ABOUT HSK

An Introduction to HSK

Beginning Level of HSK (HSK Basic)

About HSK Elementary-Intermediate

About HSK Advanced

Issuing of the HSK certificate and period of validity of the certificate

Test Dates

Registering for HSK

TakIng HSK

An Introduction to HSK

Chinese HSK Xi'an testing

center at the university

China's Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, also known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test,is the national standardized test designed and developed by the HSK Center of Xi'an Foreign Language University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non- native speakers( including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese national minorities).According to level of
difficulty, HSK is divided into three categories: beginning level (HSK Basic), elementary to intermediate level (HSK Elementary -Intermediate), and advanced level (HSK Advanced). These three categories of the test form a comprehensive testing system, ranging from beginning to advanced level. As tests of general language proficiency, HSK is not based on any particular textbook or course of study. Therefore candidates may refer to any textbook
in preparing for the test.

In order to be thoroughly familiar with the test, candidates are expected to read the HSK Guide for Basic , Elementary - Intermediate and Advanced level and the User Handbook which describes the organization and content of the test. 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.

HSK and the issuing of HSK Certificates are supervised by the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the Ministry ofEducation.HSK is jointly administered by the Office of the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test and the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University.

Beginning Level of HSK (HSK Basic)

HSK Basic is a standardized test designed for beginners. It is most appropriate for those who have acquired 400--3000 basic Chinese words (referring to level A and B in the Outline of HSK Vocahulary) and the corresponding rules of grammar (referring to level A and B in the Outline of HSK Grammar ).

 

1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Basic:

The Certificate of HSK Basic includes three levels, i. e. level A, B and C. (Level A is the highest, equivalent to level C of the Certificate of HSK Elementary-Intermediate) The certificates will he awarded to those who have secured the required scores. The certificate of HSK Basic serves.

(1) as a requirement to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western medicine (Level A only).

(2) to exempt students from taking certain language courses in China.

(3) as a reference for hiring decisions for positions requiring basic competence in Chinese.

 

2. HSK Basic scoring system:

(1) A subscore of HSK Basic is a scale score ranging from 0 to 100 with 50 as the mean and 20 as the standard deviation. The total score, which is the sum of scale scores for subscores, is a scale score ranging from 0 to 300. The scale subscores show the relative position of a candidate in a standard HSK Basic sample group. Table 1. 1 gives the percentile of scale subscores. The second row indicates the percentage occupied by those whose scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK Basic reference group.

Table 1.1 Percentile of subscores of HSK Basic

(2) The type and grade of HSK Basic is based on the total score. Table 1.2 explains the type and grade of the certificate.

Table 1.2 HSK Types and Grades of the Basic Certificate

(3) Requirements to obtain HSK Basic certificate:
The candidate must secure the total minimum score required for the corresponding level.

3. Description of the level scoring system of HSK Basic:
HSK Basic has three score levels ranging from 1 to 3:
Level 1
Has basic competence (Low) in Chinese. Able to handle simple, elementary
needs in very familiar situations. Any person having mastery of 600 Chinese
words and certain rules of grammar can reach this standard which is also the
standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade C.
Level 2
Has basic ( Mid ) in Chinese . Able to satisfy partially the requirements of basic
communicative exchanges. Level 2 is the standard for obtaining the certificate of
HSK Basic Grade B.
Level 3
Has basic competence (High) in Chinese. Level 3 is the minimum level in Chinese
proficiency for a candidate to be admitted to a college or university in China as an
undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western
medicine as well as the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade
A, which is equivalent to Grade C of HSK Elementary.

4. Components and test length of HSK Basic HSK Basic is a 140-item, 135-minute test. HSK Basic is divided into three subtests:listening, sentence structure and reading . All items are multiple-choice. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or go back to an earlier section. The test is taken in this order:

About HSK Elementary-Intermediate

HSK Elementary-Intermediate is suitable for persons who have mastery of  2000 ---5000 Chinese words (referring to level A, B and C in the Outline of HSK Vocabulary) and certain rules of grammar (referring to level A, B and C in the Outline of  HSK Grammar).

1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Elementary-Intermediate:
(1) to be a requirement to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate
student.
(2) to exempt the holder from taking certain language courses in China.
(3) as a basis for employers to evaluate job applicants' Chinese language proficiency.

2. HSK Elementary-Inermediate scoring system:
(1) Interpretation of the scores of HSk Elementary-Intermediate:
A subscore of HSK Elementary-Tntermediate is a scale score with 50 as the
mean and 15 as the standard deviation. The total score is a scale score with 200 as the mean and 60 as the standard deviation . These scores show the relative position of the candidate in a standard HSK sample group. In table 2.1 , it indicates the relative position of a candidate in the whole group . The column on the right gives the percentage of those whose scores are lower 18 than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK reference group . The total score is not equal to the sum of all the subscores.

