TEF Canada practice: how far are you from NCLC 7?
The TEF Canada is one of the two French tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry. Start with a free 5-minute estimate of your French level and the gap to your target.
SparkAI is an independent preparation tool. It is not the official exam, and it is not affiliated with France Éducation International, the CCI Paris Île-de-France, IRCC or any government. Only the official test gives a result you can use in an application.
About the TEF Canada
The TEF Canada is administered by CCI Paris Île-de-France. It tests speaking, listening, reading and writing. For Express Entry, IRCC asks you to enter the scores from the "Équivalence ancien score" column of your results.
The levels IRCC asks for
IRCC sets its minimums in NCLC levels (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens), for each of the four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing. For Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker: NCLC 7 in all four abilities (first official language)
- Federal Skilled Trades: NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, NCLC 4 in reading and writing
- Canadian Experience Class: NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
NCLC 7 and the CEFR
On IRCC's TCF Canada table, the reading scores for NCLC 7 fall in the B2 band of the TCF scale. That is why the estimate uses B2 as the target for NCLC 7: a rough guide, not a conversion IRCC makes.
Official sources
- Government of Canada (IRCC): Language test results, Express Entry (page checked by its publisher: 16 October 2026)
Rules change: always confirm on the official page before you book a test or apply.
Questions
Does IRCC accept the TEF Canada?
Yes. IRCC lists the TEF Canada, administered by CCI Paris Île-de-France, and the TCF Canada as the approved French tests for Express Entry.
Which TEF Canada scores go in my Express Entry profile?
IRCC asks you to enter the scores from the "Équivalence ancien score" column of your results, for each ability, and not the score out of 699.
Which NCLC level do I need?
It depends on the program: NCLC 7 in all four abilities for the Federal Skilled Worker program (first official language); other programs ask for NCLC 4 to 7. See IRCC's page for your case.
Is the estimate a TEF Canada practice test?
It is a free estimate of your French level (CEFR) from grammar and reading questions, with the gap to B2, a rough guide for NCLC 7. It isn't a TEF score, and the TEF Canada has its own format.
Is SparkAI official?
No. SparkAI is an independent preparation tool, not affiliated with the CCI Paris Île-de-France, IRCC or any government.
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