NCLC 9 in French: TEF and TCF Canada scores and CRS points
TEF Canada (tests since 11 December 2023): NCLC 9 starts at 503 out of 699 in reading and listening, 512 in writing and 518 in speaking. TCF Canada: 14 out of 20 in writing and speaking, 523 in listening, 524 in reading. Enter your scores below.
Updated November 1, 2026
NCLC 9 and CRS language points calculator
| Skill | NCLC | To NCLC 9 | CRS now | At NCLC 9 |
|---|
Estimate based on the score charts published by IRCC and CCI Paris Île-de-France and on the points listed on IRCC’s CRS criteria page (read 1 November 2026). It covers only the language part of your score; IRCC calculates your score from your official results. For information only, not immigration advice.
The minimum score for NCLC 9, skill by skill
| Skill | TEF Canada, score out of 699 (tests since 11 December 2023) | TEF Canada, « Équivalence ancien score » (Express Entry profile) | TCF Canada (IRCC chart) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 503–545 | 298–315 | 523–548 |
| Reading | 503–545 | 248–262 | 524–548 |
| Writing | 512–557 | 371–392 | 14–15/20 |
| Speaking | 518–555 | 371–392 | 14–15/20 |
- The first number is the minimum; above the second, you are at NCLC 10 or higher.
- On the CCI Paris Île-de-France chart, TEF Canada reading and listening share the same band.
- Your TEF Canada results document shows both TEF columns. IRCC says to enter the « Équivalence ancien score » in your Express Entry profile (language test page, modified 16 October 2026).
- For a TEF Canada test taken between 1 October 2019 and 10 December 2023, NCLC 9 is 533–565 in all four skills.
- For TCF Canada, writing and speaking each get one score out of 20 for their three tasks together.
Every level from NCLC 4 to NCLC 12 is in our NCLC score chart.
What NCLC 9 adds to your CRS score
In Express Entry, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores language ability by ability. Below are the language rows of IRCC’s CRS criteria page, read on 1 November 2026. We quote them for information only: we do not give immigration advice.
Core points for your first official language
| Level per ability | Per ability, with a spouse or partner | Per ability, without | All four abilities, with a spouse or partner | All four abilities, without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 | 16 | 17 | 64 | 68 |
| CLB 8 | 22 | 23 | 88 | 92 |
| CLB 9 | 29 | 31 | 116 | 124 |
| CLB 10 or more | 32 | 34 | 128 | 136 |
From NCLC 7 to NCLC 9 in all four abilities, the core language points go from 68 to 124 without a spouse or partner (+56), or from 64 to 116 with one (+52). From NCLC 8 to NCLC 9 the gain is +32 (+28 with a spouse or partner). “With a spouse or partner” applies only if they come with you to Canada and are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Skill transferability: NCLC 9 in all four doubles the language combinations
IRCC gives extra points when good results in your first official language combine with education or foreign work experience. The column depends on your four levels: CLB 7 or more in all four with one or more under CLB 9, or CLB 9 or more in all four.
| Combined with | CLB 7 or more, one or more under 9 | CLB 9 or more in all four |
|---|---|---|
| Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer | 13 | 25 |
| Two or more post-secondary credentials (one of 3 years or longer), a master’s or entry-to-practice professional degree, or a doctorate | 25 | 50 |
| 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience | 13 | 25 |
| 3 years or more of foreign work experience | 25 | 50 |
Education and foreign work experience are capped at 50 points each, and skill transferability at 100 in all; the combinations with Canadian work experience count towards the same caps.
An example
A candidate with no spouse or partner, a master’s degree, 3 years of foreign work experience, no Canadian work experience and French as first official language moves from NCLC 7 to NCLC 9 in all four abilities. Core language points: +56 (68 → 124). Education and language: +25 (25 → 50). Foreign work experience and language: +25 (25 → 50). In all, +106 CRS points from language results alone.
If French is your second official language
As a second official language, French gives 1 point per ability at CLB 5 or 6, 3 at CLB 7 or 8 and 6 at CLB 9 or more, up to 24 points (22 with a spouse or partner). From NCLC 7 to NCLC 9 in all four: from 12 to 24 points (12 to 22 with a spouse or partner).
The additional French points start at NCLC 7, not 9
IRCC adds 25 points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills with CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test), and 50 points with CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities. NCLC 9 does not raise this bonus: what it adds is in the core and skill transferability points above. The NCLC 7 requirements are in our NCLC 7 guide.
IRCC announces changes from 3 November 2026 to how points are awarded for Canadian work experience and valid job offers. Check the CRS criteria page before you rely on a number.
