Most people need Level 2 (Band A) or Level 3 (Band B). Pick who you are below.
Who you are, what you want, and the level you need
1You are…
2Applying to a school in Taiwan: The level you need
| You want to… | Band | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Study a Chinese-taught degree | A | 2 |
| Get the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship | A | 2 |
| Get the MOE Taiwan Scholarship | B | 3 |
2On a Huayu scholarship: The level you need
| You want to… | Band | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Meet the TOCFL rule (9 months or more) | B | 3 |
More: The HES TOCFL rule
2Graduating and staying to work: The level you need
| You want to… | Band | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Earn work-permit points | B–C | 3–5 |
Departments and scholarships can ask for more than the minimum. Check the brochure of the one you are applying to.
The score for each level
Listening and reading are scored out of 700, separately.
| Level | Band | CEFR | Listening | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 入門級 | A | A1 | 355 | 355 |
| Level 2 基礎級 | A | A2 | 435 | 450 |
| Level 3 進階級 | B | B1 | 480 | 490 |
| Level 4 高階級 | B | B2 | 555 | 570 |
| Level 5 流利級 | C | C1 | 600 | 610 |
| Level 6 精通級 | C | C2 | 655 | 690 |
Sources: SC-TOP level mapping, passing standards.
In Taiwan, listening and reading is one adaptive test for all levels, so you do not pick a band. Overseas test sites and the speaking and writing tests do ask you to pick one.
FAQ
Is Level 2 enough to study a degree in Chinese?
It meets the minimum, but some departments ask for Level 3 or higher.
Do I have to pass both listening and reading?
They are scored separately. Rules like the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship ask for the level in both.
How old can my TOCFL score be?
The Huayu Enrichment Scholarship asks for a score from the past 2 years. Other offices set their own limits.