Explanation about HSK

What is HSK

The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK; Chinese: 汉语水平考试; pinyin: Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì), translated as the Chinese Proficiency Test, is the standardized test of Standard Chinese (a type of Mandarin Chinese) language proficiency of Mainland China for non-native speakers such as foreign students and overseas Chinese. The test is administered by Hanban, an agency of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.The HSK test measures your ability to use and understand the Chinese language as it’s read, written, heard and spoken with Chinese people. It`s the most accepted Chinese language test in the world.


(HSK Logo)

In order for the HSK test to measure how well you read, listen, speak and write in Chinese, and how well you use these skills together, you’ll be asked to integrate these skills for the test. For example, you may read a passage or listen to a dialogue, and to write about what you learned. The HSK test measures your ability to integrate the four Chinese skills you need in an Chinese related setting. HSK test is held regularly in China and other countries each year. Certificates of HSK will be issued to those who have secured the required scores.

History & Background of HSK

Development of the HSK test began in 1984 at Beijing Language and Culture University, and was officially made a national standardized test in 1992. By 2005, over 120 countries had participated as regular host sites and the tests had been taken around 100 million times (domestic ethnic minority candidates included). In 2011, Beijing International Chinese College became the first HSK testing center to conduct the HSK test online.


(HSK Sample Certificate)

The HSK test is analogous to the English TOEFL, and an HSK certificate is valid without any limitation in China. The test aims to be a certificate of language proficiency for higher educational and professional purposes. It is not uncommon to refer to a standard or level of proficiency by the HSK level number, or score. For example, a job description might ask for foreign applicants with "HSK5 or better."

Test Levels (Between 2010 - 2021)

Most notable are the inclusion of written segments at all levels (not just in the Advanced levels as in the pre-2010 test), a reform of the ranking system, and the use of new question structures. Complete vocabulary lists, previous tests, and simulated tests are available as preparation materials. A minor update of the vocabulary lists was made in 2012. The HSK consists of a written test and an oral test, which are taken separately. This oral test is also known as the HSKK or Chinese: 汉语水平口语考试; pinyin: Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǒuyǔ Kǎoshì.

Level Vocabulary Written Test Description
Words
(Cumulative / New)		 Characters
(Cumulative / New)		 Listening Reading Writing
1 150 150 174 174 20 Questions, 15 Min 20 Questions, 17 Min Not Tested Designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies. In HSK 1 all characters are provided along with pinyin.
2 300 150 347 173 35 Questions, 25 Min 25 Questions, 22 Min Designed for learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion to their daily lives. In HSK 2 all characters are provided along with pinyin.
3 600 300 617 270 40 Questions 30 Questions 10 Items Designed for learners who can use Chinese to serve the demands of their personal lives, studies and work, and are capable of completing most of the communicative tasks they experience during their Chinese tour.
4 1200 600 1064 447 45 Questions 40 Questions 15 Items Designed for learners who can discuss a relatively wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating with Chinese speakers at a high standard.
5 2500 1300 1685 621 45 Questions 45 Questions 10 Items Designed for learners who can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, watch Chinese films and are capable of writing and delivering a lengthy speech in Chinese.
6 5000 2500 2663 978 50 Questions 50 Questions 1 Composition Designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form.

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests each have a maximum score of 100. HSK 1 and 2 therefore have a maximum score of 200 with 120 points required to pass. HSK 3 and 4 have a maximum of 300 points with 180 points required to pass. There is no minimum number of points required for each of the sections as long as the sum is over 120 or 180 points respectively. HSK 5 and 6 also have a maximum of 300 points and originally required a score of 180 points to pass. However, since a decision made in February 2013, there has been no official passing score for either HSK 5 or 6. Hanban provides examples of the exam for the different levels together with a list of words that need to be known for each level. These examples are also available (together with the audio for the Listening Test) on the websites of the Confucius Institute at QUT and HSK Academy.

Online Test


The written version is now available in two forms, a computer and a paper based test. Both tests are still held at test centers, the differences between the two are as follows:
--> Not every test center has the facilities for conducting computer-based tests
--> Computer-based tests allow you to input characters using the keyboard
--> Results of computer-based tests are published two weeks after the exam, paper-based test results take one month

Oral Test


The HSKK test is a separate test. However, the three HSKK levels correspond with the six HSK levels of the written test.
HSK Level HSKK Level CEFR Words Questions Minutes
1 Beginner A 200 27 17
2
3 Intermediate B 900 14 21
4
5 Advanced C 3000 6 24
6

For Whom

Non-native speakers (foreigners, overseas Chinese and students of Chinese national minorities).

Why Take HSK Test

The new HSK test retains the former HSK’s orientation as a general (or universal) Chinese language abilities test for adult learners. The results of the HSK test can serve several purposes:

1. A reference for an educational institution’s decision-making concerning recruiting students, assigning students to different classes, allowing students to skip certain courses and granting students academic credits.
2. A reference for employers’ decision-making concerning the recruitment, training and promotion of test takers.
3. A method for Chinese language learners to assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.
4. A method for Chinese language training institutions to evaluate training results.

HSK Organizer and Certificate Issuer

The Chinese Ministry of Education has established China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)(CNCCPT). The Committee is the supervisor of HSK and the issuer of the Chinese proficiency certificates. CNCCPT has an office called Office of China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), which takes care of the HSK affairs together with the HSK Center of BLCU. Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level VI) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.

New Changes in China about HSK

From Jan 2023, if you take the HSK （Chinese Proficiency Test）test in China (including the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), the HSKK (Chinese Proficiency Speaking Test) has to be completed at the same time. For the following HSK levels, the corresponding HSKK test needs to be done. And the test results will be released in combination together.

Listening + Reading + Writing Speaking
HSK3 HSKK Primary Test
HSK4 HSKK Intermediate Test
HSK5 HSKK Advanced Test
HSK6

Registration for the HSK Test

Official Online Registration Website: www.chinesetest.cn

Processing in a Brief


--> Official site -> User registration -> Test registration -> Pay-> Receive registration confirmation -> Print the admission ticket

1. User registration : Register to become a user of the Chinese testing service website, and remember your user name (mailbox) and password. To register, you need to fill in your E-mail address, nationality, date of birth, native language and other information.

2. Test registration: Select the test level, form (paper-based or Internet-based test), test center and date. Before registration, you must first know about what are the organizing forms available at the selected test center.

3. Upload a photo: Upload a standard, 2-inch identification photo in a JPG format not larger than 100KB. Test takers who register and choose to take the test at the test centers in mainland China are required to submit an electronic photo. If no photo has been uploaded or the uploaded one does not meet the requirements, test takers will not be admitted to take the test.

4. Confirm the registration information: After verifying the information, select “Confirm and Submit”.

5. Pay the test: Please complete the payment before the registration deadline; otherwise the registration is invalid. After you have successfully paid the test fee, the test cannot be cancelled. For test centers with online payment, test takers can directly pay online.

6. Receive the test registration confirmation: Test takers who have competed the registration and payment, and have filled in a valid E-mail address, will receive a registration confirmation 10 days before the test. If no confirmation is received, please contact the test site.

7. Collect/Print the test admission ticket: You may either log into the Chinese testing service website and print your test admission ticket or collect it at the test center. On the test date, you must bring and present your test admission ticket and identity certificate.

*If online registration is not available at the selected test center, you can go to the test center to complete on-site registration and payment.