HSK Score		Percentage
Total score	Subscore	1
400	100	100
277	69	90
250	63	80
231	58	70
215	54	60
200	50	50
185	46	40
169	42	30
150	37	20
123	31	10

Table 2.1 Percentile of the scores of HSK Elementary-Intermediate

(2) Table 2. 2 shows the subseores of Elementary-Intermediate as well as the and
grades of the certificate of Elementary-Intermediate.

Table 2. 2 HSK subscore ranking standard and types , grades of Elementary and Intermediate certificate

In table 2.2, HSK Elementary has a bottom 19 line below level C, which is established for the convenience of setting the standards for HSK elementary certificate.So the bottom line cannot be used for measuring the beginning level. The candidate cannot gain the certificate of HSK Elementary if his score reaches the bottom line.
3. Description of level scoring system:
HSK has eleven score levels, amongst which levels 1--3 are the beginning level,
levels 3--5 are the elementary level, levels 6--8 are the intermediate level, levels 9--11 are the advanced level. The following is the description of levels 3--level 8.
Level 3
Has basic (low) competence in Chinese. A person reaching this level can gain the
certificate of HSK Elementary Grade C. Level 3 is the minimum level in Chinese
proficiency for a candidate to be admitted to a college or university in China as an
undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western
medicine.
Level 4
Has basic (mid) competence in Chinese. Can gain the certificate of HSK
Elementary Grade B.
Level 5
Has basic (high) competence in Chinese. Can gain the certificate of HSK Elemen-
tary Grade A.
Level 6
Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (low) level.Can gain the certificate of
HSK Intermediate Grade C. Level 6 is the minimum level required by the Ministry
of Education for a candidate to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of literature, history and traditional Chinese
medicine.
Level 7
Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (mid) level. Can gain the certificate
of HSK Intermediate Grade B.
Level 8
Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (high) level. Can gain the certificate
of HSK Intermediate Grade A.
.
4. Requirements to obtain the certificate of HSK Elementary-Intermediate:
(1) The candidate must secure the total scores required for the corresponding grade.
(2) The candidate must secure three of the four required subscores for the corresponding grade.
(3) Only one of the four subscores is allowed to be lower than the required minimum
grade, but not lower than the minimum scores of the next lower grade. In such a case, the candidate can only be awarded the certificate of a lower grade.The above 3 requirements aim at encouraging the candidate to develop various skills in Chinese uniformly . The irregular development of any particular skill will affect the obtaining of the HSK certificate.
.5. Components and test length of HSK Elementary-Intermediate:
HSK Elementary-Intermediate is a 170-item, 145 minutes test which is divided
into four subtests: listening, sentence structure, reading and doze. Items from 1--154
are multiple-choice. Items 155--170 are a test of comprehension in which blank spaces at regular intervals in a text must be filled in with appropriate Chinese characters. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or turn to a previous section.The test is taken in this order:

About HSK Advanced

HSK Advanced applies to 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 Din the Outline of HSK Grammar).
1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Advanced:
(1) to be a requirement in Chinese proficiency for a candidate to enter a university in
China as a graduate student.
(2) to exempt the holder from taking certain Chinese courses.
(3) to certify the holder as being qualified in doing ordinary work by using Chinese as a communicative tool.
2. HSK Advanced scoring system:
(1) Interpretation of the scores of HSK Advanced:
A subscore of HSK Advanced is a scale score with 50 as the mean and 15 as
the standard deviation. These scores show the relative position of the candidate in a
standard sample group. Table 3.1 helps to locate the relative position of a candidate in
the whole group. The second line indicates the percentage occupied by those whose
scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK reference group

subscore	100	69	63	58	54	50	46	42	37	31
percentage	100	90	80	70	60	50	40	30	20	10

.Table 3.1 Percentile of subscores of HSK Advanced

(2) Table 3.2 shows the types and grades of the certificate of HSK Advanced

Table 3.2 Types and grades of the certificate of HSK Advanced

In table 3.2, HSK Advanced has a bottom line, which is established for the conventence of setting the standards for the certificate of HSK Advanced. So the bottom line is only efficacious for ranking HSK advanced levels. It cannot be used for ranking his level in HSK elementary and intermediate when the score of a candidate reaches the bottom line.

3. Description of the level scoring system for HSK Advanced:
HSK has eleven score levels, among which levels 9--11 are the advanced level.

