Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi
The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, translated as the Chinese Proficiency Test used in China, is the standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency of China for non-native speakers such as foreign students and overseas Chinese. The test is administered by the Hanban, an agency of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.
Background
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. The general count of candidates from 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 HSK test online.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. It is not uncommon to 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 HSK is administered solely in Mandarin and in simplified Chinese characters; however, if the exam is paper-based, the test-taker can choose to write the writing assignments in simplified or in traditional characters, at their discretion. The test can be either paper-based or Internet-based, depending on what the specific test center offers. With an Internet-based test, the writing part with characters is slightly easier, as one types the pinyin and selects the right character from the list, while with a paper-based test, one must remember the characters, their strokes and their order, and write them out.
Test takers with outstanding results can win a scholarship for short-term language study in China.
Structure
From 2020
In 2020, an internal Chinese academic paper discussed that the Chinese Proficiency Standards shall usher in a new change: a hybrid paradigm of “Three Stages and Nine Levels” characterized by integration and all-in-one. There is currently little information on this new change.The new test is meant to follow the latest research in the field of language studies and testing.
The basic levels should test from 500 to 2245 words, the intermediate levels from 3245 to 5456 words, the advanced levels from about 6000 to 11000 words.
The intermediate levels should test the ability to understand slightly modified authentic materials or authentic materials written/spoken in a clear manner and intended for educated mother tongue speakers: materials concerning everyday topics, simple articles, simple commentaries and critiques found in newspapers and magazines.
The advanced levels should test the ability to understand longer, more complicated and abstract materials: extracts from authentic sources as textbooks for Chinese university students, Chinese magazine and essays, extracts from modern Chinese literature, interviews and extracts from Chinese media. Moreover, classical Chinese expressions and classical Chinese grammatical structures used in modern formal Chinese should be included too.
Between 2010–2020
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, 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
The Listening, Reading and Writing tests each have a maximum score of 100. HSK 1 and 2 therefore have a maximum score of 200 with 120 points required to pass. HSK 3 and 4 have a maximum of 300 points with 180 points required to pass. There is no minimum number of points required for each of the sections as long as the sum is over 120 or 180 points respectively.HSK 5 and 6 also have a maximum of 300 points and originally required a score of 180 points to pass. However, since a decision made in February 2013, there has been no official passing score for either HSK 5 or 6.
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 on the websites of the Confucius Institute at QUT and HSK Academy.
Online test
The written version is now available in two forms, a computer and a paper based test. Both tests are still held at test centers, the differences between the two are as follows:- Not every test center has the facilities for conducting computer based tests
- Computer based tests allow you to input characters using the keyboard
- Results of computer based tests are published 2 weeks after the exam, paper based test results take 1 month
Oral test
| HSK level | HSKK level | ECR | Words | Questions | Minutes |
| 1 | Beginner | A | 200 | 27 | 17 |
| 2 | Beginner | A | 200 | 27 | 17 |
| 3 | Intermediate | B | 900 | 14 | 21 |
| 4 | Intermediate | B | 900 | 14 | 21 |
| 5 | Advanced | C | 3000 | 6 | 24 |
| 6 | Advanced | C | 3000 | 6 | 24 |
Comparison with CEFR levels
In 2010, Hanban asserted that the HSK's six levels corresponded to the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages However, the German and French associations of Chinese language teachers reject this equivalency, arguing that HSK Level 6 is only equivalent to CEFR Level B2 or C1.Before 2010
Ranking
Formerly, there were 11 possible ranks and 3 test formats. 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 could attain a rank of 1 through 3, or fail to meet requirements and thus not receive a rank. The Elementary/Intermediate test covered ranks 3-8, with ranks below 3 not considered. Likewise, the Advanced test covered ranks 9-11, 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 the written expressions portion, 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.The test cannot be taken on Taiwan, Kinmen, or any of the territories administered by the Republic of China. In these areas, only the TOCFL exam can be taken. Conversely, the TOCFL can not be taken in China, Macau, or Hong Kong.