TOCFL Levels Explained Novice to Level 6 · Bands A, B, C · CEFR
The TOCFL has eight levels: Novice 1 and 2, then Levels 1 to 6, which SC-TOP maps to CEFR A1 to C2. They come in four bands (Novice, A, B and C) of two levels each. You sit one band’s test, and your Listening plus Reading score decides which of its two levels you earn. The official word list grows from 160 entries at Novice 1 to 7,517 at Level 5.
By Ray Banks · Updated 2026-11-04
- Novice 1–2 (below A1) · Band A: Level 1 (A1), Level 2 (A2) · Band B: Level 3 (B1), Level 4 (B2) · Band C: Level 5 (C1), Level 6 (C2).
- Each section is scored 0 to 80. A certificate needs a combined score plus a minimum in each section, for example 94 for Level 3.
- Official list, cumulative: 394 (Novice 2), 741 (Level 1), 1,226 (Level 2), 2,399 (Level 3), 4,741 (Level 4), 7,517 (Level 5). No list for Level 6.
- Not sure which band to book? SC-TOP suggests the adaptive CAT test, which needs no level choice.
What are the TOCFL levels and bands?
Four bands with two levels each. The table lists every level with its Chinese name, SC-TOP’s CEFR mapping and the size of the official word list. The list counts are exact entries in the 2023 list; the last column is the round guidance SC-TOP published before the 2022 revision, which many sites still quote.
| Level | Chinese name | CEFR (SC-TOP) | New entries on the 2023 list | Cumulative | SC-TOP’s older round target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Novice (準備級) | |||||
| Novice 1 | 準備級一級 zhǔnbèi jí yī jí | below A1 | 160 | 160 | ~300 (Novice band) |
| Novice 2 | 準備級二級 zhǔnbèi jí èr jí | below A1 | 234 | 394 | ~300 (Novice band) |
| Band A (入門基礎級) | |||||
| Level 1 | 入門級 rùmén jí | A1 | 347 | 741 | 500 |
| Level 2 | 基礎級 jīchǔ jí | A2 | 485 | 1,226 | 1,000 |
| Band B (進階高階級) | |||||
| Level 3 | 進階級 jìnjiē jí | B1 | 1,173 | 2,399 | 2,500 |
| Level 4 | 高階級 gāojiē jí | B2 | 2,342 | 4,741 | 5,000 |
| Band C (流利精通級) | |||||
| Level 5 | 流利級 liúlì jí | C1 | 2,776 | 7,517 | 8,000 |
| Level 6 | 精通級 jīngtōng jí | C2 | none | No separate list | 8,000+ |
Entries, not distinct words: 302 entries repeat a word from an earlier level with another part of speech, such as 家 (a noun at Novice 1, a measure word at Level 3). Browse the lists by band: Band A (with Novice), Band B, Band C.
What can you do at each TOCFL level?
SC-TOP describes each level by what you can read and understand. Novice and Level 1 assume slow speech, pictures and rereading; by Level 3 you follow plain texts on familiar topics; Level 5 means long, complex texts in and outside your field.
| Level | Reading: you can… | Listening: you can… |
|---|---|---|
| Novice 1 | With rereading and context, pick out high-frequency words about daily life and personal needs. | With slow, clear speech, replays and context, pick out high-frequency words about personal life. |
| Novice 2 | With rereading and context, understand high-frequency everyday words and phrases. | With slow, clear speech, replays and context, understand high-frequency everyday words and phrases. |
| Level 1 | With pictures and rereading, grasp simple phrases and the rough meaning of sentences. | Understand basic phrases and common words when the speaker is slow, clear and helpful. |
| Level 2 | Understand short texts written in everyday or common workplace vocabulary. | Follow the main points of short conversations in clear, slow speech. |
| Level 3 | Understand plainly written articles on topics you care about or work in. | Get the gist and key details on familiar work, study or leisure topics in clear standard speech. |
| Level 4 | Read fairly independently, adjusting speed to the text; broad vocabulary, with trouble on less common idioms. | Follow the main points of long talks in standard Chinese, including technical discussion in your field. |
| Level 5 | Follow the details of long, complex texts in or outside your field, rereading hard parts. | Understand talk on a wide range of abstract or complex topics; unfamiliar accents may need checking. |
| Level 6 | Understand virtually all written Chinese, including abstract, complex or highly colloquial literary and non-literary works. | Understand continuous speech such as speeches, broadcasts and reports, even when non-standard or technical. |
Paraphrased from the official ability descriptions for the Reading and Listening tests on tocfl.edu.tw.
What score do you need to pass each TOCFL level?
Listening and Reading are each reported as a scale score from 0 to 80. Since the first tests of 2020, a Listening and Reading certificate is awarded on the total of the two scores, as long as each section also clears its minimum. Novice levels use the total only.
| Certificate level | Band | Listening + Reading total | Listening minimum | Reading minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice 1 | Novice | 77 | none | none |
| Novice 2 | Novice | 120 | none | none |
| Level 1 | A | 83 | 37 | 38 |
| Level 2 | A | 120 | 51 | 53 |
| Level 3 | B | 94 | 42 | 44 |
| Level 4 | B | 125 | 53 | 56 |
| Level 5 | C | 102 | 46 | 47 |
| Level 6 | C | 130 | 54 | 61 |
From SC-TOP’s announcement of March 2020 on certificate criteria for the paper and computer tests (the adaptive CAT uses its own table). SC-TOP’s test pages also list a pass mark for each section on its own; if you need exact current figures for an application, check tocfl.edu.tw before you book.
What is the TOCFL test format?
