Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)
1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)?
The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is a series test to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers. It assesses the examinees' ability to use the Chinese language in communicative activities and understanding in the environment of studying in educational institutions, enterprises and other organizations. The HSK is the abbreviation of Chinese Pinyin: Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi.
The new HSK is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test, taking non-native speakers as its object, and directed at examining students� capability in applying Chinese language in their studies, personal life and work. The new type of examination consists of two independent parts; a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprised of HSK-Level 1, HSK-Level 2, HSK- Level 3, HSK- Level 4, HSK- Level 5 and HSK- Level 6, while the oral test is comprised of HSK (Elementary), HSK (Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced). During the oral test, sound-recording devices are used.
HSK1
This level is designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies.It is appropriate for students with 50-100 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, who have mastered 150 Chinese characters.
HSK2
This level is designed for elementary learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion in their daily lives. It is appropriate for students with 100-150 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, who have mastered 300 Chinese characters.
HSK3
This level is designed for elementary-intermediate 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. It is appropriate for students with 150-200 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 600 Chinese characters.
HSK4
This level is designed for intermediate learners who can discuss a relatively wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating with Chinese speakers at a high standard. It is appropriate for students with 200-400 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 1200Chinese characters.
HSK5
This level is 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. It is appropriate for students with 350-550 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 2500 Chinese characters.
HSK6
This level is designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form. It is appropriate for students with 500-600 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 5000 or more Chinese characters.
2. Test Levels
The different levels of the new HSK are similar to some of the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF); details are as follows:
New HSK |
Vocabulary |
CLPS |
CEF |
HSK (Level VI) |
Over 5,000 |
Level V |
C2 |
HSK (Level V) |
2500 |
C1 |
|
HSK (Level IV) |
1200 |
Level IV |
B2 |
HSK (Level III) |
600 |
Level III |
B1 |
HSK (Level II) |
300 |
Level II |
A2 |
HSK (Level I) |
150 |
Level I |
A1 |
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level II) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level III) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese when travelling in China.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level IV) can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level V) can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and plays, and give a full-length speech in Chinese.
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.
3. Test Principles
The new HSK follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”, bases the design of the test on the current trends in international Chinese language training, and is closely related to textbooks. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.
The new HSK emphasizes the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation and stresses the learners’ actual Chinese language abilities.
The new HSK sets clear test objectives to allow the test takers to be able to improve their Chinese language abilities in a systematic and efficient way.
4. Testing Purposes
The new HSK retains the former HSK’s orientation as a general (or universal) Chinese language abilities test for adult learners. The results of the 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 giving 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.
5. Results Certificate
Test takers will receive the results for the new HSK issued by Hanban within three weeks after the test.
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