We can help you prepare!
If you are taking the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test or considering registering for it we can help you prepare for success.
1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)?
“The HSK is the national standardized test of Chinese language proficiency for speaker whose first language is not Chinese. More than 100 HSK centers have been set up in 27 countries, and over 540,000 people have taken the test. Chinese proficiency certificates are issued by the State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China in accordance with HSK scores and are recognized as authentic Chinese proficiency certificates in many countries all over the world. They are a reference standard used by different types of enterprises, organizations and educational institutions in recruiting people for jobs for which Chinese language skills are necessary. Chinese proficiency certificates are also evidence of the Chinese language skills of foreign students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China. TheNational Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language offers scholarships for studying in China to foreign candidates with excellent HSK scores.” (The State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China) Residents living in the Northwest of U.S. who are interested in Chinese language learning and looking for opportunities to have their Chinese language knowledge and skills certified by the Chinese official HSK test may enjoy the convenience of taking the test close to home.
2. What level of the HSK test can I take?
The HSK test is divided into three levels:
• Beginning HSK: Appropriate for students of Chinese with a basic knowledge of Chinese who have had 100-800 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of 400-3,000 Chinese characters at the A and B levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A and B levels.
• Elementary and intermediate HSK: The elementary and intermediate HSK is appropriate for elementary and intermediate students of Chinese who have had 400-2,000 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of 2,000-5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B and C levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A, B and, C levels.
• Advanced HSK: The advanced HSK is appropriate for advanced students of Chinese who have had 3,000 hours or more of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of over 5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B, C and D levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar. (Note: The levels of A – D for the Chinese characters and corresponding grammar mentioned above refer to the classifications of Chinese characters and grammar in terms of their frequencies of use and level of difficulty based on statistical analysis. Level A and B of characters and grammar refers to the primary levels that need to be mastered while Level C and D are for the more advanced students to know.)
3. What will I receive after taking the HSK test?
Successful examinees will be issued a Chinese Proficiency Certificate for the examination they took. There are three levels of certificates for the beginners’HSK; namely, the levels of C, B and A. There are six levels of certificates for the elementary and intermediate HSK, C, B and A for the elementary HSK and C, B and A for the intermediate HSK. There are also three levels of certificates 3 for the advanced HSK; i.e., level C, B and A. Within two months of the test, the HSK sponsor will send by mail the Chinese proficiency certificates and score reports to the HSK organizers (Seattle University in this case). These organizers will forward the certificates and score reports to the examinees. The examinees may also collect their certificates and score reports from the place where they registered.
4. Who can benefit from the HSK test and its certificate?
- Everyone who is interested in learning Chinese;
- College students who seek to improve their Chinese proficiency level but do not need to take formal college Chinese courses;
- Secondary school students (juniors and seniors especially) who wish to consolidate their college applications with the prestigious official Chinese Proficiency Certificate issued by the Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China;
- Everyone who wishes to seek for HSK scholarships provided by the Ministry of Education of China and the NOCFL; Examinees granted scholarships will be invited to China for an academic program in the following year with all major academic and boarding fees covered;
- Personnel from all walks of life who have studied Chinese for at least one year (approximately 100-800 hours) and wish to improve their proficiency and get a Certificate of Chinese Proficiency;
- Personnel who wish to obtain the Certificate of Chinese Proficiency and use it toward Applying for a job on the international job market for which Chinese skills are necessary; Fulfilling admission requirements when applying to different types of schools at various levels in China; Being exempt from Chinese courses at the corresponding level at educational institutions.
5. How long is the HSK test score and the associated certificate valid for?
Chinese proficiency certificates are permanently valid. As a proof of Chinese proficiency for international students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China, HSK scores are valid for two years from the date of examination.
6. What does the HSK test include?
• The content of the beginners’ HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension. The test lasts 135 minutes.
• The content of the elementary and intermediate HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension, and filling in blanks. The test lasts 145 minutes.
• The content of the advanced HSK includes listening comprehension, reading comprehension, comprehensive expression, composition, and an oral examination. The test lasts 155 minutes.
7. How can I prepare for the test?
Emory University has several practice vocabulary and sample tests available on their website.
8. How much does it cost to take the test?
The test fee is $30 for the basic level; $40 for the Elementary-intermediate level and $50 for advanced level (not offered in Seattle). There is also a $10 registration fee which is non-refundable. The HSK Test Orientation and training fees are currently inapplicable.
9. When can I take the HSK test?
The HSK test is held several times a year abroad. But currently, the test site at Washington State Confucius Institute and Seattle University give the test twice a year in May and October.
For more information regarding the HSK test, or to register for the Subject Tests, please visit the following website: 首页–汉语考试服务网.