HSK introduction

HSK introduction

The HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result of coordinated efforts by experts from different disciplines including Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational measurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training by conducting surveys and making use of the latest findings in international language testing.

I. 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. The new HSK consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. There are six levels of writing tests, namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI). There are three levels of speaking tests, namely the HSK (beginner level), HSK (intermediate level), and HSK (advanced level). During the speaking test, test takers’ speeches will be recorded.

II. Test Levels

The different levels of the new HSK are similar to some of the levels in theChinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS)and theCommon European Framework of Reference (CEF); details are as follows:

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese 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 II) 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 III) 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 IV) 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 V) 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 VI) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.

III. 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 the test takers to be able to improve their Chinese language abilities in a systematic and efficient way.

IV. 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:

1. A reference for an educational institution’s decision-making concerning recruiting students, assigning students to different classes, allowing students to skip certain courses and giving students academic credits.

2. A reference for employers’ decision-making concerning the recruitment, training and promotion of test takers.

3. A method for Chinese language learners to assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.

4. A method for Chinese language training institutions to evaluate training results.

Test Regulation

I. Registration and payment for the test

II. Requirements for test takers’ photo

Requirements for the photo are applicable mainly to HSK Levels 4-6, HSKK, BCT and YCT oral test, and the test score report for other levels does not carry a photo.

Preparation for the photo and its usage should meet the following requirements:

Format requirements for the photo:

- Test takers’ recent photo for identification (in a standard, two-inch form), and photos of daily life or landscape will not be accepted;

- No hat, scarf, headband or sunglasses are allowed to appear (except for special religious reasons);

- Both black-and-white and color photos are acceptable, and a white background is preferred.

To submit the photo, test takers may either log into the Chinese testing service website and upload the electronic photo in line with guidance from the website or bring the photo to teachers at the test center responsible for the registration and ask them to assist with the uploading.

III. Test admission ticket

Information on the test admission ticket includes test takers’ name, nationality, gender, type and number of the identity certificate, test subject, test time, test center, test location and test rules, etc.

After receiving the test admission ticket, test takers shall carefully check the accuracy of the information on it item by item. Such information as test takers’ name, gender, date of birth and identification number must be identical with that on his/her valid identity certificate; otherwise he/she will not be allowed to take the test.

If any incorrect information is found, please contact the test center to make appropriate modification; otherwise test takers’ test results will become invalid.

The test admission ticket is an important proof that test takers has got the admission to the test, and those who do not carry a test admission ticket will not be admitted to the test room to take the test. After the test, test takers shall still keep their test admission ticket, which will be required before the receipt of the score report. To view the test results online or enjoying such value-added service as applying for an additional score report, test takers also need to provide the number of his/her test admission ticket no..

IV. How to change the test date

After the registration and payment, test takers can apply to change the test date within the stipulated time, but cannot cancel the registered test; neither can the registered test center nor test level be changed.

To change the test date, test takers need to log into the Chinese testing service website (www.chinesetest.cn) and enter the Personal Center to make an application. The new test date shall be one at the same level and test center in the same year.

Deadline and charges for changing the test date are as follows:

• Before the registration deadline (including the deadline): test takers can change the test date for free.

• Between the registration deadline and 10 days before the test (including the 10th day): test takers need to pay an amount equal to 30% of the test fee before they can apply for the change during this period.

• Within 10 days before the test (excluding the 10th day): No application for changes of this kind will be accepted.

For test takers to take the internet-based test, the valid period for changing the test date for free is 27 days before the test, and other relevant rules are the same with the paper-based test.

V. Test regulations

1. Articles Carried for the test

On the test date, test takers must bring the following articles to the test room:

- Test admission ticket;

- Identity certificate (copies are invalid) which is authentic, valid, identical with the registration information and carries a photo;

- 2B pencils (two or more) and eraser, in the event that it is a paper-based test.

Other personal articles of test takers cannot be carried with them during the test but shall be placed in the depository or place designated by the test examiner. Do not bring any valuables to the test room; otherwise no compensation will be made for the loss.

Test takers who are unable to present the valid identity certificate and test admission ticket will not be permitted to take the test, nor will the test fee be refunded.

2. Time of admission

Test takers shall arrive at the exam room half an hour before the start of the test, so as to avoid being late. After the admission, no test takers could allowed to leave the test room until the end of the Listening part.

