How to convert TCF scores to CLB levels?
Our TCF to CLB calculator will help you convert your language test results from TCF scores to CLB level using the language test equivalency charts provided by IRCC.
For other tests:
The methodology
Here are the language test equivalency charts provided by IRCC that we used for the calculator:
| CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Applicants applying for Permanent Residence to Canada and for Canadian Citizenship, are required to prove language skills by taking a language test approved by Canada immigration authority – Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) in French, is the national standards of English and French for describing, measuring and recognizing second language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada. IRCC will only process the immigration applications based on CLB. If you don’t have your language test in CLB, it must be from an agency approved by IRCC.
These are the approved language tests:
- English
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- you must take the CELPIP-General test
- The General-LS test is not accepted for Express Entry
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System
- you must take the General Training option
- The Academic option is not accepted for Express Entry
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- French
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français, including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
Each test evaluates and gives scores for four abilities: reading, speaking, writing and listening.
TCF is on the list of the approved language tests. So if you are applying for an immigration program within the Express Entry system such as Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Trades Program, and you have a TCF result, you can include it in the application
Using the TCF to CLB Converter, you can use the determined CLB level based on your TCF scores for your permanent residence application.