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Trials of humility
Language levels & proficiency tests explained
What CEFR, ACTFL, HSK, TOCFL, JLPT and TOPIK levels actually mean, how they map onto each other, and what each exam costs and tests. One big equivalence table, plus the honest version of what each level feels like.
The short answer
Kungfucius says: HSK 6 certifies that you once knew HSK 6.
In this section
Exam toolsLanguage exam equivalence table (HSK, TOCFL, JLPT, TOPIK, CEFR)Language exam equivalence table: how HSK, TOCFL, JLPT and TOPIK levels compare with each other and with CEFR, marked official, approximate or disputed.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK to CEFR converterConvert HSK levels to CEFR: pick an old six-level or new nine-level HSK level and see the CEFR equivalent, with sources and how reliable each match is.Exam toolsHSK vs TOCFL: which Chinese test should you take?HSK or TOCFL? Compare China's and Taiwan's Mandarin tests on levels, characters, format, cost, recognition and scholarships, and pick the right one.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK: the Chinese proficiency test explainedHSK explained: the Chinese proficiency test's levels, the new nine-level HSK 3.0, vocabulary per level, CEFR equivalents, format, fees and registration.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK 1: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelHSK 1 explained: vocabulary and character targets, grammar, test format, pass mark, study hours and the CEFR equivalent, for old and new HSK.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK 3: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelHSK 3 explained: vocabulary and character targets, grammar, test format, pass mark, study hours and the CEFR equivalent, for old and new HSK.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK 4: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelHSK 4 explained: vocabulary and character targets, grammar, test format, pass mark, study hours and the CEFR equivalent, for old and new HSK.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT to CEFR converterConvert JLPT levels to CEFR: pick N5 to N1 and see the CEFR equivalent, based on the Japan Foundation's reference data, with reliability notes.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT: the Japanese proficiency test explainedJLPT explained: the Japanese Language Proficiency Test's five levels from N5 to N1, format, pass marks, test dates, registration and CEFR equivalents.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT N1: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelJLPT N1 explained: kanji and vocabulary targets, grammar points, test sections, pass marks, study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT N2: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelJLPT N2 explained: kanji and vocabulary targets, grammar points, test sections, pass marks, study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT N3: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelJLPT N3 explained: kanji and vocabulary targets, grammar points, test sections, pass marks, study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.JLPT 日本語能力試験JLPT N5: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelJLPT N5 explained: kanji and vocabulary targets, grammar points, test sections, pass marks, study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.CEFRCEFR levels explained (A1–C2)CEFR levels A1 to C2 explained: what you can do at each level, how many hours each takes, and how Asian exams like HSK, JLPT and TOPIK compare.CEFRWhat does B1 mean? The CEFR B1 level explainedWhat does CEFR B1 mean? What you can do at B1 (Threshold), how many study hours it takes, and roughly which HSK, JLPT and TOPIK levels match it.CEFRWhat does B2 mean? The CEFR B2 level explainedWhat does CEFR B2 mean? What you can do at B2 (Vantage), how many study hours it takes, and roughly which HSK, JLPT and TOPIK levels match it.Language levelsFSI language difficulty categories and hoursFSI language difficulty categories explained: how many class hours English speakers need for Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay.TOCFL 華語文能力測驗TOCFL: Taiwan's Chinese proficiency test explainedTOCFL explained: Taiwan's Mandarin proficiency test, Bands A, B and C, levels, format, Traditional characters, scholarships and how it compares to HSK.TOPIK 한국어능력시험TOPIK: the Korean proficiency test explainedTOPIK explained: the Test of Proficiency in Korean, TOPIK I and II, levels 1 to 6, format, scores, test dates and how TOPIK levels compare with CEFR.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK 2: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelHSK 2 explained: vocabulary and character targets, grammar, test format, pass mark, study hours and the CEFR equivalent, for old and new HSK.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK 5: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR levelHSK 5 explained: vocabulary and character targets, grammar, test format, pass mark, study hours and the CEFR equivalent, for old and new HSK.HSK 漢語水平考試HSK study plan: how to prepare, level by levelHSK study plan, level by level: hours, vocabulary targets, the best materials, mock tests and exam-day tips for acing HSK 1 to HSK 6 and beyond.HSK 漢語水平考試HSKK: the Chinese speaking test explainedHSKK explained: the Chinese speaking test's three levels, the format, how it differs from the HSK, scoring, and when universities or employers require it.Language levelsLanguage levels explained: CEFR, ACTFL, ILR, HSK, JLPT, TOPIKLanguage levels explained in one place: CEFR A1 to C2, ACTFL, ILR, FSI, plus how HSK, JLPT and TOPIK levels line up. What each level means in real life.Language levelsACTFL proficiency levels explainedACTFL proficiency levels explained: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior and Distinguished, the sublevels, and how ACTFL compares with CEFR.Language levelsILR scale explained (0–5)The ILR scale explained: levels 0 to 5 with plus levels, what each means, how US government agencies use it, and how ILR compares with CEFR and ACTFL.
Kungfucius says
“HSK 6 certifies that you once knew HSK 6.”HSK六級證明的是：你曾經有HSK六級。