汉语水平考试 hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì (HSK): Chinese Proficiency Test

Test structure

HSK is an international standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency. This test aims to assess the non-native speakers` capabilities of applying Chinese language in daily life, study and work. The HSK test consists of two independent parts, a writing test and a speaking test. They are taken separately. The writing test is divided into six different levels (not 11 levels like it was in the old HSK system). The oral test comprises of 3 levels: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced.

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 new HSK emphasizes the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation and stresses the learners` actual Chinese language abilities. To enter a Chinese university a test taker must score a minimum of 180 on the HSK 4.

Test Levels

Each level has a following structure, duration and price (the price depends on the location you choose to pass the exam):

Writing Test

Level 1: 40-minute test on Listening and Reading. Price: ￥150;

Level 2: 55-minute test on Listening and Reading. Price: ￥250;

Level 3: 90-minute test on Listening, Reading and Writing. Price: ￥350;

Level 4: 105-minute test on Listening, Reading and Writing. Price: ￥450;

Level 5: 125-minute test on Listening, Reading and Writing. Price: ￥550;

Level 6: 140-minute test on Listening, Reading and Writing. Price: ￥650.

Oral Test:

Level А (Elementary), price ￥150, duration 17 minutes.

The test consists of 3 parts:

• retelling
• answer the oral questions
• answer the written questions

Level B (Intermediate), price￥250, duration 21 minutes.

The test consists of 3 parts:

• retelling
• picture description
• answer the questions

Level С (Advanced), price￥350, duration 24 minutes.

The test consists of 3 parts:

• retelling
• reading aloud
• answer the questions

HSK 1

Test takers have to know 150 most commonly used Chinese words, understand and be able to use simple Chinese phrases and have basic grammar rules.

HSK 2

Test takers have to know 300 most commonly used Chinese words, be able to complete communicative tasks, which are aimed at applying Chinese in a basic fashion to learners` daily lives in a simple and direct manner.

HSK 3

Test takers have to know 600 most commonly used Chinese words, use Chinese to serve the demands of their personal lives, studies and work, and are capable to use their language skills successfully whilst travelling in China.

HSK 4

Test takers have to know 1200 most commonly used Chinese words, be able to discuss a wide range of topics freely in Chinese including communication with Chinese speakers.

HSK 5

Test takers have to know 2500 most commonly used Chinese words, be able to read Chinese newspapers and magazines, watch Chinese movies and plays and express themselves easily in Chinese.

HSK 6

Test takers have to know 5000 most commonly used Chinese words, understand easily any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form.

HSK Schedule for 2016

You can register online at www.chinesetesting.cn. 3 weeks later after taking your exam, you can see your results there. In Russia, you can take HSK Exam in the following test centers: