HSK （汉语水平考试)

What is HSK?

HSK （汉语水平考试 hànyǔ shǔipíng kǎoshì ）, short form for The Chinese Proficiency Test，is the national standardized test to evaluate the Chinese proficiency of non-native Chinese speakers, which is divided into three categories: Beginning level, Elementary to intermediate level, and Advanced level. There are nearly hundred examination sites all over the world. And nearly 500 thousand person-times from more than 120 countries have taken HSK. Meanwhile, the result of HSK influences study and choice of jobs of non-native Chinese speakers in China. People whose mark reaches the standard can get the corresponding certificate.

2009 HSK Test Timetable in China

HSK test level information and sample tests

HSK sample tests

· Sample test: Basic

· Sample test: Intermediate

· Sample test: Advanced

Test level information

The following information provides some guidance on the requirements that each level of HSK test requires, the composition of the test at each level, the duration of each test, and the certificate to be awarded according to the results achieved.

Beginners level:

Beginners level test duration: 135 mins

This level is designed for those who have received tuition in Chinese of between 100 and 800 hours, with a good knowledge of 400 - 3000 frequently used Chinese words.

The test consists of three parts, listening, grammar and reading.

Elementary/Intermediate level:

Elementary/Intermediate level test duration: 145 mins

This level is designed for those who have received 400 - 2000 hours of tuition in Chinese, with a good working knowledge of roughly 2000 - 5000 commonly used words.

The elementary and intermediate levels of HSK test follow the same test paper. The marks achieved at the end of the test will determine which level of proficiency is reached. The test consists of four parts, listening, grammar, reading and mixed skills.

Advanced level:

Advanced level test duration: 155 mins

This level is designed for those who have mastery of 5000 - 8000 Chinese words (referring to level A, B, C and D in the Outline of HSK vocabulary) and the corresponding rules of grammar (referring to level A, B, C and D in the Outline of HSK Grammar).

HSK Advanced consists of three separately timed subtests: 120—item written test (objective), composition and oral test. The 120—item test is organized into three subtests: listening, reading and cloze. The oral test takes the form of an interview.