ChineseatHome.com

简体中文

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who designs HSK tests ?

A: All HSK tests are designed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University located in Beijing, China. The Center's entire work, from making tests to issuing certificates, is supervised by the National Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the Ministry of Education of China.


Q: How long has HSK been in existence?

A: HSK was first offered in 1990. Since then, many test centers have been established in China and in nearly twenty foreign countries, and HSK has been held regularly in each test center every year.


Q: Who issues HSK Certificates?

A: All HSK certificates are issued by the National Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test, which is under the Ministry of Education of China.


Q: How useful are HSK Certificates?

A: Your HSK certificate(s) can serve the following purposes:

To certify that you have obtained the required Chinese proficiency to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate or graduate student; To certify that you have obtained the required Chinese proficiency and thus, you may be exempted from taking certain Chinese language courses in your institution (if your institution agrees to grant you the permission).

To serve as a reference when you apply for a job position that requires a certain level of Chinese competency.

To win scholarships to study in China

To test your Chinese proficiency if you are learning the language.


Q: Will my HSK certificate expire?

A: Your HSK certificate is like a "diploma": once you receive it, it becomes your property and it is valid permanently. However, if you wish to use your HSK scores to apply for admission to a college or university in China, your scores are good for two years only (from the date you take the test).


Q: Which level do I need to achieve?

A: If you intend to study in a college or university in China, and you plan to apply for an undergraduate program in arts (e.g. Chinese literature, history, philosophy and traditional medicine), an " Intermediate Level C " certificate (representing Language Level 6) is required.

If you wish to apply for an undergraduate program in other majors, an " Elementary Level C " or " Basic Level A " certificate (representing Language Level 3) is a must. You should hold an " Advanced Level C " certificate (representing Language Level

If you plan to apply for a graduate program. Without proper HSK certificate, you will have to take Chinese language courses at the relevant institutions in China before you are allowed to be enrolled in an academic program.

If you wish to use your HSK scores as an evidence to be exempted from taking Chinese language courses in the United States, you should contact your home institution about the possibility of doing so.

 

Q: What is the HSK Scholarship?

A: The HSK Scholarship was established by the Chinese HSK Authorities. Its purpose is to financially aid those HSK examinees who have obtained excellent scores to study in China. Scholarship recipients can study Chinese language, culture, history and philosophy at a Chinese university for one year. They can enjoy free tuition, free accommodation, free textbooks and free medical care. However, recipients are responsible for their international traveling expenses.

To apply for the HSK Winner Scholarship, you must meet all the following requirements:

You are a non-Chinese citizen;

Your native language is not Chinese;

You are under forty-five years of age;

You have earned a HSK certificate.


Q: How many sections are there in HSK tests?

A: HSK Basic is composed of three sections: listening comprehension; sentence structure; and reading comprehension.
HSK Elementary-Intermediate is composed of four sections: listening comprehension; sentence structure; reading comprehension and filling in blanks.
HSK Advance has three sections: written examination (including listening comprehension; reading comprehension; and filling in blanks); composition; and oral examination.


Q: How long does a HSK test last?

A: HSK Basic lasts altogether 135 minutes; Elementary-Intermediate lasts 145 minutes; and Advanced is 155 minutes.


Q: How many items/questions are there in HSK tests?

A: HSK Basic has altogether 140 individual items or questions; Elementary-Intermediate has 170; and Advanced has 240 (not including composition and oral test)


Q: What is the format of a HSK test?

A: The format of HSK Basic and Elementary-Intermediate is multiple-choice, similar to that of SAT (verbal), TOEFL or GRE.


Q: What Is HSK scoring system?

A: The scoring system:

HSK Basic is as follows: a sub score 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 sub scores, is a scale score ranging from "0" to "300." The scale sub scores show the relative position of an examinee in a standard HSK Basic sample group. The type and grade of HSK Basic is based on the total score.

Elementary-Intermediate follows a sub score of Elementary-Intermediate and Advanced is a scale with 50 as the mean and 15 as the standard deviation. The total score is a scaled score with 200 as the mean score and 60 as the standard deviation.

Advanced follows: a sub score of Elementary-Intermediate and Advanced is a scale with 50 as the mean and 15 as the standard deviation. The total score is a scaled score with 200 as the mean score and 60 as the standard deviation.


Q: Can I re-take a same category test?

A: Yes. In case you fail, you can take the same category test again. There is no waiting period, nor limit of how many times you are allowed to take the test. All you need to do is to apply again, and be better prepared next time.


Q: Am I eligible to apply for HSK tests?

A: The application is open to all interested people.


Q: Which category should I apply to take?

A: We recommend that you take into consideration two main factors:

Your purpose of taking the test (e.g. what kind of certificate you expect);

Your current Chinese competence level.

The HSK (Basic) is appropriate for learners who have had 100 to 800 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, master 400 to 3,000 Chinese characters at the A and B levels of HSK Vocabulary, and understand corresponding Chinese grammar structures.

The HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) is appropriate for learners who have had 400 to 2,000 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, master 2,000 to 5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B, and C levels of HSK Vocabulary , and understand corresponding Chinese grammar structures.

The HSK (Advanced) is appropriate for learners who had 3,000 or more hours of formal education in modern Chinese, master 5,000 or more Chinese characters at A, B, C, and D levels of HSK Vocabulary , and understand corresponding Chinese grammar structures.


Q: When should I decide to take which category's test?

A: You must decide by the time you fill out your registration form. Once you have made your choice, you can not change from one category to another afterwards. Your Chinese level in the category that you have applied will be decided by the total scores that you obtain in the test.


Q: How can I prepare for HSK?

A: HSK is a general language examination; it is not based on any particular textbook or subject. Thus you may use any textbooks you prefer to prepare for the test. Sample tests are available for download at the McGill's East Asian Studies website.

Some private education agencies, may offer training to help you know more about the test. Chinese bookstores in Chinatown may carry testing books. McGill offers a brief training session the day prior to the test.


Q: What should I bring when taking HSK test?

A: On the date of the test, all applicants should bring the Test Admission Card, a picture ID, 2B pencils and an eraser. When taking the test, you should have nothing on your desk except the Test Admission Card, Photo ID, test booklet, answer sheet, pencils and erasers. You are not allowed to use any tape-recorders, cameras, dictionaries, notebooks, textbooks or papers.


Q: What if I am late for the test?

A: It is your responsibility to come to the testing room on time. If you are less than five minutes late (counted from the start of the Listening Comprehension section), you will be permitted to enter the testing room. If you are five to thirty-five minutes late, you may be allowed to enter the room when the Listening Comprehension section is finished, however, NO make-up will be granted to you for the part you have missed. If you are late for more than thirty-five minutes, you will be automatically lost the opportunity to take the test, with NO make-up whatsoever.