HSK vs TOCFL: Which Chinese Exam Should You Take?

What Is the HSK?

The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is China's official standardized test for measuring the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is developed and administered by Chinese Testing International (CTI) under the authority of China's Ministry of Education. The exam has been running since 1992 and has undergone several major revisions, with the latest being HSK 3.0, launching in July 2026.

Under the current HSK 3.0 framework, the exam spans 9 levels (up from 6 under HSK 2.0). Levels 1-6 are tested individually, while Levels 7, 8, and 9 are combined into a single advanced exam. The HSK tests reading, listening, and writing, with a separate speaking test (HSKK) available for those who need it. Under HSK 3.0, speaking becomes more integrated into the overall assessment.

The HSK is recognized in over 120 countries and is the standard requirement for admission to Chinese universities, the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), and many employers in China and internationally. If you plan to study, work, or live in mainland China, the HSK is almost certainly the exam you need.

What Is the TOCFL?

The TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) is Taiwan's official Chinese proficiency exam for non-native speakers. It is developed and administered by the Steering Committee for the Test Of Proficiency-Huayu (SC-TOP), which operates under Taiwan's Ministry of Education. The TOCFL was established in 2003 and has been the primary tool for assessing Chinese ability in the Taiwanese education and immigration systems.

The TOCFL is structured into 3 bands and 6 levels. Band A covers Levels 1 and 2 (beginner), Band B covers Levels 3 and 4 (intermediate), and Band C covers Levels 5 and 6 (advanced). Test-takers register for a specific band, and their score determines which level within that band they achieve. This is fundamentally different from the HSK, where you register for a specific level.

A critical distinction: the TOCFL exclusively uses Traditional Chinese characters. All reading passages, questions, and written responses are in Traditional characters. The spoken language tested is Standard Mandarin (the same as the HSK), but the written component requires familiarity with the Traditional character set used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The TOCFL is primarily recognized in Taiwan for university admissions, scholarship applications (including the Taiwan Scholarship), and work/residency permit requirements. It also carries weight with institutions that have academic or business ties to Taiwan, particularly in Southeast Asia and among Taiwanese diaspora communities.

HSK vs TOCFL: Side-by-Side Comparison

The following table provides a comprehensive comparison of every major aspect of the two exams. Use this as your reference when deciding which test to take.

Level Equivalency: HSK ↔ TOCFL

While the HSK and TOCFL use different level systems, there is an approximate mapping between them based on their respective CEFR alignments and the language ability each level represents. The following table shows how the levels roughly correspond.

Important caveat: These mappings are approximate. The exams were developed independently and have different emphases. An HSK 4 certificate does not automatically mean you would pass TOCFL Band B Level 3, particularly because of the Simplified vs. Traditional character difference. However, the underlying language ability at each CEFR level is comparable.

Which Exam Should You Choose?

The right exam depends on your specific goals. Here is a decision framework based on the most common use cases.

Choose HSK If...

• You plan to study at a university in mainland China. Virtually all Chinese universities require or prefer HSK scores for admissions. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) requires HSK 4 or above.
• You want to work in mainland China. Most Chinese employers recognize the HSK. Some visa categories and work permits reference HSK levels as requirements or preferences.
• You need the widest international recognition. With acceptance in 120+ countries, the HSK is the most portable Chinese proficiency certificate globally.
• You are studying Simplified Chinese. If your coursework, textbooks, and practice materials use Simplified characters, the HSK is the natural fit.
• You want frequent testing opportunities. HSK exams are offered monthly for most levels, making it easier to schedule around your preparation timeline.

Choose TOCFL If...

• You plan to study in Taiwan. Taiwanese universities require or prefer TOCFL scores. The Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship specifically require TOCFL results.
• You are focused on Traditional Chinese. If you are learning Traditional characters (common for those with connections to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau), the TOCFL directly tests this skill.
• You want to work or live in Taiwan. Some Taiwanese visa and residency categories reference TOCFL scores.
• You are studying with Taiwanese materials or teachers. If your learning environment uses Traditional characters and Taiwanese Mandarin conventions, the TOCFL aligns with your preparation.

Consider Both If...

• You have academic or career ambitions across Greater China. Holding both certifications demonstrates versatility and a deep understanding of Chinese in both character systems.
• You are a Chinese studies researcher or translator. Professional-level Chinese work often requires literacy in both Simplified and Traditional characters.
• You want to maximize your credentials. For competitive applications (graduate programs, diplomatic positions, international organizations), having both certifications is a strong differentiator.

Key Differences in Test Format

Beyond the Simplified vs. Traditional character distinction, the HSK and TOCFL differ in how the exams are actually structured and administered.

Registration Model

For the HSK, you register for a specific level (e.g., HSK 4). You either pass or fail that level based on your score. For the TOCFL, you register for a band (A, B, or C), and your score determines which level within that band you achieve. This means a TOCFL band registration gives you a range of possible outcomes, whereas the HSK is all-or-nothing for your chosen level.

Writing Section

The HSK includes a writing section at most levels (character writing at lower levels, compositions at higher levels). The standard TOCFL exam focuses on listening and reading comprehension. TOCFL does offer a separate writing test, but it is not part of the main exam and is less commonly taken. This makes the TOCFL potentially less daunting for learners who struggle with written production but are strong in receptive skills.

Speaking Assessment

Both exams treat speaking as a separate component. The HSK has the HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi), while the TOCFL has its own speaking test. Under HSK 3.0, speaking is becoming more integrated into the overall assessment. In both cases, speaking tests are optional for most purposes but may be required by specific universities or employers.

Question Types

The HSK uses a mix of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank items, and open-ended writing tasks. The TOCFL is primarily multiple-choice for the listening and reading sections, making it somewhat more straightforward in terms of answer format. However, the reading passages in TOCFL tend to use more formal and literary Traditional Chinese, which some learners find challenging.

Can You Take Both?

Absolutely. Many serious Chinese learners take both the HSK and the TOCFL over the course of their studies. The two exams are complementary rather than competing. Taking both encourages you to develop a well-rounded Chinese ability that spans both character systems and both major testing traditions.

Practical tip: Most learners start with whichever exam aligns with their primary study materials. If you learned Simplified Chinese in school, start with the HSK. If you studied in Taiwan or with Traditional Chinese textbooks, start with the TOCFL. Then, as your ability grows, consider adding the other exam to your portfolio.

Learning both Simplified and Traditional characters is also a valuable skill in itself. The two character sets share the same underlying logic, and once you know one, learning the other is significantly easier than starting from scratch. Many intermediate-to-advanced learners can read both systems even if they only write in one.

From a scheduling perspective, the HSK's monthly availability makes it easier to fit in alongside TOCFL preparation. You can take the HSK first (with more frequent exam dates) and then schedule a TOCFL when one becomes available in your area.

How HSK Lord Helps You Prepare

Whether you are preparing for the HSK, the TOCFL, or both, vocabulary acquisition is the foundation of exam success. HSK Lord uses spaced repetition — a scientifically proven method that schedules reviews at optimal intervals — to help you learn and retain Chinese vocabulary efficiently.

HSK Lord's vocabulary system covers all HSK levels (both 2.0 and 3.0), with each word including Simplified characters, pinyin, English translations, and example sentences. While HSK Lord is primarily designed for HSK preparation, the core vocabulary overlaps substantially with what you need for the TOCFL. The listening comprehension skills, grammar patterns, and reading strategies you develop through HSK preparation directly transfer to TOCFL performance.

For learners targeting both exams, we recommend building your vocabulary foundation with HSK Lord's spaced repetition system and then supplementing with Traditional character practice using dedicated Traditional Chinese reading materials.