Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency, assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels, namely HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI).
HSK (Level I) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level I of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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 Target
The HSK (Level I) is intended for students who have studied Chinese for a semester (half an academic year), with 2-3 class hours in each week. These students have mastered 150 commonly used words and basic grammar patterns. - Test Content
HSK (Level I) test is made up of listening comprehension and reading comprehension sections and contains a total of 40 items. All items on the test paper are shown in pinyin.
Section Number of Items Duration (Min) I. Listening Part I 5 20 About 15 Part II 5 Part III 5 Part IV 5 Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet) 3 II. Reading Part I 5 20 17 Part II 5 Part III 5 Part IV 5 Total / 40 About 35 - Test Duration
The test will last for 40 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information). - Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level I), three results will be provided including listening, reading and the total. The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).Max Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Total
200
- Sample Test Paper
Sample test paper and references for HSK Level I
The HSK (Level II) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level II of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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 Target
The HSK (Level II) is intended for students who have studied Chinese for two semesters (an academic year), with 2-3 class hours in each week. These students have mastered 300 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.
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Test Content
The HSK (Level II) test is made up of listening comprehension and reading comprehension sections and contains a total of 60 items. All the items on the test paper are shown in pinyin.
Section
Number of Items
Duration (Min)
I. Listening
Part I
10
35
About 25
Part II
10
Part III
10
Part IV
5
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
3
II. Reading
Part I
5
25
22
Part II
5
Part III
Part IV
10
Total
/
60
About 50
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Test Duration
The test will last for 40 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).
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Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level II), three results will be provided including listening, reading and the total. The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.
Max Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Total
200
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
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Sample Test Paper
The HSK (Level III) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level III of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the B1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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.
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Test Target
The HSK (Level III) is intended for students who have mastered 600 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.
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Test Content
The HSK (Level III) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing sections and contains a total of 80 items.
Section
Number of Items
Duration (Min)
I. Listening
Part I
10
40
Approximately 35
Part II
10
Part III
10
Part IV
10
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
5
II. Reading
Part I
10
30
30
Part II
10
Part III
10
III. Writing
Part I
5
10
15
Part II
5
Total
/
80
Approximately 85
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Test Duration
The test will last for 90 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).
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Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level III), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total. The test taker must score at least 180 points to be considered passing.
Max Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Writing
100
Total
300
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
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Sample Test Paper
The HSK (Level IV) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level IV of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the B2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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.
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Test Target
The HSK (Level IV) is intended for students who have studied Chinese2-4 class hours per week for four semesters (two academic years). These students have mastered 1,200 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.
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Test Content
The HSK (Level IV) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing and contains a total of 100 test items.
Section
Number of Items
Duration (Min)
I. Listening
Part I
10
45
Approximately 30
Part II
15
Part III
20
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
5
II. Reading
Part I
10
40
40
Part II
10
Part III
20
III. Writing
Part I
10
15
25
Part II
5
Total
/
100
~ 100
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Test Duration
The test will last for 105 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).
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Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level IV), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total. The test taker must score at least 180 points to be considered passing.
Full Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Writing
100
Total
300
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
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Sample Test Paper
The HSK (Level V) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level V of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the C1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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.
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Test Target
The HSK (Level V) is intended for students who have studied Chinese 2-4 class hours per week for more than two academic years. These students have mastered 2,500 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.
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Test Content
The HSK (Level V) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing sections and contains a total of 100 items.
Section
Number of Items
Duration (Min)
I. Listening
Part I
20
45
About 30
Part II
25
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
5
II. Reading
Part I
15
45
45
Part II
10
Part III
20
III. Writing
Part I
8
10
40
Part II
2
Total
/
100
About 120
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Test Duration
The test will last for 125 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).
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Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level V), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total.
Max Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Writing
100
Total
300
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
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Sample Test Paper
The HSK (Level VI) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level VI of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the C2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 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.
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Test Target
HSK (Level VI) is intended for students who have mastered 5,000 or more commonly used words.
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Test Content
The HSK (Level VI) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing sections and contains a total of 101 items.
Section
Number of Items
Duration (Min)
I. Listening
Part I
15
50
About 35
Part II
15
Part III
20
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
5
II. Reading
Part I
10
50
50
Part II
10
Part III
10
Part IV
20
III. Writing
Prose Writing
1
45
Total
/
101
~ 135
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Test Duration
The test will last for 140 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).
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Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level VI), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total.
Max Score
Your Score
Listening
100
Reading
100
Writing
100
Total
300
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
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Sample Test Paper