The 'NCLC 9' Vocabulary Checklist: 100 High-Level Words

To reach an NCLC 9 or 10 in the TEF/TCF Canada, your vocabulary must be Precise, Varied, and Academic.

If you keep using words like bon, mauvais, faire, and dire, you are signaling a B1 or B2 level. To signal a C1 level, you must use words that show nuance, complexity, and professional maturity.

At PrepMyFrench, we’ve curated the "Master 100"—the 100 words that appear most frequently in high-scoring scripts and sophisticated reading passages.

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1. Verbs of Action and Thought (Sophisticated)

Don't say "To do" or "To think." Say:

1. Préconiser: To advocate/recommend.
2. S'avérer: To turn out to be.
3. Engendrer: To generate/cause.
4. Pérenniser: To make sustainable/durable.
5. Pallier: To compensate for/overcome.
6. Occulter: To hide/mask.
7. Inculquer: To instill.
8. Déclencher: To trigger.
9. Contrecarrer: To counteract.
10. Amoindrir: To diminish.

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2. Adjectives for High-Level Descriptions

Don't say "Important" or "New." Say: 11. Primordial: Essential. 12. Incontournable: Unmissable/Essential. 13. Vétuste: Dilapidated/Old. 14. Éphémère: Short-lived. 15. Lucratif: Profitable. 16. Révolu: Over/Finished. 17. Tangible: Touchables/Real. 18. Obsolète: Outdated. 19. Exacerbé: Heightened/Aggravated. 20. Dérisoire: Tiny/Laughable.

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3. Nouns for Professional and Social Themes

21. Le fléau: The plague/scourge.
22. L'enjeu: The stake/issue.
23. La polémique: The controversy.
24. Le déclin: The decline.
25. La pénurie: The shortage.
26. L'essor: The rise/growth.
27. Le paradoxe: The paradox.
28. La disparité: The disparity.
29. Le consensus: The consensus.
30. Le mécontentement: The dissatisfaction.

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4. The "Logical Connector" Power-Ups

Use these to structure your TEF Writing Task 2. 31. Nonobstant: Notwithstanding. 32. Par ailleurs: Furthermore. 33. Certes: Admitted/Indeed. 34. En l'occurrence: In this case. 35. Dès lors: Consequently/From then on.

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5. How to Memorize the "Master 100"

Don't use a dictionary. Use Contextual Immersion.

1. Read them in context: See how they are used in our Reading Mastery Pack.
2. Use them in writing: Try to force 5 of these words into every essay you write.
3. Get AI Feedback: Our Writing Grader will highlight these words and give you "Lexical Density" points for using them correctly.

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Conclusion: Vocabulary is Your Armor

In the TCF/TEF Canada, you are going to war with the exam. These 100 words are your armor and your weapons. Master them, and you will walk into the exam room with the confidence of a native speaker.

Download the full 100-word PDF checklist here →