What is HSK (Han yu Shui ping Kao shi)

1.What’s HSK

China's Han yu Shui ping Kao shi, knownas HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test is a standardized test at thestate level designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-nativespeakers (foreigners, overseas Chinese and students of Chinese national minorities).

Degree programs taught in Chinese require students to have reached a certain level of Chinese language proficiency before they are admitted. This is to ensure that students are able to understandclasses, complete assignments and sit exams. Most universities ask that applicants pass the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) to a certain level as ameans of proving sufficient language proficiency. More information about the HSK is outlined below.

HSK consists of the basic Chinese proficiency test (HSK Basic), the elementary and intermediate Chinese proficiency test (HSK Elementary-Intermediate) and the advanced Chinese proficiency test (HSK Advanced). HSK is held regularly in China and other countries each year. Certificates of HSK will be issued to those who have secured the required scores.

The new HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result of coordinated efforts by the experts from different disciplines including Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational measurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration the recent trends in Chinese language training by conductingsurveys and making use of the latest findings in international language testing.

2.About Applicants of HSK

HSK (Basic) applies to learners with basicChinese proficiencies, namely, those who have taken 100 to 800 hours of regular modern Chinese learning (including those with the equivalent learning experiences).HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) is for those who are at the elementary and intermediate level in Chinese proficiency, i.e. those who have taken 400-2000 regular hours of modern Chinese courses (including those whose proficiency inChinese is similar to that standard).

The HSK (Advanced) is designed to measure the Chinese proficiency of those who are proficient in Chinese, i.e. who have taken 3000 regular hours or more modern Chinese learning (including those whose proficiency in Chinese is similar to that standard).

3.HSK organizer and certificate issuer

CNCCPT is the organizer of HSK. The CNCCPT Office and the HSK Center of BLCU are both in charge of HSK affairs.

4.Test dates in 2014

Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)

HSK Speaking Test (HSKK)

Youth Chinese Test (YCT)

Vocation & Business Chinese Test(BCT)

Please note that Internet-based Testis available in some test centers. For moreinformation please visit http://www.chinesetest.cn/ChangeLan.do?languge=en&t=1407404251359.