HSK: The Chinese Proficiency Test

Residents of the United States might have heard of the TOEFL, the English proficiency test for foreign students. China has a similar test to determine your proficiency in Chinese, and if you want to study or work in China, you'll probably have to take it.

The official name of the test is the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, but it is usually abbreviated as the HSK. It is used for non-native speakers, such as foreign students, overseas Chinese, and members of ethnic minority groups within China. It is also referred to as the "Chinese Proficiency Test" and the "Chinese TOEFL."

The test was developed back in 1984 by the Beijing Language and Culture University, and established as a national standardized test in 1992. Today, you can register for the test online, but you still have to take the test in person.

Generally, a rank of 6 (out of 11 possible ranks) is needed if a non-native speaker wants to enroll as an undergraduate program at a Chinese university. To obtain a professional position, generally a score of 9 is the standard.

Three test formats are available: the basic, elementary/intermediate, and advanced formats. The basic test ranges from ranks 1 to 3, covering 800 characters and 1033 words. The elementary/intermediate test ranges from ranks 3 to 8, covering 1603 characters and 3052 words. The advanced level test ranges from scores 9 to 11, and covers 2865 characters and 8840 words.

The test includes listening comprehension, grammar structures, reading comprehension, and written expressions for all levels. The advanced HSK test includes two additional parts: spoken and written. The basic and elementary/intermediate tests are completely multiple choice.

The HSK test is primarily administered in Simplified Chinese, the preferred style of writing in mainland China. Those who do especially well on the test may be able to earn a scholarship for short-term language study in China.

The number, or score, is often used alone to refer to the level of proficiency. For instance, a job description may ask for applicants with "HSK5 or better."

The test can be taken both in mainland China and at foreign test sites. A complete list of test sites can be found at the HSK website. There are multiple test dates each year, although the advanced HSK test is only administered twice every year.

Complete vocabulary lists and practice tests can also be obtained online from the HSK site and from other websites.