Paper-based test: Before the start of the Listening part, late test takers can enter the test room and take the test; after the Listening part has started, late test takers have to wait till its end before entering the test room to work on the Reading part, with no extra time added to make up for the delay; after the start of the Reading part, late test takers are not allowed to enter the test room to take the test.

Oral test: Before the start of the recording, late test takers can enter the test room and take the test; but after the recording has started, late test takers are not allowed to enter the test room to take the test.

3. Test Methods

(1) Test takers shall take the test in line with the arrangements and instructions of the examiner(s).

(2) All the answers shall be provided by filling in the answer sheet with a 2B pencil.

(3) Answering of the oral test shall be in the form of live recording, and test takers shall complete the test with their own recording device separately in line with the instructions and arrangements by the examiner(s).

(4) The internet-based test is a paperless exam, which requires test takers to answer via mouse and keyboard, and the test duration is subject to automatic timing.

4. Test regulations

(1) Test takers must sit in the assigned seats and have no right to choose seats.

(2) Test takers must follow instructions of the examiner(s), observe the test rules, and independently complete various parts of the test.

(3) No break will be set during the test. If, due to any special reason, test takers need to leave the exam room halfway, he/she shall first obtain the consent of the examiner(s) and then submit his/her test admission certificate and identity certificate to the examiner(s) before leaving the exam room. After his/her return, the examiner(s) will give back the test admission ticket and identity certificate.

(4) In the oral test, no test takers shall temporarily leave the room. If any test takers has to leave, then the departure means to withdraw from the test.

5. Handling of emergencies

(1) In case of any unfair treatment of test takers due to mismanagement of the test room, such as insufficient test time and damage to the paper or test equipment, which makes test takers unable to complete the test, the Chinese Testing International will make timely arrangements for a new, free test for him/her, but it will not assume any indirect loss and the test site cannot be changed.

(2) In case of any force majeure, such as a natural disaster or accident, which makes test takers unable to complete the test, the Chinese Testing International will make timely arrangements for a new, free test for him/her or fully refund the test fee to him/her, but it will not assume any indirect loss

.6. Absence from the test

If test takers fail to take the test on the test date due to certain reason that is not attributable to the test organizer, no test fee will be refunded.

7. Violations and penalties

Test takers shall not open the paper in advance or write down the answer out of the right answering area, neither shall they tear, replace, copy the paper, nor take the paper or the answer sheet outside the test room. In case of any of such acts as cheat, substitution of the test taker, plagiarism, smuggled material, or disobedience to instructions of the examiner(s), the test results will be canceled.

VI. Test scores

1.Score enquiry

One month after taking the test, test takers can log into the Chinese testing service website (www.chinesetest.cn) and enter his/her test admission ticket number as well as name to view the test scores.

2. Score report

Test taker registered in mainland China, please apply for delivery service of analysis report and score report online which could be sent to any designated address after the score issues(Apply for the Score Reports). As for the other countries and regions, the score report will be delivered to the test center within 1-2 months after the testing date, and test taker can go there for collecting by presenting his/her test admission ticket and valid identification documents.

3. Validity period of score report

The test result is a long term available, but the score report to be used for the application to Chinese universities and colleges is valid within two years (from the test date).

VII. Additional services concerning score report

1. Delivery of an additional score report

For the purpose of helping test takers present their score reports of the Chinese test as a proof of their Chinese proficiency for college application, graduation, recruitment, promotion, etc., it’s available for test takers to apply for the delivery of an additional score reports via the Chinese testing service website (www.chinesetest.cn). For details of the application forms and fees, please visit the Chinese testing service website (www.chinesetest.cn).

2. Modification of the score report

The HSK score report serves as an important proof of test takers’ Chinese proficiency. In view that some test takers may fail to carefully check the information as required during their registration online or at the test center or fail to carefully check the registration confirmation or the test admission ticket after the completion of the test registration, which may lead to discrepancy between the personal information on the score report and the real information, the Chinese testing service website (www.chinesetest.cn), in order to ensure the normal use of the report, allows test takers to apply for the modification of the score report.

Requirements for test takers’ application to modify the score report:

(1) An application to modify the information is limited to the following situations:

• Misspelling of the name

• Error of the nationality information

• Error of the gender information

(2) Test takers must provide the relevant supporting certificates, such as his/her passport and identity card.

(3) The application shall be filed within the validity period of the test results report (i.e., within two years after the end of the test).