TOCFL Levels, Bands & Word Lists The complete guide · 2026
The TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language, 華語文能力測驗) is Taiwan’s official Mandarin proficiency test, run by SC-TOP under Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. It has eight levels in four bands: Novice 1–2, Band A (Levels 1–2), Band B (Levels 3–4) and Band C (Levels 5–6), which SC-TOP aligns with CEFR A1 to C2. The official word list has 7,517 entries from Novice 1 to Level 5, and every one of them is on this site, searchable and downloadable by band.
Updated 2026-11-04 · Word lists from the official 2023 TOCFL list (華語八千詞表)
- Eight levels in four bands. You register for a band, and your score decides which of its two levels you earn.
- The Listening and Reading tests have 50 multiple-choice questions each, about 60 minutes per section (Novice: 25 questions, about 25 minutes).
- The official list counts 394 entries through Novice 2, 1,226 through Level 2, 4,741 through Level 4 and 7,517 through Level 5. Level 6 has no list of its own.
- Test centers in Taiwan use traditional characters only; overseas you can choose traditional or simplified.
- By word count, TOCFL Level 3 (B1) sits near HSK 4 on the 2026 HSK 3.0 syllabus.
What are the TOCFL levels?
The TOCFL has eight levels: Novice 1 and 2, then Levels 1 to 6. They are grouped into four bands, and each band is a separate test paper. The chart shows SC-TOP’s CEFR mapping, how many entries the official list adds at each level (and the running total), and the format of the Listening and Reading tests.
| Band | Level | CEFR (SC-TOP) | Official word list | Listening | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice | Novice 1 準備級一級 | below A1 | 160 (160 total) | 3 parts, 25 questions, about 25 min | 2 parts, 25 questions, about 25 min |
| Novice 2 準備級二級 | below A1 | 234 (394 total) | |||
| Band A | Level 1 入門級 | A1 | 347 (741 total) | 4 parts, 50 questions, about 60 min | 5 parts, 50 questions, 60 min |
| Level 2 基礎級 | A2 | 485 (1,226 total) | |||
| Band B | Level 3 進階級 | B1 | 1,173 (2,399 total) | 2 parts (dialogues, passages), 50 questions, about 60 min | 2 parts (gap filling, reading comprehension), 50 questions, 60 min |
| Level 4 高階級 | B2 | 2,342 (4,741 total) | |||
| Band C | Level 5 流利級 | C1 | 2,776 (7,517 total) | 2 parts (dialogues, passages), 50 questions, about 60 min | 2 parts (gap filling, reading comprehension), 50 questions, 60 min |
| Level 6 精通級 | C2 | No separate list |
The CEFR column is SC-TOP’s own mapping; independent European reviews have called both the TOCFL’s and the HSK’s CEFR claims generous. “Official word list” counts entries in the 2023 list; a few words repeat at a higher level with another part of speech. Pass scores, study hours and what you can do at each level are on the TOCFL levels explained page.
TOCFL vocabulary lists by band
Each band page has the full official list for that band with traditional and simplified characters, pinyin, zhuyin and an English gloss, plus search, a 10-word quiz, a print view and a free CSV. Band A includes the two Novice lists, since the Band A test assumes them.
Prefer flashcards? Study the same lists as browser decks: Band A, Band B and Band C.
How do TOCFL levels compare to HSK?
Only approximately. SC-TOP’s own comparison table lines TOCFL Level 1 up with HSK 3 of the old HSK 2.0 (600 words) and Level 4 with HSK 6 (5,000 words). Against the 2026 HSK 3.0 syllabus, matching by word count, TOCFL Level 2 is close to HSK 3 and Level 3 to HSK 4.
