Unofficial prep for Canadian PR
TCF Canada and TEF Canada prep, measured in NCLC.
Practise every section in the real format and timing, see why each answer choice is right or wrong, and follow an estimated NCLC level for each of the four skills.
Convert an official score to NCLC
The two NCLC Ready apps, TCF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready and TEF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready, are not in the stores yet. The free converter and practice questions on this site work now.
The tests
Two tests, one scale
IRCC accepts both tests for Express Entry and converts every skill to an NCLC level. Here is how their formats compare.
| Section | TCF Canada | TEF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 questions · 35 min | 40 questions · 40 min |
| Reading | 39 questions · 60 min | 40 questions · 60 min |
| Writing | 3 tasks · 60 min | 2 sections · 60 min |
| Speaking | 3 tasks · 12 min | 2 sections · 15 min |
| Format | Paper or computer (by centre); speaking face to face | Computer; speaking face to face |
| Wait before a retake | 20 days | 20 days |
| Results valid for | 2 years | 2 years |
Two apps
One app for each test
Each app follows a single test exactly, with its own free tier and its own subscription. Install the one for the test you are booking.
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Separate app
TCF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready
The TCF Canada format and timing, with an AI examiner for the task 2 interaction and IRCC’s TCF Canada chart for the NCLC estimate.
- 39 + 39 questions
- 3 writing tasks
- 3 speaking tasks
Read the guideTry 10 free TCF Canada questions
Not in the stores yet.
-
Separate app
TEF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready
The TEF Canada format and timing, with an AI examiner for speaking sections A and B and IRCC’s chart for the Équivalence ancien score.
- 40 + 40 questions
- Writing A and B
- Speaking A and B
Read the guideTry 10 free TEF Canada questions
Not in the stores yet.
Inside the apps
What practice looks like
Screens from the release builds will appear here. Until then, the free questions on this site show the same explanations the apps use.
All four skills
What you practise in NCLC Ready
Reading and listening
Questions that get harder as you go, as in the real test, with an explanation for every answer choice in English or French. Listening transcripts appear after you answer.
Writing
Timed tasks with a word counter and model answers at NCLC 7 and 9. Optional AI feedback rates task, coherence, vocabulary and grammar against NCLC descriptors and suggests corrections.
Speaking
Timed tasks with preparation time. In the interactive tasks (TCF Canada task 2, TEF Canada sections A and B) an AI examiner plays the other person using your phone’s French voice.
Mock exams
Full timed mocks for each test, with results per section and an estimated NCLC range.
Review
A mistake journal and scheduled review of the questions you missed or guessed.
Progress
An estimated NCLC level for each skill against your target, with your weakest sub-skills.
NCLC levels in the app are estimates to guide your practice. Only your official test results count for IRCC.
- No account and no sign-up. Progress, answers and settings are stored on your device.
- Your voice is never recorded or uploaded. Speech is transcribed on the device, and no voiceprint is made.
- AI feedback is optional and asks first. The pop-up says what is sent (your text or transcript and the task), where it goes (our server, then Google’s Gemini models on Vertex AI, which may process it in the United States or other Google Cloud locations), that Google does not train on it, and that we keep nothing afterwards.
- No ads, analytics or trackers, in the apps or on this website.
- Delete everything at any time in Settings > Privacy Center.
Sources
Checked against the official pages
Formats, timings and NCLC ranges on this site come from the test owners and from IRCC. We recheck them before each release.
IRCC
Express Entry language results and the NCLC equivalency tables
IRCC: Express Entry language test resultsFrance Éducation International
TCF Canada: sections, timing, scores and retakes
France Éducation International: TCF Canada (the French page is the most current)CCI Paris Île-de-France
TEF Canada: tests, timing, scores and retakes
CCI Paris Île-de-France: TEF Canada
Last checked: September 23, 2026.
Plans
Free to start
Free
- A 12-minute level check with an estimated NCLC level
- A daily sample of 10 questions per comprehension skill
- One mock section per skill
- All model answers, and a sample of AI feedback
Subscription
- All practice, mocks and review
- AI feedback on writing and speaking, within weekly fair-use limits
- The AI examiner for interactive speaking tasks
- Monthly, 3-month or yearly plans, bought and managed in the App Store or Google Play
Questions people ask
What is NCLC?
NCLC stands for Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, the 12-level scale Canada uses for French. IRCC converts each of your four TCF Canada or TEF Canada scores to an NCLC level, and programs set their minimums in those levels.
Which test should I take, TCF Canada or TEF Canada?
IRCC accepts both for Express Entry and converts both to NCLC levels. They differ in format: for example, TEF Canada reading, listening and writing are on computer, while TCF Canada can be on paper or computer depending on the centre. Most people choose by centre location and available dates.
Is NCLC Ready official?
No. NCLC Ready is independent practice material and is not affiliated with France Éducation International or CCI Paris Île-de-France. All questions are original, and scores in the app are estimates.
Why are there two apps?
Each test has its own app, so everything in it matches one format: TCF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready for TCF Canada, and TEF Canada Prep: NCLC Ready for TEF Canada. Install the one for the test you are booking. A subscription covers only the app you buy it in.
How much does it cost?
Each app is free to download and includes a free level check, daily sample questions, one mock section per skill and all model answers. A subscription through the App Store or Google Play unlocks everything, including AI feedback. Prices are shown in the store before you confirm.
Does the app record my voice?
No. Speech is transcribed on your device and the audio is never saved or uploaded. The app creates no voiceprint.
What happens to text I send for AI feedback?
It goes only when you ask for feedback and tick the consent box. It passes through the NCLC Ready server (Google Cloud, Montréal) to Google’s Gemini models on Vertex AI, which may process it in the United States or other Google Cloud locations. Google does not use it to train its models, and we do not store it after the feedback comes back.
Start with the free questions
10 original TCF Canada and 10 TEF Canada reading questions, with an explanation for every answer choice. No sign-up, nothing sent or saved.