The essentials in 30 seconds
- Tier 1 — eligible: CLB 7 everywhere (listening 458, reading 453, speaking 10, writing 10).
- Tier 2 — competitive: CLB 9 everywhere (523, 524, 14/20). Worth 56 more CRS points than CLB 7 for a single applicant.
- Tier 3 — formidable: CLB 10 everywhere (549 and 16/20), the maximum for language.
- Keep a 30-point margin in comprehension: exam-day nerves cost more than people expect.
Contents
Forget the average candidate
People often ask us what the average TCF Canada score is. Honestly, it does not help. Nobody is invited to permanent residence for beating an average. You are invited because each of your four skills clears a precise bar, and because your CRS total clears the round.
A good score is therefore defined by your objective. We use three tiers with our candidates.
The three tiers, with official numbers
Where do you sit?
- CLB 4citizenship
- CLB 5Francophone Mobility
- CLB 6
- targetCLB 7eligible
- CLB 8
- CLB 9competitive
- CLB 10+
| Tier | CLB | Listening | Reading | Speaking / Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible | 7 | 458 | 453 | 10/20 |
| Solid | 8 | 503 | 499 | 12/20 |
| Competitive | 9 | 523 | 524 | 14/20 |
| Formidable | 10+ | 549 | 549 | 16/20 |
What each tier is worth in CRS points
In Express Entry your first official language earns points per skill. For a candidate with no accompanying spouse:
| CLB reached | Points per skill | Total for four skills |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 5 | 6 | 24 |
| 6 | 9 | 36 |
| 7 | 17 | 68 |
| 8 | 23 | 92 |
| 9 | 31 | 124 |
| 10 and above | 34 | 136 |
68
CRS points at CLB 7
124
CRS points at CLB 9
+56
for two levels gained
The margin your practice tests should show
A mock test at home is not the real thing: no unfamiliar room, no neighbour coughing through the audio, no official clock. Across our candidates, the gap between the best mock and the real result runs from 20 to 40 points in comprehension.
| Your official target | Aim for this in practice |
|---|---|
| CLB 7 (458 / 453) | 490+ / 485+ |
| CLB 9 (523 / 524) | 550+ / 550+ |
| Speaking / writing 10 | 11 to 12, consistently |
“Aim at the bar and you will miss it by a little. Aim thirty points above it and nerves have room to happen.”
Where the easiest points are
Writing is often the shortcut
Most candidates lose points on structure, not vocabulary. Respecting the word count and the expected plan is usually worth one or two points.
Reading rewards time management
60 minutes for 39 questions of rising difficulty: whoever lingers on the easy texts runs out of time for the hard ones.
Speaking is decided on task 3
Defending an opinion for 4 min 30 with no preparation is the most discriminating task, and the most trainable one.
Listening improves slowly
Start it on day one and never skip a day — it is the skill that moves the least per hour invested.
Felix Academy practice packs
From eligible to competitive
Track your score across 40 full series and find the skill that will earn you the most CRS points.
- 40 full series: listening, reading, writing, speaking
- Audio transcripts and detailed answer keys
- Writing and speaking topics with model answers
- AI writing simulator (15 sessions)
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good score on the TCF Canada?
For immigration, a good score is at least CLB 7 in all four skills: 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in speaking and writing. To be competitive in Express Entry, aim for CLB 9: 523, 524 and 14 out of 20.
How many CRS points is CLB 9 worth on the TCF Canada?
For a single applicant, the first official language is worth 31 points per skill at CLB 9, so 124 points for four skills, against 68 at CLB 7.
What is the maximum TCF Canada score?
Listening and reading are scored up to 699, speaking and writing up to 20. The top IRCC band is CLB 10 and above, reached from 549 in comprehension and 16/20 in production.
Is 10 out of 20 in writing a good score?
It is enough to be eligible: 10/20 equals CLB 7 and level B2. But 12/20 (CLB 8) or 14/20 (CLB 9) earns noticeably more CRS points.
Official sources
About the author
Akono Germy
TCF & TEF Canada coach — method and production skills
Coaches Felix Academy candidates for TCF and TEF Canada on exam method, writing and speaking.
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