TOCFL&HSK – Mandarin(Chinese) Language Proficiency Test

There are two main Mandarin-language proficiency tests. One is TOCFL, Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language, and it is the standardized test of Taiwanese Mandarin language proficiency of Taiwan for non-native speakers. The other is HSK, The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, translated as the Chinese Proficiency Test, is the standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency of Mainland China for non-native speakers.

The table shown below is indicating the specific levels of TOCFL and HSK.

TOCFL ( only Reading and Listening Section)

Level
	In Chinese-speaking areas	in non Chinese-speaking areas	Suitable vocabulary base	Price
Band A- Level1	120-240 hours	240-480 hours	500	1,600 TWD(54 USD)
Band A- Level2	240-360 hours	480-720 hours	1000	1,600 TWD(54 USD)
Band B- Level 3	360-480 hours	720-960 hours	2500	1,600 TWD(54 USD)
Band B- Level 4	480-960 hours	960-1920 hours	5000	1,600 TWD(54 USD)
Band C- Level 5	960-1920 hours	1920-3840 hours	8000	1,600 TWD(54 USD)
Band C- Level 6	More than 1920 hours	More than 3840 hours	8000	1,600 TWD(54 USD)

The minumum scores for passing the respective level exams

The full points of Listening and Reading sections are 80 points respectively, so the full score is 160 points.

Examinees must not only pass threshold score, but also pass the threadshold for Listening and Reading indepedently. For example, if examinees want to pass A2, they need to get 120 points in total, but they must get at least 51 points in Listening section and at least 53 in Reading sections. If one gets 70 points in Listening but only get 50 points in Reading, he/she still fails to get A2 level.

Level	Levels written on certificates	L+R	Listening Score	Reading Score
Prepetatory	Level 1	77	N/A	N/A
	Level 2	120	N/A	N/A
Band A	Band A1	83/160	37/80	38/80
	Band A2	120/160	51/80	53/80
Band B	Band B1	94/160	42/80	44/80
	Band B2	125/160	53/80	56/80
Band C	Band C1	102/160	46/80	47/80
	Band C2	130/160	54/80	61/80

HSK ( Includes Reading, Listening, Writing section tests without Speaking section)

HSK Level	Characters Known	Words Known	Test Duration	Test Fee
HSK 1	178	150	35 mins	20 USD
HSK 2	349	300	50 mins	30 USD
HSK 2-3	485	450
HSK 3	623	600	1 hr 25 mins	40 USD
HSK 4	1,071	1,200	1 hr 40 mins	50 USD
HSK 5	1,709	2,500	2 hr	60 USD
HSK 6	2,633	5,000	2 hours 15 minutes	70 USD

The minumum scores for passing the respective level exams

Unlike TOCFL, if the examinee can pass the total score, there is no specific threshold score in Reading, Listening, or Writing section.

HSK (Level I) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression sections. There are a total of 200 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 120 or above.

HSK (Level II) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression sections. There are a total of 200 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 120 or above.

HSK (Level III) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression and writing sections. There are a total of 300 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 180 or above.

HSK (Level IV) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression and writing sections. There are a total of 300 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 180 or above.

HSK (Level V) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression and writing sections. There are a total of 300 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 180 or above.

HSK (Level VI) consists of listening comprehension and reading compression and writing sections. There are atotal of 300 points possible, with each section accounting for 100 points. A passing score is a score of 180 or above.

HSK Level	Score for Passing	Reading	Listening	Writing
HSK 1	120/200	Full score is 100	Full score is 100	NA
HSK 2	120/200			NA
HSK 3	180/300			Full score is 100
HSK 4	180/300
HSK 5	180/300
HSK 6	180/300

TOCFL v.s. HSK

	Reading	Listening	Writing	Speaking	Simplified Chinese	Tradtional Chinese
TOCFL	✔	✔	✘	✘	✔	✔
HSK	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✘

The main difference is that TOCFL only has Reading and Listening section, while HSK has additionally Writing section. The same point is that both do not have Speaking section.

Lastly, the examiner can choose the whole test which is written in Traditonal Chinese or Simplied Chinese when taking TOCFL, but HSK only provides the test written in Simplified Chinese.

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