1. What is HSK?

The Chinese Proficiency Test, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì(HSK) is the official standardized test for Chinese language proficiency. HSK assesses Chinese learners' abilities to use Chinese as a second language in their daily, academic, and professional lives through a standardized examination and evaluation with a uniform grading and scoring system.

Development of the HSK test began in 1984 at Beijing Language and Culture University, and was officially made a national standardized test in 1992. The 6 levels of HSK exams that we currently use have been in use since 2009.

2. HSK levels

Before 2009, the Chinese Proficiency Test was divided into 3 stages and 11 levels (very difficult for beginners). After 2009, it was changed to the 6 levels that we are now very familiar with. Starting from 2022, HSK levels 7-9 will be added on top of HSK1-6.

3. What are HSK test scores for?

HSK scores have become a requirement to prove Chinese language proficiency for international students to apply for admission, graduation, and scholarship in China. For foreigners looking to work in China, a high HSK score can help demonstrate that proficiency to employers and government officials, and better the chances of obtaining a working visa. The uses of HSK scores can be found at：

 Course exemptions and course credits related to Chinese language

 Applying for new jobs and get promotions in Chinese related industries

 International students applying for admission, graduation, and scholarship evaluation in China

 Gaining points on visa applications for foreigners applying to work in China

 Chinese language learners' self-evaluation

4. How to take HSK test?

Generally speaking, HSK exams are held every month except for the month of Chinese New Year. Exam registration cannot be conducted across borders. You need to take the exam at the local exam center where you reside (even for online exams, registration at the local exam center is required).

The HSK exam has approximately 568 test centers in 110 countries around the world. I think usually you can find test centers in your local or nearby cities.

You can check the location of the test center and the specific time of the exam on the official HSK exam website.

https://www.chinesetest.cn

There are three options for exams based on different test centers: paper-based exams, computer-based exams, and online exams. Both paper-based and computer-based exams require taking the exam at the test center, with the difference being one answers with paper and pen, while the other answers with a computer. Online exams are only available in some regions and have specific requirements for device hardware, such as they need for 2 cameras, etc. You need to check the specific instructions of the local test centers. 

5. Which HSK level should I register for? How can I know my current Chinese level?

The HSK official website provides mock exam function, where you can assess your current level by taking the mock exam.

HSK exam registration can start from any level. 

If you want to measure your Chinese proficiency, you can take the corresponding level of exam after completing a period of study.

If you are taking the exam for the purpose of studying or working in China, it is recommended to start with HSK3 and take HSK3-6 levels according to your own level.

Generally speaking, it requires HSK 4 or above to apply for Chinese government/university scholarships.

If you would like to be an expert of Chinese language, a graduate student majoring in Chinese language related fields, professionals involved in academic research, economic, cultural, and technological exchanges conducted in Chinese, you can take the HSK7-9. 

That is to say, if you do not want to become an expert in Chinese language, you do not need to take the HSK7-9 exam temporarily.

6. What's on HSK test?

 The HSK1-6, except for the writing and speaking parts, consists entirely of objective questions with multiple-choice or true/false. 

The HSK7-9 exam, starts with listening, each part has subjective questions.

7. How to prepare for HSK?

I think there are three steps to preparing for the HSK test:

1) Set goals: Understand your current Chinese level and set a learning goal.

2) Improve Chinese: Start learning Chinese according to the set goals and improve your Chinese proficiency to meet the requirements of the corresponding HSK level.

3) Exam preparation: Start doing some mock exams about 1-2 months before the exam date to get familiar with the exam format.

Some students may ask, are there any tips for preparing for the HSK exam? Can any teacher tell me how to get high scores in the test?

I think it's meaningless to do so. The purpose of learning Chinese should be use the language in learning, work, and life. HSK test helps you measure your Chinese level, but the test itself should not be the purpose of learning Chinese. 

So, I think the most important steps are steps 1 and 2, which are setting a learning goal for yourself and start learning Chinese. When your Chinese level meets the requirements of this HSK a certain level, the test itself is not a difficult thing.

8. How can eBLCU help you prepare for HSK？

I mentioned that there are three steps to preparing for HSK test. What can we help you do in these three steps of preparing for the test?

1) You of course need to set your own goal, but if you are not sure whether this goal you set is reasonable, you can choose to consult a professional Chinese teacher.

For example, generally speaking, if you are a speaker of a language such as English, Russian or Latin, it may take you slightly longer to learn Chinese than it would for a speaker of an Asian language such as Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese. This is due to the large language difference and the difference in scripts.

We offer a free 20-minute trial lesson for every learner, and you can book a time on our website to talk to our teachers to determine your level and learning goals.

2）Improving your Chinese language skills needs to be achieved only by studying hard of yourself. You can choose to learn on your own, and there are very many free resources, courses, and apps online nowadays that can help you. However, I suggest that if you can, take a systematic course with a professional Chinese teacher, and if you can't take a course for now, you can choose to study with video materials and textbooks instead of just using an app to learn vocabulary. HSK tests comprehensive language ability, not just vocabulary or Chinese characters. And your ability to improve Chinese by only knowing the words and not knowing how to express them will be very limited. I have seen some students who told me that they have learned hundreds of vocabulary words on their own using apps, but they can't actually speak a complete sentence, or the sentences they speak are misordered and not understandable.

Of course, there are many apps that help you memorize vocabulary words, Chinese character, etc. They are great learning tools while you're taking a right Chinese course.

We have courses designed according to the HSK standards that can help you improve your Chinese language skills to meet the requirements of the HSK test. At the same time, if you are not preparing for the test, you can still take this course, as it is designed to improve your overall Chinese proficiency, not to prepare for the exam. The course consists of three parts: pre-class self-study materials, online live sections, and post-class homework, which combines self-study and teacher's guidance to help you learn scientifically and improve your Chinese proficiency step by step. You can choose to join a group class or a 1-to-1 class and study the language part-time.

3）If you have done the first two points, the final HSK test preparation will be very easy. To prepare for the written test, you can choose to do mock exams online to familiarize yourself with the test pattern. There are also many HSK mock test books that you can buy and do on your own. If you are preparing for the oral exam, you can also take mock exams and record yourself by your smart phone to check if you meet the requirements of the exam.

If you need a teacher to help you prepare for the exam, we also have 1-on-1 pre-test preparation course that can help you prepare according to your specific situation. Especially for the speaking test, there are many students who do not have the confidence, and a short term speaking test preparation course with a teacher can help you prepare better for the oral exam.

However, I want to emphasize again that the test preparation course is not a must. If you already have the Chinese level, the final test preparation is just to familiarize yourself with the test pattern. Our pre-test preparation course cannot help you improve your Chinese a lot in a short period of time. 

9. FAQs

1) Can I skip test levels or do I have to start at HSK 1?

You can start the test at any level.

2) Do I need to write Chinese characters in the exam?

I just introduced three exam formats. If you choose the paper-based test, you need to write Chinese characters in the writing part. If it is a computer-based or online exam, you can use the computer Pinyin input method to type.

HSK1-2 level test papers have pinyin, even if you don't know Chinese characters, you can still take those 2 levels. From HSK3, all test papers are in Chinese characters, so you need to have at least the ability to recognize and read Chinese characters, and be able to type using pinyin input method.

The characteristics of the Chinese language make it impossible to completely separate Chinese characters from the language. With the same pronunciation, different Chinese characters can have completely different meanings. If you want to learn Chinese well, it is recommended that you start learning Chinese characters from the beginning and not wait until HSK3. After you start learning, you will find that Chinese characters can help you better remember the meanings of new words, understand the rules of Chinese expression and the culture behind it.

I have met some students who used the wrong learning methods in the beginning, only learning pinyin without learning Chinese characters. They may seem easier to get started with at the beginning, but they will find it difficult to improve after reaching the beginner level, and those who are stuck around HSK2 may find it difficult to make progress. 

Of course, if your goal is only to travel to China in the short term, being able to speak a few Chinese sentences is enough, and there is no need to spend a lot of time learning Chinese characters. Just learn some common expressions is enough.

3) I signed up for your HSK course, will I get an HSK certificate after I finish?

You need to take HSK test in your local test center to get a HSK certificate. But if you finish our course and pass the final exam, you can get a course certificate from BLCU.

4) Can you help me register for the HSK test?

As we have explained before, the HSK test needs to be registered at your local test center. You need to contact the test center to register yourself. If you need to find information about test centers, you can go to the official HSK website.

5) Are the levels of your courses the same as the HSK levels?

Our course levels are based on a 12-week study period. The higher the HSK level, the longer the study time required. Please check this picture for the corresponding HSK levels.

6) I don't need to take the HSK test, but just want to improve my Chinese, can I take the HSK course?

Yes, of course you can. Our courses are designed to improve students' Chinese language skills, not just to prepare for the exam.

7) What level do I need in order to communicate with Chinese people?

Actually, you don't have to speak Chinese to live in China. I've seen many foreigners who have been living in China for several years and don't know Chinese. 

However, if you want to communicate with Chinese people in daily life, you need HSK3 level, if you want to communicate with Chinese people fluently and understand some Chinese movies and TV programs, you need HSK5 level or above.

8) I heard that there is a new HSK 7-9 now, how is it different from the previous HSK test?

HSK 7-9 is for Chinese language experts and people who do research in Chinese, and you don't need to take this test for general life and work use.