entry profile will improve dramatically, providing the eligible candidates with the chance to earn additional CRS points for their French knowledge. TEF results will not be useful without the actual knowledge on how to convert them into the Canadian language standard. This TEF Canada score chart is meant to explain how to convert each TEF Canada skill to CLB/NCLC levels, the required scores for immigration, and how to find the next score target to get a permanent residence, citizenship, study, or work.

TEF Canada Score Chart: Official CLB/NCLC Conversion by Skill

Although Canada has its own French benchmark known as NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens), many immigrants look for information about the CLB levels. It is important to convert each skill accordingly since the IRCC rates each of the skills individually.

How to Read the TEF Score Chart Without Entering the Wrong Score

Some people mistakenly think that since their TEF Canada certificate has multiple score indicators, they could be confused and make a mistake. You can come across:

• Score / 699 on your TEF certificate

• Équivalence ancien score used by IRCC for Express Entry

• The appropriate CLB/NCLC level after conversion for the score.

If the IRCC asks for the previous value, do not say your raw result 0-699. Use the column that is indicated by the IRCC for the score to provide yourself with a correct language assessment.

If you need to prepare before taking the test, a TEF practice test may be a great tool that gets you ready for the test and helps you understand score interpretation in terms of passing the immigration process.

TEF Canada Score Chart for CLB 7, CLB 9, and 10+ Goals

It is very essential to convert each skill as per its relevance because every skill has a different score.

TEF Score Chart Differences Across Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing

A frequent error committed by candidates is the assumption that TEF Canada scores can be averaged for determining overall CLB/NCLC level. In reality, IRCC assesses different language skills independently, implying Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing are converted separately using TEF score chart.

Consequently, a student’s success in any specific skill cannot offset low performance in another. Language proficiency evaluation involves looking at the results for each skill separately and even having a minimum CLB/NCLC level requirement across all criteria by several immigration streams.

Thus, considering the sample above, candidates have achieved NCLC 7 in Speaking, Listening, and Reading, but NCLC 6 in Writing. If the selected immigration program stipulates NCLC 7 in all areas, the candidate will not meet language requirements, even despite success in other segments.

That is why it is important to detect weaknesses in skills before taking the exam a second time. Focused preparation is more effective than studying all the sections equally. For example, if Reading or Listening is the cause of yielding poor results, extra TCF Reading Practice or TCF Listening Practice can help improve French overall skills while speaking practice will make a candidate more confident in TEF Canada.

TEF Canada Score Chart for Express Entry and CRS Points

The TEF Canada score chart does not merely serve as a conversion tool but it also plays a key role in planning routes to immigration. TEF Canada represents an approved French language test for Express Entry and every potential applicant's better performance in French can yield them an extra 50 CRS points. 

However, do not forget to check the required CLB/NCLC level in your chosen program. If any skill you have does not let you achieve a higher score you should find out what it is before taking another TEF Canada exam. 

A diagnostic test can help to identify your weaknesses and focus your preparation. Candidates who struggle to improve their listening score often benefit from additional TCF listening practice, as it develops essential comprehension skills that are equally valuable for TEF Canada preparation.

Many people want to know the TCF score chart as well but the TEF Canada test cannot be interchanged with TCF Canada.

TEF Canada Score Chart vs TCF Canada Score Chart

Numerous applicants are searching for a TCF score chart, without knowing that TEF Canada and TCF Canada are two different exams. IRCC accepts both exams, however they have different systems of scoring. It is impossible to use TCF conversions for TEF Canada scores or vice versa.

Ensure that you have chosen the official conversion method appropriate for the test you have passed.

TEF Score Chart Summary for Your Next Step

Whether you are planning on applying through Express Entry or getting Canadian citizenship, improving just one score can get you closer to the desired CLB/NCLC level. If speaking is preventing you from reaching your target CLB/NCLC level, regular TCF speaking practice, together with TCF writing practice can help you build stronger overall French communication skills before your next TEF Canada exam. 

Not sure which skill is keeping you below your target CLB level? Take a mock exam with FrenchBoost to identify your weakest area before retaking TEF Canada. This is how an individual can read their TEF Canada score chart:

1. Identify the score for every skill.

2. Convert each skill independently.

3. Use the chosen column heading according to IRCC.

4. Identify your weakest skill.

5. Create a new study plan according to the best score you have.