The Listening and Reading tests are multiple choice and usually computer-based. From Band A up, each section has 50 questions in about 60 minutes; the Novice tests have 25 questions in about 25 minutes. Speaking and Writing are separate tests.
| Band | Listening | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | 3 parts, 25 questions, about 25 minutes | 2 parts (match a sentence to a picture, pick the option that fits the picture), 25 questions, about 25 minutes |
| Band A | 4 parts: picture questions, short Q&A and dialogues with picture options, dialogues with text options. 50 questions, about 60 minutes | 5 parts: single sentences, picture descriptions, gap filling, paragraph completion, reading comprehension. 50 questions, 60 minutes |
| Band B | 2 parts: dialogues and passages. 50 four-option questions, about 60 minutes | 2 parts: gap filling and reading comprehension. 50 four-option questions, 60 minutes |
| Band C | 2 parts: dialogues and passages. 50 four-option questions, about 60 minutes | 2 parts: gap filling and reading comprehension. 50 four-option questions, 60 minutes |
Question types from the official test descriptions. From Band B up the recordings are dialogues and longer passages at natural speed; see our TOCFL guide for preparation tips.
How long does it take to reach each TOCFL level?
SC-TOP publishes suggested study hours for learners in a Chinese-speaking environment, and says learners elsewhere may need up to twice as long. Treat them as wide ranges: your starting point, the time you spend reading and listening, and whether you already read characters all move the number.
| Level | Suggested study hours (SC-TOP) |
|---|---|
| Novice 1 | 30–120 |
| Level 1 | 120–240 |
| Level 2 | 240–360 |
| Level 3 | 360–480 |
| Level 4 | 480–960 |
| Level 5 | 960–1,920 |
| Level 6 | 1,920+ |
Hours as published by SC-TOP and widely cited; the Novice figure is for Novice 1. They are guidance, not a measured average.
What changed in the 2023 TOCFL word list?
SC-TOP revised the list in 2022, checking it against the word lists of Taiwan’s National Academy for Educational Research (the TBCL). The July 2023 file used on this site carries the revised list. Beginners get more words and the higher levels fewer: Novice grew from about 300 to about 400 entries, Band A from about 1,000 to about 1,200, and the whole list went from 7,944 to 7,517 entries.
| Level | Previous list (TOCFL 1.0) | Current list (2022 revision, 2023 file) | Change | Cumulative, old → new |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice 1 | 146 | 160 | +14 | 146 → 160 |
| Novice 2 | 176 | 234 | +58 | 322 → 394 |
| Level 1 | 180 | 347 | +167 | 502 → 741 |
| Level 2 | 497 | 485 | -12 | 999 → 1,226 |
| Level 3 | 1,482 | 1,173 | -309 | 2,481 → 2,399 |
| Level 4 | 2,478 | 2,342 | -136 | 4,959 → 4,741 |
| Level 5 | 2,985 | 2,776 | -209 | 7,944 → 7,517 |
Old and new per-level counts are from the comparison sheet in SC-TOP’s own workbook. The current download (September 2024) has the same 7,517 entries as the July 2023 file. SC-TOP’s 2022 note also confirms there is no Level 6 list.
Which TOCFL level should you register for?
Register for the band whose upper level matches what you can already do, because each band paper certifies two levels and gives you a second chance at the lower one. Compare what you know with the band’s word list, take a timed practice test, and use the score tables above.
- Under about 400 words: Novice. Most of the Novice 1 and 2 lists should feel familiar before you book.
- About 750 to 1,200 words: Band A. Knowing most of the Band A list aims you at Level 2; Level 1 is the fallback.
- Studying in Taiwan on a Chinese-taught program: Band B. Level 3, the lower Band B level, is the usual scholarship threshold, and the Band B list adds 3,515 entries.
- Reading native material comfortably: Band C, with the Level 5 list as a gap check.
- Unsure: take the free mock tests on tocfl.edu.tw, or book the adaptive CAT.
The word ranges are our reading of the cumulative list counts, not SC-TOP rules.
How do TOCFL levels compare to HSK and CEFR?
Approximately. SC-TOP pairs TOCFL Levels 1 to 4 with old HSK 3 to 6, and by word count TOCFL Level 3 sits near HSK 4 on the 2026 HSK 3.0 syllabus. Both exams claim CEFR alignment, and both claims are debated.
| 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 |
More in TOCFL vs HSK: level conversion and which test to take.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 8 TOCFL levels?
Novice 1 and Novice 2 (準備級), Level 1 (入門級, A1), Level 2 (基礎級, A2), Level 3 (進階級, B1), Level 4 (高階級, B2), Level 5 (流利級, C1) and Level 6 (精通級, C2). The CEFR labels are SC-TOP’s own mapping.
What is the difference between a TOCFL band and a level?
A band is the test paper you register for; a level is the certificate you earn. Each band covers two levels, and your combined Listening and Reading score decides which one you reach. In Band B, for example, 94 points (with the section minimums) earns Level 3 and 125 earns Level 4.
Which TOCFL level do I need for a Taiwan scholarship?
Taiwan’s MOE scholarship asks applicants to Chinese-taught degree programs for TOCFL Level 3 or above, which is the lower level of Band B. Check the current year’s rules for your program, since requirements can change.
Is TOCFL Level 6 harder to prepare for than Level 5?
Yes, and there is no list to lean on. SC-TOP’s word list stops at Level 5 (流利級) and states that it does not include Level 6 vocabulary, so Level 6 candidates prepare through wide native reading and listening.
What changed in the 2023 TOCFL word list?
The list was revised in 2022 against the TBCL word lists of Taiwan’s National Academy for Educational Research; the July 2023 file and the September 2024 re-issue carry that revised list. The Novice tier grew from about 300 to about 400 words and Band A from about 1,000 to about 1,200, while the higher levels shrank, for 7,517 entries instead of 7,944.
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.
