← tests
Exam tools
Language exam equivalence table (HSK, TOCFL, JLPT, TOPIK, CEFR)
The short answer
This table maps HSK, TOCFL, JLPT and TOPIK levels to CEFR and to each other. Each mapping is labelled official, approximate or disputed, because exam bodies do not always agree.
HSK 1 ≈ CEFR A1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 2 ≈ CEFR A1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 2 ≈ CEFR A2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 3 ≈ CEFR A2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 3 ≈ CEFR B1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 4 ≈ CEFR B1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 5 ≈ CEFR B2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 6 ≈ CEFR B2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 6 ≈ CEFR C1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 7 ≈ CEFR C1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 8 ≈ CEFR C1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 8 ≈ CEFR C2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
HSK 9 ≈ CEFR C2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.
JLPT N1 ≈ CEFR C1official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N1 142+ = C1, but a pass of 100–141 = B2. Add an N1 to CEFR B2 row.
JLPT N1 ≈ CEFR B2official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: a pass at the lower end of the JLPT N1 score range is reported as B2.
JLPT N2 ≈ CEFR B2official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N2 112+ = B2, but a pass of 90–111 = B1. Add an N2 to CEFR B1 row.
JLPT N2 ≈ CEFR B1official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: a pass at the lower end of the JLPT N2 score range is reported as B1.
JLPT N3 ≈ CEFR B1official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N3 104+ = B1, but a pass of 95–103 = A2. Add an N3 to CEFR A2 row.
JLPT N3 ≈ CEFR A2official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: a pass at the lower end of the JLPT N3 score range is reported as A2.
JLPT N4 ≈ CEFR A2official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N4 pass (90+) = A2. Covers reading and listening only.
JLPT N5 ≈ CEFR A1official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N5 pass (80+) = A1. Covers reading and listening only.
TOCFL Band A ≈ CEFR A1official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOCFL Band A ≈ CEFR A2official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOCFL Band B ≈ CEFR B1official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOCFL Band B ≈ CEFR B2official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOCFL Band C ≈ CEFR C1official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOCFL Band C ≈ CEFR C2official alignmentSC-TOP built TOCFL levels on the CEFR and aligned them in a standard-setting study; each band covers two CEFR levels (lower level = first TOCFL level of the band).
TOPIK level 1 ≈ CEFR A1approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
TOPIK level 2 ≈ CEFR A2approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
TOPIK level 3 ≈ CEFR B1approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
TOPIK level 4 ≈ CEFR B2approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
TOPIK level 5 ≈ CEFR C1approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
TOPIK level 6 ≈ CEFR C2approximateNIIED publishes no official CEFR mapping; the one-to-one match of six TOPIK levels to six CEFR levels is a common convention based on the level descriptors, not a validated alignment.
Vietnamese level 1 ≈ CEFR A1official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.
Vietnamese level 2 ≈ CEFR A2official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.
Vietnamese level 3 ≈ CEFR B1official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.
Vietnamese level 4 ≈ CEFR B2official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.
Vietnamese level 5 ≈ CEFR C1official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.
Vietnamese level 6 ≈ CEFR C2official alignment (Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT)Circular 17/2015/TT-BGDĐT states the 6-level framework (Sơ cấp, Trung cấp, Cao cấp) is compatible with CEFR A1–C2, level for level.