# A French test plan for Express Entry candidates

> A French test plan for Express Entry candidates: pick TEF Canada or TCF Canada, aim for NCLC 7 in all four, time it around 2-year validity and retake waits.

Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/for/express-entry-candidates
Last updated: 2026-10-26

You already know French can add points. This page turns that into a plan: what level to aim for, which test, and when to sit it so your results are still valid when you apply.

## Your target

- **NCLC 7 in all four abilities** is the key level: it’s the Federal Skilled Worker minimum, unlocks the 25 or 50 French bonus points, and makes you eligible for French-language proficiency draws.
- **NCLC 5** meets the Canadian Experience Class minimum for TEER 2 or 3 jobs and is the floor for second-language points.
- One weak ability can hold you back: the bonus and the category both need NCLC 7 in **all four**.

See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level.

## Your timeline

1. **Check your level.** Do a timed [reading](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test) and [listening](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice) set to see where you stand.
2. **Pick a test and a centre.** TEF Canada or TCF Canada: see [TEF vs TCF](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf), then book at an approved centre.
3. **Leave room for a retake.** TEF Canada needs 20 days between sittings, TCF Canada 30. Book early enough to sit again if one ability comes in short.
4. **Watch the 2-year clock.** Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application. If they’ll expire before you can apply, IRCC says you can retest, apply first, or decline the invitation and stay in the pool.
5. **Enter the right scores.** For TEF Canada, use the “Équivalence ancien score” column in your profile, not the score out of 699.

> We’re an independent practice site. We’re not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), France Éducation international (TCF Canada) or IRCC, and our questions are our own writing, not real exam questions.

## Questions people ask

### What French level should an Express Entry candidate aim for?

NCLC 7 in all four abilities. It meets the Federal Skilled Worker minimum, earns the French bonus points, and qualifies you for French-language proficiency draws.

### What if my results expire while I’m in the pool?

IRCC says you can retest, apply before they expire, or decline the invitation and remain in the pool. Applications with expired results are refused.

## Sources

- [Express Entry: language requirements by program (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Express Entry: category-based selection (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Express Entry: language test results (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TEF Canada: getting your certificate (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/certificate/) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TCF Canada: épreuves obligatoires (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/document/presentationtcfcanada-en) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC.

## Related

- [French for Express Entry: the levels that count](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/french-for-express-entry)
- [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf)
- [TEF Canada vs CELPIP: the French route or the English route](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-canada-vs-celpip)
- [TEF Canada practice test: compréhension écrite](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test)