Level 9 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced ( low ) level . Level 9 is the standard
to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade C. This is also the requirement for a candidate to use Chinese as a commu- nicative tool in ordinary work.

 

Level 10 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (mid) level. Level 10 is the standard
to ohtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade B. This is also the requirement
for a candidate to use Chinese as a communicative tool in ordinary work.

Level1 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (high) level. Reaching level 11 can be
regarded as qualified as an intermediate interpreter or translator. Level 11 is the standard to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade A.

4. Requirements to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced:
(1) The candidate must secure the total score required for the corresponding grade of the certificate.
(2) Tn the five subtests , the candidate must secure three of the four suhscores for
listening, reading, composition and oral test required for the corresponding grade.
(3) Two of the five subscores may be lower than the required minimum, (for the four
subtests of listening, reading, composition and oral, only one subscore may be lower
than the required minimum for the corresponding grade), but not lower than the required minimum scores for the next lower grade. In such a case, the candidate can only be awarded a certificate of a lower grade.
(4) None of the five subscores is allowed to be lower than the bottom line under
Grade C

5. Components and test length of HSK Advanced:
The total test length is 2 hours 35 minutes.
HSK Advanced consists of three separately timed subtests: 1204tem written test
(objective ), composition and oral test.The 120 - item test is organized into three
subtests: listening, reading and doze. A variety of objective question types will be used including multiple-choice, matching, gap- filling and writing Chinese characters . The oral test takes the form of an interview. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only, and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or go back to a previous section.

The test is taken in this order and timed as follows:

1) objective .... item .... 120 items .... 105 minutes
a) listening .... 40 items .... approximately 25 minutes
b) reading
first sect nio ...... 15 items .... 15 minutes
secondsection ... 25 items .... 25 minutes
c) cloze .... 40 items .... 40 minutes
After the l20item written test, there is a 10- minute rest break. Then a composition
and oral test follow.
2) composition .... 30 minutes
3) oral test first .... 20 minutes
first stage ........ preparation ........ 10 minutes
second stage ... talk (recorded) .. 10 minutes

Issuing of the HSK certificate and period of validity of the certificate

1. The HSK certificate and score report will he mailed to the HSK centers or agencies
by the sponsoring institution within two months after the test date. The candidates may
get the certificate and score report either by collecting themselves at the test center or
by mail from the test center.
2. The HSK certificate has permanent validity, whereas the period of validity of the
score report , as certification for foreign students to enter a college or university in
China, is two years (beginning from the date when the test session is administered).

Test Dates
HSK Basic is offered twice a year on fixed dates.
(1) the second Sunday in January 2: 30 p. m. (Beijing time)
(2) the fourth Sunday in May 2:30 p.m. (Beijing time)
HSK Elementary-Intermediate is offered three times a year on fixed dates.
(1) the second Sunday in January 9: 00 a. m. (Beijing time)
(2) the fourth Sunday in May 9:00a.m. (Beijing time)
(3) July 25, 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)
HSK Advanced is administered once a year on a fixed date
(1) the second Sunday in May 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)

Registering for HSK
(1) Two recent 30 x 40 mm photoS without head wear and a photo-bearing
identification, such as a passport or residence permit.
(2) The appropriate fees for the test and registration (fees may differ for tests
administered in different countries, so please contact the test center for details). Fees
for the test and registration will not be refunded under any circumstances. When a
candidate cannot take the test and makes 28 the request to the test center in which he
registered before the test date, be will be required to pay only the registration fee if he
takes another test in the future.
(3) A candidate not near to a test center may register by mail and should send the
following:
a) a copy of the identification paper;
b) a resume to include name, sex, nationali- ty date of birth and address;
c) two recent 30 x 40 photos without bead wear;
d ) fees for the test and registration in the form of money order.
All applications must be sent by registered mail at least one week before the
registration deadline. No registration may be made by telephone. Candidates will be
given admission tickets and the HSK User Handbook (free of charge). Candidates
must report to the testing room according to the time and place written on the admission ticket. The admission ticket will not be mailed in case it should get lost. It will be given to ihe candidate upon arrival at the testing site.
It is important for all the candidates taking the test to be familiar with the User
Handbook, which contains complete information about test taking.
The HSK Guide, sample test papers and a key, accompanied by a cassette tape
recording of the listening section of the sample test are available in all the test centers or agencies. Candidates are responsible for purchasing them directly from the test centers.

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Taking HSK
a ) To be admitted to the test center , every examinee will be required to present the
admission ticket and an official identification such as a passport or residence permit
bearing a recognizable photograph.
b) Pencils, erasers and a watch are the only items permitted in the test center.

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