| TOCFL | Official list, cumulative | SC-TOP’s HSK 2.0 comparison | Nearest HSK 3.0 (2026) by word count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novice 1–2 | 394 | No official match (below A1) | HSK 1–2 (300 / 500) |
| Level 1 | 741 | HSK 3 (600 words) | HSK 2–3 (500 / 1,000) |
| Level 2 | 1,226 | HSK 4 (1,200) | HSK 3 (1,000) |
| Level 3 | 2,399 | HSK 5 (2,500) | HSK 4 (2,000) |
| Level 4 | 4,741 | HSK 6 (5,000) | HSK 5–6 (3,600 / 5,400) |
| Level 5 | 7,517 | None | Between HSK 6 (5,400) and 7–9 (about 11,000) |
| Level 6 | No separate list | None | HSK 7–9 |
The HSK 3.0 figures are the cumulative targets of the 2026 syllabus (see our HSK vocabulary lists). For the full comparison, including audio, scripts and which test to take, read TOCFL vs HSK.
Where and how can you take the TOCFL?
In Taiwan, at test centers with regular dates through the year; overseas, at a few sittings a year organized with Taiwan’s overseas offices and partner institutions. It is not offered in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
- Script: test centers in Taiwan offer traditional characters only. Overseas you choose traditional or simplified when you register.
- Not sure which band? SC-TOP suggests the computerized adaptive test (CAT), which does not ask you to pick a level.
- Retakes: you cannot register for the same test level twice in the same month.
- Certificates do not expire, though schools and employers may set their own limits. Digital transcripts and certificates can be downloaded for two years after the test.
- Dates: check the official overseas schedule or the Taiwan schedule. Overseas sittings are few, so register early.
More TOCFL guides
Frequently asked questions
How many levels does the TOCFL have?
Eight levels in four bands. Band Novice has Novice 1 and 2 (準備級), Band A has Level 1 (入門級) and Level 2 (基礎級), Band B has Level 3 (進階級) and Level 4 (高階級), and Band C has Level 5 (流利級) and Level 6 (精通級). SC-TOP aligns Levels 1 to 6 with CEFR A1 to C2. You register for a band, and your score decides which of its two levels you are certified at, if either.
How many words do I need for each TOCFL level?
The official word list has 160 entries for Novice 1 and 394 through Novice 2, 741 through Level 1, 1,226 through Level 2, 2,399 through Level 3, 4,741 through Level 4 and 7,517 through Level 5. Level 6 has no separate list. SC-TOP’s older round guidance (500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000 and 8,000 words) is still quoted widely, but the 2023 list is the one to study.
Which HSK level is TOCFL Band A?
Roughly HSK 2 to 3 on the 2026 HSK 3.0 syllabus. Band A’s list reaches 1,226 entries at Level 2, close to the 1,000 words of HSK 3.0 level 3; SC-TOP’s own table puts Level 2 next to old HSK 4 (1,200 words). Treat every TOCFL to HSK match as approximate.
What is a passing score on the TOCFL?
Listening and Reading are each scored on a 0 to 80 scale. Since 2020 the certificate is based on the total of both sections plus a minimum in each: for example, Level 3 needs 94 in total with at least 42 in listening and 44 in reading. The full table is on our TOCFL levels page.
Can I take the TOCFL in simplified characters?
Only outside Taiwan. SC-TOP says test centers in Taiwan offer traditional characters only, while overseas centers let you choose traditional or simplified. If Taiwan is your goal, study in traditional either way.
What is the TBCL, and how is it different from the TOCFL list?
The TBCL (Taiwan Benchmarks for the Chinese Language, 臺灣華語文能力基準) is a seven-level framework from Taiwan’s National Academy for Educational Research, with a larger word list (14,470 words through level 7, per the comparison sheet in SC-TOP’s workbook). The TOCFL list was adjusted against it in 2022, and TOCFL transcripts have shown a TBCL level since August 2021, but the exam’s own list is still the 7,517-entry one.
Sources: the official TOCFL word list (華語八千詞表) from SC-TOP, the July 2023 file (8000zhuyin_202307), whose 7,517 entries are unchanged in the September 2024 re-issue on the official download page; SC-TOP’s 2022 note on the list adjustment; test format, CEFR and ability descriptions from tocfl.edu.tw; certificate scores from SC-TOP’s March 2020 announcement. Checked 2026-11-04.
