Introduction to HSK

In order to promote Chinese language worldwide and better serve Chinese learners, Office of Chinese Language Council International has introduced a new Chinese Proficiency Test (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi: HSK) based on the investigation and research of practical Chinese language teaching in overseas countries with the recent research achievements of international language test.

HSK Levels

HSK is a standardized international Chinese language proficiency test for non-native Chinese speakers on purpose of academic pursuit, daily and working environment Chinese application. The new HSK consists of two independent parts: written test and oral test. The written test comprises of six levels from HSK-Level 1 to HSK-Level6; while the oral test can be divided into three levels of HSK (Basic), HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced), the candidates’ on-site performance will be recorded.

The comparison among the written test of new HSK, Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and The Common European Framework Reference for Language (CEF) is as follows:

a.     HSK-Level 1

Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 1 can understand and use simple words and sentences to fulfill specific communication needs and have a foundation for the further study of Chinese.

b.    HSK-Level 2

    Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 2 can communicate simply and directly on daily topics they are familiar with. Level 2 have reached the advanced stage of beginner level.

c.     HSK-Level 3

Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 3 can complete basic communication tasks in daily life, study and work. If traveling inChina, Level 3 can handle most communication tasks they encounter.

d.    HSK-Level 4

Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 4 can discuss a wide range of topics in Chinese and are able to communicate with native speakers.

e.     HSK-Level 5

Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 5 can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, appreciate Chinese films and televisions, and are able to write and deliver a full speech.

f.     HSK-Level 6

    Examination candidates who reach HSK-Level 6 can easily understand what they read and listen and express themselves fluently in written and oral Chinese.

Test Principles

New HSK follows the principle of “combination of testing and teaching”. The test is designed in close connection with current situations of international Chinese language teaching and teaching materials in order to promote Chinese language teaching and learning.

New HSK focuses on the objectivity and accuracy of the examination evaluation and emphasizes on the examination candidates’ Chinese language applicability.

New HSK facilitates students’ improvement of Chinese languages application with definite examination objectives.

HSK Purposes

Test scores are used by different organizations and groups of people. The scores offer, but are not limited to the following:

A reference for educational institutions to recruit students, classify students, exempt student from some courses and grant credit;

A reference for employers to employ, train and promote employees;

A reference for Chinese learners to assess their Chinese proficiency and identify areas for improvement;

A reference for Chinese teaching institutions or training organizations to evaluate teaching standards and the effectiveness of curriculum.

HSK Score Reports

All examination candidates will receive their examination score reports issued by the Office of Chinese Language Council International three weeks after taking the examination.

     Relations between New and Old HSK Scores

According to the Notice No.2 [2010] about International Students Register to Study in China with the HSK Score Report issued by the Ministry of Education in China, students majoring in Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine (except Chinese medicine), Economics, Law, Management, Pedagogy who receive scholarship provided by the Chinese government score a minimum of 180 on HSK-Level 4.

HSK is a new Chinese proficiency test based on the development from structuralism to communicative linguistics and achievements of communicative language testing. It takes “the combination of testing an teaching” as the test design concept, which results in a new system of its own. However, the relationship between new and old HSK scores is concluded based on a statistical analysis and study on them for the sake of the Chinese proficiency test and the continuity of the education policy of study inChina.