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TCF Canada exam: format, score chart and how to prepare
TCF Canada is the French test from France Éducation international that IRCC accepts for Express Entry, other permanent residence programs and citizenship. Here is how the exam works, what score you need and how to prepare.
TCF Canada at a glance
- Four compulsory tests: listening, reading, writing and speaking, 2 hours 47 minutes in total.
- Listening and reading give a score up to 699, writing and speaking a score out of 20.
- IRCC converts each score to an NCLC level, the French version of the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
- Results are valid for 2 years for IRCC.
The four tests
| Test | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 multiple-choice questions | 35 min |
| Reading | 39 multiple-choice questions | 60 min |
| Writing | 3 tasks: a message (60-120 words), a story or article (120-150 words), an argument based on two documents (120-180 words) | 60 min |
| Speaking | 3 tasks with an examiner: a guided interview (2 min), a role play where you ask for information (5 min 30 with 2 min to prepare), your opinion on a question (4 min 30) | 12 min |
Each writing task has its own guide with a model answer: Task 1, Task 2, Task 3.
TCF Canada score chart (NCLC)
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Source: IRCC equivalency tables, checked 15 October 2026. Always confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
What score you need
- Express Entry, French-language category: NCLC 7 in all four skills, which means at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and speaking.
- More CRS points: every NCLC level above 7 adds points to your Express Entry score, so NCLC 9 (14 out of 20 in writing and speaking) is worth the extra work.
- Citizenship: NCLC 4 in listening and speaking, which means 331 in listening and 4 out of 20 in speaking.
Booking and fees
You book TCF Canada at a test centre approved by France Éducation international, and each centre sets its own dates and price. In India, Alliance Française centres in several cities run TCF Canada sessions; Alliance Française de Delhi, for example, lists ₹26,000 including GST for its 2026 sessions. Seats per session are limited, so book a few weeks ahead of your deadline.
How to prepare
- Find your weakest skill first. Do one timed practice of each test, then spend most of your time on the skill furthest from your target NCLC.
- Writing and speaking are marked by examiners out of 20. 10 is the line for NCLC 7, and points are lost on missing parts of the task, weak structure and repeated grammar mistakes.
- Practise the three writing tasks with a timer. 60 minutes for all three is tight: about 10 to 15 minutes for Task 1, 20 for Task 2 and 25 for Task 3.
- Get every text corrected. Writing without feedback repeats the same mistakes. Read each correction and rewrite the sentence yourself.
- Listening and reading: French news, podcasts and short articles every day, and timed practice with the 39-question format so the pace does not surprise you.
Practise TCF Canada writing
Paste your Task 1, 2 or 3 answer and get a score out of 20, your NCLC level and every mistake explained in English, Português, हिंदी or ਪੰਜਾਬੀ. 5 free checks a day, no sign-up.
Check my writing freeQuestions
How long is the TCF Canada exam?
2 hours 47 minutes in total: 35 minutes of listening, 60 minutes of reading, 60 minutes of writing and 12 minutes of speaking.
What is a good TCF Canada score?
For Express Entry, aim for NCLC 7 or higher in every skill: at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and speaking. NCLC 9 (523 in listening, 524 in reading, 14 out of 20 in writing and speaking) gives more CRS points.
How much does the TCF Canada exam cost?
Each test centre sets its own fee. In India, Alliance Française de Delhi lists ₹26,000 including GST for its 2026 sessions. Check the centre you plan to book.
Is TCF Canada accepted for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. For citizenship you need NCLC 4 in listening and speaking: 331 in listening and 4 out of 20 in speaking.
How long is a TCF Canada result valid?
For IRCC, TCF Canada results are valid for 2 years.