What is TOCFL? A complete guide

What is TOCFL and how is it different from HSK?

TOCFL stands for Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language, 華語文能力測驗 in Chinese. The official information is on tocfl.edu.tw. HSK, by contrast, is mainland China's exam, run by CTI (汉考国际) and written in simplified characters. For HSK, see What is HSK.

The most visible difference is the script. TOCFL papers exist in traditional or simplified characters, but if you are heading to Taiwan you should get used to traditional characters, which are what you will read there every day. Examples: 學習 / 学习 xuéxí – to study, 說話 / 说话 shuōhuà – to speak, 這裡 / 这里 zhèlǐ – here.

The second difference is how you pass. HSK 2.0 adds up the sections and compares the total with one pass mark, while TOCFL scores Listening and Reading separately, each with its own cut score for every level. In Vietnam, HSK 3–6 candidates also sit the HSKK speaking test, whereas the paper TOCFL described here covers Listening and Reading.

• TOCFL: Taiwan, traditional characters (simplified papers exist), Novice/A/B/C bands, 6 levels, 0–80 per skill.
• HSK: mainland China, simplified characters, HSK 1–6 (plus HSK 7–9), pass based on the total score.
• HSK moves to the HSK 3.0 standard on 13 December 2026 – see HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0.

TOCFL bands and levels

You do not sit one level at a time as with HSK. You choose a band; each band is one paper, and your score decides whether you reach the lower or the higher level of that band, or neither.

Reference vocabulary sizes on Hanzi Pass: about 1,000 words for Band A, 5,000 for Band B and 8,000 for Band C. They help you place yourself; they are not entry requirements.

• Novice band: levels 準備1 and 準備2, 25 items, about 25 minutes.
• Band A: level 1 入門級 (A1, Novice/Entry) and level 2 基礎級 (A2, Basic).
• Band B: level 3 進階級 (B1, Intermediate) and level 4 高階級 (B2, High-intermediate).
• Band C: level 5 流利級 (C1, Fluent) and level 6 精通級 (C2, Proficient).

The 0–80 scale and cut scores per skill

Since 2013 each TOCFL skill has been reported on a 0–80 scale built with the Rasch model, so the score is not simply the number of correct answers times a factor. The official cut scores for the paper test are (Listening / Reading):

• Novice – 準備1: 38 / 39; 準備2: 59 / 61.
• Band A – level 1 入門級: 41 / 42; level 2 基礎級: 57 / 60.
• Band B – level 3 進階級: 46 / 48; level 4 高階級: 61 / 64.
• Band C – level 5 流利級: 50 / 52; level 6 精通級: 61 / 69.

How the level is decided: skill by skill

Say you sit Band A and score 58 in Listening and 55 in Reading. Listening is above 57, so it reaches level 2; Reading is above 42 but below 60, so it reaches level 1. Hanzi Pass reports a level for each skill and uses the lower one as the overall level – level 1 in this example.

A 2020 SC-TOP notice required both a combined total and per-skill minimums for a certificate, while the current site lists per-skill cut scores only. The current certificate rule is not fully confirmed, so check with TECO or your test centre when you register.

Paper test in Vietnam, CAT in Taiwan

The fixed-form (paper) test for Bands A, B and C has 50 Listening items in about 60 minutes and 50 Reading items in 60 minutes. Band A has 4 listening parts and 5 reading parts (45 multiple-choice items and 5 matching items); Bands B and C have 2 parts per skill. Band A is covered in detail on TOCFL Band A.

In Taiwan, the 2026 sessions are computer adaptive (CAT) only: about 35 items per skill, a 0–700 scale, and cut scores from 355/355 (入門級) up to 655/690 (精通級). Overseas centres still run the fixed paper form, which is what Hanzi Pass simulates.

Many sources say the listening is played only once, but the official pages do not state it. Practise with a single play so the real test holds no surprises.

Who needs TOCFL?

TOCFL suits anyone whose plans involve Taiwan: students applying to universities or scholarships, workers going to Taiwan for a job, and staff at Taiwanese companies. The level you need is set by each university, scholarship programme or employer, so ask them directly.

The number of TOCFL tests has grown fast: 103,549 in 2023, 154,676 in 2024 and 213,882 in 2025 (CNA, October 2026). According to the Taipei Times (February 2024), Vietnamese candidates accounted for about 49% of all tests up to that point.

Where to take TOCFL in Vietnam

The main contact is the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). Vietnam's Ministry of Education (MOET) has also approved some universities to co-organise TOCFL. TOCFL dates and fees for 2026–2027 in Vietnam are not on Hanzi Pass yet; follow the announcements of TECO or the university.

• TECO Hanoi – Education Division: TOCFL registration for northern Vietnam.
• TECO Ho Chi Minh City – Education Division: southern Vietnam, with sites in HCMC, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Can Tho and Dong Thap.
• Thanh Dong University (Hai Duong): Decision 951/QĐ-BGDĐT (April 2023), valid for 5 years.
• Thai Nguyen University Testing Centre: Decision 617/QĐ-BGDĐT (4 March 2025), valid until 31 December 2028.

Which band should you take?

If you have studied for a few months and know fewer than 1,000 words, Band A is the sensible choice. Once you can read longer texts, follow natural conversations and your vocabulary approaches 5,000 words, aim for Band B. Band C is for people who use Chinese confidently for study or work.

The quickest way to find out is the free placement test, followed by a full mock test to see an estimated score for each skill.

How to prepare for TOCFL

Start with the TOCFL word lists in the vocabulary section. On Hanzi Pass, TOCFL words are shown in traditional characters with zhuyin (注音) so you get used to the forms, and the dictionary helps you check meanings and readings.

Then practise by question type in practice and take a full TOCFL Band A mock test or Band B mock test every one or two weeks, keeping to 60 minutes per skill to get used to the time pressure.

Keep a steady routine: a little vocabulary and listening every day beats a long session once a week.

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