Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi

Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi
File:Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Logo.png HSK Logo
Simplified Chinese	汉语水平考试
Traditional Chinese	漢語水平考試
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì Wade–Giles Hànyǚ Shuǐp'íng K'ǎoshìh IPA [xânỳ ʂu̯èi̯pʰǐŋ kʰàu̯ʂɻ̩̂] Yale Romanization Hànyǔ Shweǐpíng Kǎushr̀ Yue: Cantonese Jyutping hon3 jyu5 seoi2 ping4 haau2 si3 IPA [hɔ̄ːn ʔy̬ː sɵ̌y pʰɪ̏ŋ hǎːu sī] Yale Romanization hon jyúh seuí pìhng háau si Southern Min Hokkien POJ Hàn-gú Chúi-pêng Khó-chhì

The Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (HSK) (Chinese: 汉语水平考试), translated as Chinese Proficiency Test, or Chinese Standard Exam, is China's only standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers such as foreign students and overseas Chinese.

It is not uncommon to simply refer to a standard or level of proficiency by the HSK level number, or "score." For example, a job description might ask for foreign applicants with "HSK5 or better."

The test is administered by Hanban, an agency of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

Background, purpose and use

Development began in 1984 at Beijing Language and Culture University and in 1992 the HSK was officially made a national standardized test. By 2005, over 120 countries had participated as regular host sites and the tests had been taken around 100 million times (domestic ethnic minority candidates included). The general count outside of China is stated as being around 1.9 million. In 2011 Beijing International Chinese College became the first HSK testing center to conduct the online HSK test.

The HSK test approximates the English TOEFL, and an HSK certificate is valid without any limitation in China. The test aims to be a certificate of language proficiency for higher educational and professional purposes.

Each year HSK certificates are issued to those who meet required scores. Unlike the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language offered in Taiwan and administered in traditional Chinese characters, the HSK is administered in Simplified Chinese. In addition, test takers with outstanding results can win a scholarship for short-term language study in China.

Current structure (since 2010)

The current format was introduced in 2010, with a philosophy of testing "comprehensive language and communication ability". Most notable is the inclusion of written segments at all levels (not just Advanced, as in the pre-2010 test), reformation of the ranking system, and use of new question structures. Complete vocabulary lists, previous tests, and simulated tests are available as preparation materials. A minor update of the vocabulary lists was made in 2012.

The HSK consists of a written test and an oral test, which are taken separately. This oral test is also known as the HSKK or 汉语水平口语考试.

Written test

Level	Vocabulary				Written test			Description
	Words (cumulative / new)		Characters (cumulative / new)		Listening	Reading	Writing
1	150	150	174	174	20 questions, 15 min	20 questions, 17 min	Not tested	Designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies. In HSK 1 all characters are provided along with Pinyin.
2	300	150	347	173	35 questions, 25 min	25 questions, 22 min		Designed for learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion to their daily lives. In HSK 2 all characters are provided along with Pinyin as well.
3	600	300	617	270	40 questions	30 questions	10 items	Designed for 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.
4	1200	600	1064	447	45 questions	40 questions	15 items	Designed for learners who can discuss a relatively wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating with Chinese speakers at a high standard.
5	2500	1300	1685	621	45 questions	45 questions	10 items	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.
6	5000	2500	2663	978	50 questions	50 questions	1 composition	Designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form.

Listening, Reading and Writing each have a maximum score of 100. HSK 1 and 2 therefore have a maximum score of 200 with 120 points required to pass. The higher levels have a maximum of 300 points with 180 points required to pass. There is no minimum amount of points required for each of the sections as long as the sum is over 120 or 180 points respectively.

Hanban provides examples of the exam for the different levels together with a list of words that need to be known for each level. These examples are also available (together with the audio for the Listening Test) on the websites of the Confucius Institute at QUT and HSK Academy.

Estimates of equivalent CEFR levels

In 2010, Hanban stated that the HSK's six levels correspond on a one-to-one basis with the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) This statement has been rejected by both the German and the French association of Chinese language teachers, which argue that HSK level 6 is equivalent to CEFR level B2 or C1.

HSK level	Hanban estimate	German association estimate	French association estimate
6	C2	B2	B2-C1
5	C1	B1	B1
4	B2	A2	A2
3	B1	A1	A1-A2
2	A2	A1.1	A1.1
1	A1	Below A1	Below A1

Oral test

The HSKK test is a separate test. However, the three HSKK levels correspond with the six HSK levels of the written test.

HSK level	HSKK level	ECR	Words	Questions	Minutes
1	Beginner	A	200	27	17
2
3	Intermediate	B	900	14	21
4
5	Advanced	C	3000	6	24
6

Former structure (before 2010)

Test Rank (等第)	Vocabulary (cumulative)	Score (级别)	Certificate
HSK Advanced	Characters: 2865 Words: 8840	11	Advanced A
		10	Advanced B
		9	Advanced C*
		-	none
HSK Elementary/ Intermediate	Characters: 2194 Words: 5257	8	Intermediate A
		7	Intermediate B
		6	Intermediate C
	Characters: 1603 Words: 3052	5	Elementary A
		4	Elementary B
		3	Elementary C**
		-	none
HSK Basic	Characters: 800 Words: 1033	3	Basic A
		2	Basic B
		1	Basic C
		-	none
*Generally signifies a professional level. **Generally required for non-language academic programs.

Ranking

Formerly, there were 11 possible ranks (1-11) and 3 test formats (Basic, Elementary/Intermediate, and Advanced). A rank of between 3 and 8 was needed to enroll in a Chinese university, depending on the subject being studied. A score of 9 or higher was a common business standard.

A student taking the Basic test (基础HSK) could attain a rank of 1 through 3 (1级-3级), or fail to meet requirements and thus not receive a rank. The Elementary/Intermediate test (初中等HSK) covered ranks 3-8 (3级-8级), with ranks below 3 not considered. Likewise, the Advanced test (高等HSK) covered ranks 9-11 (9级-11级), with scores below 9 not considered.

Content

The previous format for both Basic and Elementary/Intermediate HSK included four sections: listening comprehension, grammar structures, reading comprehension, and written expressions. Aside from written expressions portion (which requires writing of Chinese characters), these two tests were completely multiple-choice. The Advanced HSK however, added an additional two portions: spoken and written.

Test dates and locations

The HSK is held at designated test centers in China and abroad. A list of test centers can be found at the HSK website. Test dates are published annually and written tests are more frequently held than spoken ones, generally around once a month, depending on the test center. Test registration is usually open until 30 days prior to the actual test date for the paper-based test or around 10 days prior the actual test date for the computer-based test. Results are generally available around 30 days after completion (but no definite date is given for results).

See also

• Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language - an HSK-like test in use in Taiwan
• JLPT - an HSK-like test in use in Japan
• ZHC (test) - a professional Chinese language ability exam for People's Republic of China citizens
• List of language proficiency tests - a list of proficiency tests in other languages

External links

Listen to this article (info/dl)

This audio file was created from a revision of the "Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi" article dated 2005-12-14, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)

More spoken articles

• Official site for Chinese Language Tests
• Official HSK Website at Hanban
• List of Chinese characters needed to be known to pass HSK
• List of HSK words by level on Wiktionary