What Band A covers

Band A is the paper you sit once you are past absolute-beginner material but not yet handling extended conversation. SC-TOP’s level-correspondence table sets out both levels:

  • Level 1 — 入門級, CEFR A1, vocabulary expectation 500 words.
  • Level 2 — 基礎級, CEFR A2, vocabulary expectation 1,000 words.

Below Band A sits the Novice band (Novice 1 and 2), which is graded more gently and is pitched below CEFR A1. Above it is Band B, which jumps to 2,500 words at Level 3.

Level 2 has its own page, TOCFL Level 2, covering what it certifies, SC-TOP’s suggested study hours and who asks for it.

What score do you need to pass TOCFL Band A?

On the band-based papers, listening and reading are separate tests, each scored out of 80 with its own pass mark:

  • Level 1 — Listening 41 / Reading 42 (out of 80 each)
  • Level 2 — Listening 57 / Reading 60

If you sit the computer-adaptive version instead, the same two levels are set on the 700-point scale at Level 1 — Listening 355 / Reading 355, and Level 2 — Listening 435 / Reading 450.

One detail that confuses people comparing numbers across bands: these thresholds are not part of one rising ladder. Novice 2 requires 59 on its own paper while Level 1 requires only 41 on this one, because each band is a separate exam with its own difficulty. A 41 on Band A is a harder thing to do than a 59 on the Novice paper.

How many words do you need for Band A?

SC-TOP puts it at 500 words for Level 1 and 1,000 for Level 2 — so clearing the whole band means roughly a thousand words of working vocabulary, in Traditional characters, with Taiwan-standard pronunciation.

Not sure where a specific word sits? Check any word’s official TOCFL level in our free checker.

That is a realistic target rather than an intimidating one. It is the difference between recognising isolated words and reading a full sentence without stopping, which is exactly what the Band A reading section asks for.

For context on what a full Band A vocabulary looks like in practice: CiaoSpeak’s own curriculum teaches 900 words across everything up to and including Band A, chosen for Taiwan daily life rather than translated from a mainland textbook — night-market ordering, MRT travel, convenience stores, festivals. It is not the official list, which SC-TOP publishes itself, but it is built against the same 1,000-word expectation.

You can browse words from that curriculum on our Taiwan Chinese word list, where each one has Taiwan-accent audio, Zhuyin and real example sentences.

The official words for this band are listed in full on our Level 1 and Level 2 vocabulary pages, with pinyin, Zhuyin and English meanings.

How to prepare for Band A

Start with SC-TOP’s own free sample papers, under 準備考試 → 模擬試題 at tocfl.edu.tw — they are free, and they come from the people who write the real exam.

If you want a five-minute orientation before that, our free TOCFL mock test is 20 questions pitched at Novice and Band A material, with no email required. For a fuller study plan, see How to Prepare for TOCFL.

CiaoSpeak is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by SC-TOP (國家華語測驗推動工作委員會), the Ministry of Education, or any body that administers TOCFL. Exam facts on this page are sourced from SC-TOP’s own published materials at tocfl.edu.tw; always confirm current details there before you register.