Test Structure

The new HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels, namely the HSK (level 1), HSK (level 2), HSK (level 3), HSK (level 4), HSK (level 5), and HSK (level 6).

Test Levels

The levels of the new HSK correspond to the levels of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) as follows:

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 1) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 2) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 3) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese when travelling in China.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 4) can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 5) can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and plays, and give a full-length speech in Chinese.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level 6) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.

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 purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.

The new HSK emphasizes the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation and stresses the learners’ actual Chinese language abilities.

The new HSK sets clear test objectives to allow test takers to be able to improve their Chinese language abilities in a systematic and efficient way.

Testing Purposes

The new HSK retains the former HSK’s orientation as a general (or universal) Chinese language abilities test for adult learners. The results of the test can serve several purposes:

• A reference for an educational institution’s decision making concerning recruiting students, assigning students to different classes, allowing students to skip certain courses and granting students’ academic credits.
• A reference for employers’ decision making concerning the recruitment, training and promotion of test takers.
• A method for Chinese language learners to assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.
• A method for Chinese language training institutions to evaluate training results.

Results Certificate

Test takers will receive the results of the new HSK via a certificate issued by Hanban within one month after the test. Candidates can check the official testing site for their test scores.

Passing scores:
HSK 1 & 2 – 120 points
HSK 3 – 6  – 180 points
HSKK (all levels) – 60 points

Registration

Registration period: TBD

To register for the HSK examinations, please complete the following steps:

1. Fill out the Confucius Institute’s HSK test registration form. 
2. Create an account on www.chinesetest.cn and sign up for the HSK test.
3. Pay the test fee (please consult the table below)

4. Present the official payment receipt at the CI Administration Office. The CI will retain a photocopy of the document, with the original receipt returned to the student. A few days prior to the HSK exams, the test taker will receive a test admission ticket via email.

HSK Exams – Terms and conditions

Please read carefully the following information:

• The test taker should arrive at the test room at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the exam. If the exam begins at 8:00 a.m., then the test taker should arrive at the test room by 7:30 a.m. The chief examiner has the right to refuse test takers who enter the test room after 7:30 a.m. Refund or reexamination will not be allowed for the test taker who is late.
• The test taker may carry the following articles: test admission ticket, ID card, 2B pencil (two or more) and eraser. Except for the aforementioned articles, any other personal article is not allowed to be carried into the test room.
• In general, the test taker may log on to the registration website to inquire about results around 30 working days after the completion of the test.
• When completing registration on the www.chinesetest.cn website, a photo of the candidate must be uploaded. The requirements for the picture are as follows:
  • Passport sized picture with a white background
  • Format: JPG
  • File size: less than 100K

  Should the candidate have any problems uploading the photo, he/she may consult the staff at the Confucius Institute for assistance.

• The minimum number of candidates required for the test to be held is 10 students (cumulative total of students across all levels). The Confucius Institute reserves the right to cancel the test if the minimum quota is not met.
• The deadline for test registration is one month prior to the HSK examination date. If you would like to register for the exam, please make every effort to register within the assigned registration dates. Under no circumstances would the examination registration deadlines be extended.
• Candidates are asked to obey all regulations outlined by the examination staff in the examination room. If a candidate commits any of the fraudulent practices listed below in the examination room, he/she may be banned from sitting the current examination as well as future HSK tests.
  • Taking the test for others or hiring another person to take the test;
  • Using fraudulent practices to help others or themselves by any means;
  • Carrying or using articles not allowed in the test room;
  • Acquiring the test information by any inappropriate means;
  • Taking the test questions out of the test room in any form;
  • Not following the instructions and warnings of the exam administrator;
  • Deliberately destroying facilities in the test room or facilities related to the test;
  • Deliberately disturbing the peace in the test room or affecting the test of others;
  • Other fraudulent practices and disruptive behaviour as determined by the exam administrator.

The Chinese Language Proficiency Exam Brochure

Brochure_HSK