The Hàny? Shu?píng K?oshì (HSK) (Chinese: ??????), translated as the Chinese Proficiency Test or the 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 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.
Video Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi
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 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.
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, to his discretion.
The test can be either paper-based or internet-based, depending on what the specific test center offer. With an internet based test the writing part with characters (from HSK 3 on) is slightly easier, since it's only needed to write the pinyin and pick the right character from the keyboard (while in the paper based you have to remember all strokes and write them down).
Test takers with outstanding results can win a scholarship for short-term language study in China.
Maps Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi
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 ????????.
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. 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 directly to the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) However, this statement has been rejected by both the German and French associations of Chinese language teachers, which argue that HSK level 6 is equivalent to CEFR level B2 or C1.
Oral test
The HSKK test is a separate test. However, the three HSKK levels correspond with the six HSK levels of the written test.
Former structure (before 2010)
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 (??HSK) could attain a rank of 1 through 3 (1?-3?), or fail to meet requirements and thus not receive a rank. The Elementary/Intermediate test (???HSK) covered ranks 3-8 (3?-8?), with ranks below 3 not considered. Likewise, the Advanced test (??HSK) covered ranks 9-11 (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 (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).
The test cannot be taken on Taiwan, Kinmen, or any of the territories controlled by the Republic of China. In these areas, only the TOCFL exam can be taken. Conversely, TOCFL is not available in Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
See also
- Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language - the Chinese language test used in Taiwan
- ZHC - a Chinese language test intended for native speakers in China
- List of language proficiency tests
References
External links
- Official HSK Website
- Official HSK Website at Hanban
- List of Chinese characters needed to be known to pass HSK
- List of HSK words by level on Wiktionary
- Exam Centre: Yale-China Chinese Language Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Passing the HSK Exam
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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