HSK vs CEFR vs ACTFL: Which Mandarin Proficiency Scale Matters in 2025?
June 6, 2025
Spoiler: recruiters in Shanghai care about HSK 5–6, European universities read CEFR B2, and US classrooms talk ACTFL Intermediate High. Here’s how they map—and how Leyo.ai helps you climb whichever ladder you need.
| Skill | HSK | CEFR | ACTFL | Real-life Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survival chat | 2 | A2 | Novice High | Buy train tickets |
| Workplace email | 4 | B1/B2 | Intermediate Mid | Write reports |
| Professional meetings | 5 – 6 | B2/C1 | Advanced Low | Present projects |
Picking Your Target
- Study in China? Aim HSK 4 for undergrad, HSK 5-6 for grad school.
- Work at a multi-national? CEFR B2 is the HR screening line.
- Teach Chinese in the US? ACTFL Advanced Low certification required.
Leyo.ai’s “Scale-Aware” Roadmaps
Select your goal on sign-up, and the curriculum auto-aligns: vocabulary lists, mock tests, and even the AI tutor’s correction granularity shift as you level up.
Launch your personalised roadmap in 30 seconds → Leyo.ai
Certificates fade; fluency sticks. Let’s get both.