| The Chinese Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, also known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test, is a standardized test designed and developed by the HSK Center at Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speaker including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese ethnic group. Supervised by the State HSK Commission under the Chinese Ministry of Education, HSK is held regularly in China and overseas every year. Certificates are issued to those who have secured the required scores. In order to better satisfy the demand for adequate Chinese language tests in foreign countries, Hanban has consulted a large number of both foreign and national experts in language teaching, linguistics, educational evaluation and psychology to assess the standard of Chinese language testing abroad. Based on their investigations and some new understandings regarding the shortcomings of Chinese language testing today, Hanban has applied the latest research methodology in foreign-language testing to develop a now HSK test, which will be launched in November 2009. The test is designed for Chinese language learners who are based overseas. The new HSK is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test, taking non-native speakers as its object, and directed at examining students’ capability in applying Chinese language in their studies, personal life and work. The new type of examination consists of two independent parts; a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprise of HSK-Level 1, HSK-Level 2, HSK-Level 3, HSK-Level 4, HSK-Level 5, and HSK-Level 6, while the oral test is comprised of HSK (Elementary), HSK (Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced). During the oral test, sound-reading devices are used.
The direct comparison between the new HSK test and Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and The Common European Framework Reference for Language, CEF is as follows:
Oral Test
The HSK certificate serves the following purposes: 1) To certify that the holder has obtained the required Chinese proficiency to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate or graduate student. 2) To certify that the holder can be exempted from taking certain Chinese courses depending on the level of certification. 3) According to the regulations set forth by British Columbia Ministry of Education, External Language Assessment credits can be granted upon obtaining certain HSK score/certification. For detailed information, please visit HERE(Page 92-97). 4) To serve as reference for hiring decisions for positions requiring a certain level of Chinese competency. The New Chinese HSK Authorities have established the HSK Winner Scholarship to financially aid outstanding test takers to study Chinese language, culture, history, and philosophy at a Chinese university. Scholarship recipients enjoy free tuition, free accommodation and free textbooks. They will also receive the same living allowance as Chinese graduate students on the Chinese Government Scholarship Program. However, international-traveling expenses remain responsibility of the award recipient. Qualifications of an HSK Winner Scholarship applicant are as follows: 1) non-Chinese citizen; Every year, Hanban will grant each test center a certain number of New HSK Winner Scholarship based on the number of test takers and their achievement. Test takers that qualify for the Scholarship will need to apply for it following procedures and regulations set out by Hanban. The test aims at measuring the examinees' general competence in Chinese, so HSK is not based on any particular text book or Chinese lauguage course. Examinees may refer to any textbook in preparation for the test. HSK test instructions are given exclusively in Chinese. A Test-Takers Guide and a brochure describing the requirements and format of the New HSK Writtn Test and/or Oral Test can only be picked in new HSK office in Beijing. We thus encourage you to download our sample tests for evaluation purpose.
The new HSK information on this page is prepared by BCIT new HSK Center with reference to new HSK materials published by the new HSK Authorities in Beijing. Adaptations have been made to suit the local situation. The ultimate right of interpretation of new HSK policies remain with the Office of People’s Republic of China new HSK State Commission at the following address:
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Tel:1-604-4127690 Fax:1-604-6887037 E-mail: James_Yang@bcit.ca