CEFR, HSK, JLPT and TOPIK: what the labels actually mean

A level framework is not an examination

The Council of Europe’s CEFR describes language ability through levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. It supports course planning and assessment, but “CEFR” is not the name of a single exam you book. A course labelled B1 and an external B1 examination are related learning steps, not interchangeable documents.

Exam systems also assess different combinations of skills. A number in one system cannot safely be substituted for a letter and number in another. Read the certificate name, version and skills together.

The names you will encounter

• German: Goethe-Zertifikat examinations cover A1–C2. Universities may specify other examinations or particular results; check the programme’s accepted list.
• French: DELF covers A1–B2; DALF covers C1–C2. TCF is a separate test with its own versions and purpose.
• Italian: CILS covers the six CEFR levels. Choose the appropriate level and candidate module rather than assuming every B1 paper serves the same purpose.
• Spanish: DELE and SIELE are different qualifications. Confirm which is accepted and which skills must be included.
• Japanese: JLPT runs from N5 to N1, with N5 the least advanced. It assesses language knowledge, reading and listening, without directly testing speaking or writing.
• Korean: TOPIK I covers levels 1–2; TOPIK II covers levels 3–6. TOPIK I tests listening and reading; TOPIK II adds writing. TOPIK Speaking is separate.
• Chinese: HSK uses its own level system. Match your course materials and practice papers to the version of the examination you will actually sit.

Two recent changes worth checking

JLPT results from December 2025 include a CEFR reference for successful candidates, based on their level and total score. That reference concerns the knowledge and receptive skills tested. It does not certify speaking, writing or interaction; do not describe it as a complete four-skill equivalence.

Chinese Testing International has announced 13 December 2026 as the worldwide launch date for HSK 3.0. Before buying materials or registering, check the current official syllabus, the specific sitting and your test centre’s arrangements. A familiar level number alone does not establish that an older preparation book matches the new exam.

Validity and acceptance are separate questions

A qualification can remain valid while a receiving institution sets its own recency or acceptance rules. DELF diplomas are valid for life, while TCF results are valid for two years. DELE has indefinite validity; SIELE certificates and reports are valid for five years. These differences matter when your application is still some distance away.

Before booking, confirm the accepted certificate, test version, result required in each skill, document deadline and current identification rules. Take an official sample paper to understand the tasks, then ask your instructor which skills need work. Exam familiarity helps you prepare, but a practice score is not an awarded qualification.