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TCF Canada scores and CLB levels: the calculator and the chart
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In the TCF Canada, listening and reading are scored from 100 to 699, and speaking and writing from 1 to 20; each score maps to a CEFR level, then to a CLB level (NCLC in French) — the only one IRCC reads. CLB 7 requires 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10/20 in both speaking and writing — so a “B2” on your results certificate isn’t always enough. Here are both tables, and what they mean for your application.
- Listening and reading scored out of 699, speaking and writing out of 20.
- CLB 7 = 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10/20 in speaking and in writing.
- CLB 9 = 523 in listening and 524 in reading, 14/20 in speaking and in writing.
- ⚠️ B2 starts at 400: a B2 of 420 in listening is only worth CLB 6.
- For sessions held since 1 September 2026, re-marking is no longer possible.
Contents
Calculator: your TCF Canada scores in CLB
Enter your four scores — or the ones you are aiming for: the CLB level for each skill appears, based on the IRCC table reproduced below, with the matching CEFR level.
| Skill | Score | CEFR | CLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | — | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | — |
| Speaking | — | — | — |
| Writing | — | — | — |
Your profile will appear here: the lowest CLB of the four skills, the one IRCC uses.
The calculator reproduces the thresholds of the IRCC equivalency tables (below) and the TCF’s CEFR bands. It replaces neither your results certificate nor IRCC’s own tool; if they differ, the official table is the reference. No data is sent anywhere: everything is calculated in your browser.
How you are scored
The TCF is a placement test, not an exam you can fail. There is no minimum score per section and no pass mark: you get a score for each test, and the organization that receives your application decides whether that score is enough.
| CEFR level | Listening and reading /699 | Speaking and writing /20 |
|---|---|---|
| Below A1 | 0–99 | — |
| A1 | 100–199 | 1 |
| A2 | 200–299 | 2–5 |
| B1 | 300–399 | 6–9 |
| B2 | 400–499 | 10–13 |
| C1 | 500–599 | 14–17 |
| C2 | 600–699 | 18–20 |
Your listening and reading score is not your number of correct answers: it is calculated by a model that weights the difficulty of the questions you were given. Two candidates with the same number of correct answers can get different scores.
From TCF score to CLB level
For your Canadian application, the only thing that counts is the CLB level — Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) in French — that each of your four scores falls into. Here is the official conversion.
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
“I have B2, so I have CLB 7” is wrong. B2 starts at 400 in listening; CLB 7 starts at 458. Between the two there are 58 points and a whole CLB level. It is the most expensive misunderstanding of the TCF Canada — it has its own page: TCF Canada CLB 7: the exact scores to aim for, test by test.
Your weakest test decides. IRCC looks at your full profile, and CLB 9 in reading doesn’t make up for CLB 6 in listening. Your preparation strategy follows directly from this.
Know where you stand before paying $440
Timed mock exams in the exact TCF Canada format, an automatic CLB conversion for each test, and AI feedback on writing and speaking against the official criteria — in the “TCF DELF TEF: Tests 2026” app.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
What score do I need for CLB 7 in the TCF Canada?
458 in listening, 453 in reading, and 10 out of 20 in both speaking and writing. CLB 7 in all four skills is the reference threshold of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. One point lower and you drop to CLB 6.
Related pages
- TCF Canada CLB 7: the exact scores
458 in listening, 453 in reading — and why B2 isn’t always enough.
- TCF Canada format
The four tests, how long they take, and the format traps.
- Free TCF Canada practice test
Check your level in the real format before you book.
Rules change. This page is up to date as of 7 August 2026 and is not immigration advice: thresholds, conversion tables and invitation rounds change regularly. Always check your situation on canada.ca and the exam format on france-education-international.fr before you register or apply.