Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì

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The Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (simplified Chinese: 汉语水平考试; traditional Chinese: 漢語水平考試), abbreviated as HSK, is the world's most well-known test of Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers, such as foreign students, overseas Chinese, or members of ethnic minority groups in China. It is also known as the Chinese Proficiency Test.

The HSK was developed by Beijing Language and Culture University under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Education. It is considered China's national standard test of Chinese language, as per HSK official materials.

There are three levels: beginning level (HSK Basic), elementary to intermediate level (HSK Elementary-Intermediate), and advanced level (HSK Advanced). HSK is held regularly in China and in other countries each year and HSK certificates are issued to those who meet required scores. In addition test takers with outstanding results have the chance to win a scholarship for a short-term language study in China.

HSK is scored on a scale of 1 to 11. The elementary test covers levels 1-3, the intermediate test covers levels 3-8, and the advanced test covers levels 9-11. One of the primary and most common uses of the test is for international students who wish to enroll in a Chinese university as a full time student to demonstrate the required Chinese proficiency. Generally, a score of six is necessary to enroll in a Chinese university. Most students who take the HSK for this purpose are from Japan or Korea but also include Europeans, North Americans, Southeast Asians, Ethnic minorities in China and others.

[edit] Background

In 1990 experts for "Chinese as foreign language" started developing HSK with government support in Beijing.

The HSK certificate is valid without any limitation in The People's Republic of China and gained in importance as a certificate of qualification for applications.

The HSK test approximates the English TOEFL. The test aims to be a certificate of language proficiency for further educational and professional purposes. It is meant to be a test for non-native students and young professionals. The assessment of the examination is done centrally in China.

The HSK received a revision in September 2007, to place the emphasis on practical usage of Chinese, rather than on idiosyncrasies of the language.