From NCLC 7 to NCLC 9: how many points to gain
| Skill | TEF Canada (score out of 699): NCLC 7 → NCLC 9 | TCF Canada: NCLC 7 → NCLC 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 434 → 503 (+69) | 458 → 523 (+65) |
| Reading | 434 → 503 (+69) | 453 → 524 (+71) |
| Writing | 428 → 512 (+84) | 10 → 14 out of 20 (+4) |
| Speaking | 456 → 518 (+62) | 10 → 14 out of 20 (+4) |
Minimum score of each level, from the CCI Paris Île-de-France chart (TEF Canada) and IRCC’s chart (TCF Canada). In TCF writing, going from 10 to 14 out of 20 means moving from the start of the B2 band (10 to 13) to the C1 band (14 to 17) on France Éducation international’s grid.
What changes in your writing between NCLC 7 and NCLC 9
The criteria published by CCI Paris Île-de-France for TEF writing do not change with the level: quality and effectiveness of the text (fit to the situation, overall structure, clarity of the information or argument, ability to develop, nuance and specify) and range and control of written French (vocabulary, syntax, tenses and moods, spelling). What changes is how far each one goes. Four habits that separate a paper aiming at NCLC 9 from a correct NCLC 7 paper:
- Develop each argument instead of listing several. For section B, CCI asks for at least three arguments with details and examples. At this level, each one needs a reason, a concrete example and a consequence, linked in the same paragraph.
- Nuance your position. Concede a point before answering it (« certes…, mais », « même si »), set limits (« dans la mesure où », « à condition que » + subjunctive) and say how strongly you hold a view.
- Choose the precise word. Replace general verbs with exact ones: « commettre une erreur » rather than « faire une erreur », « rencontrer des difficultés » rather than « avoir des problèmes », « souligner que » rather than « dire que ».
- Keep control in complex sentences. Long sentences only count if they stay correct: check the subjunctive after « bien que », the choice between « dont », « où » and « lequel », and past participle agreement.
To go further: TEF Canada section B, the opinion letter, and our TEF writing exercises with C1 model answers.
Is your writing at NCLC 9? Get an estimate
Write on this prompt (or paste your own): free preview with your estimated NCLC level and your 2 most important corrections.
Prompt of the day
Fermer les supermarchés le dimanche
Vous avez lu dans un journal l’affirmation suivante : « Les supermarchés devraient fermer le dimanche pour que tout le monde puisse se reposer. » Écrivez une lettre au journal pour dire ce que vous en pensez (200 mots minimum). Développez au moins trois arguments pour défendre votre point de vue.
Draft saved on this device
Free preview: estimated level and the first 2 corrections. Full report with a pack or a pass.
- Reading your text
- Checking the instructions
- Finding mistakes
- Estimating your level
- Writing the model answer
NCLC 9 FAQ
What TEF Canada score is NCLC 9?
For a test taken on or after 11 December 2023, the CCI Paris Île-de-France chart gives NCLC 9 from 503 out of 699 in reading and listening, 512 in writing and 518 in speaking. In the « Équivalence ancien score » column that IRCC asks for in your Express Entry profile, NCLC 9 starts at 298 in listening, 248 in reading and 371 in writing and speaking.
What TCF Canada score is NCLC 9?
According to IRCC’s chart: 14 or 15 out of 20 in writing and speaking, 523–548 in listening and 524–548 in reading. From 16 out of 20 in writing and speaking, you reach NCLC 10.
How many CRS points is CLB 9 in French?
If French is your first official language: 31 points per ability without a spouse or partner, 29 with one, so 124 or 116 for the four abilities (IRCC CRS criteria, read 1 November 2026). CLB 9 in all four also gives the higher column of skill transferability points.
Do I need NCLC 9 for the additional French points?
No. IRCC’s additional points for French ask for NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills: 25 points with CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test), 50 with CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities.
Are NCLC 9 and CLB 9 the same thing?
IRCC expresses French test results as NCLC levels (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) and English results as CLB levels (Canadian Language Benchmarks), and its CRS tables are written in CLB levels. “CLB 9 in French” therefore means NCLC 9.
Is NCLC 9 the same as C1?
For TCF Canada writing and speaking, 14 or 15 out of 20 falls in the C1 band of France Éducation international’s grid (14 to 17 out of 20). But C1 also covers NCLC 10 at 16 or 17: knowing you are “C1” does not tell you whether you have NCLC 9 or 10.
Sources
- IRCC, Express Entry: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria (read 1 November 2026).
- IRCC, Express Entry: language test results (modified 16 October 2026): TCF Canada chart, TEF Canada « Équivalence ancien score ».
- CCI Paris Île-de-France, Correspondance score TEF – niveau NCLC (PDF, in French) and article on section B (23 June 2020).
- France Éducation international, Comprendre mes résultats au TCF (level grids, in French).
TCF Canada Coach is an independent preparation tool with no link to IRCC, CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation international. Levels shown by our grader are estimates.