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The new HSK test was launched by Hanban inan effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result ofcoordinated efforts by domestic and foreign experts from different disciplinesincluding Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educationalmeasurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK whiletaking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training byconducting surveys and making use of the latest findings in internationallanguage testing.

The new HSK is an internationalstandardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. Itassesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese languagein their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels,namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK(level V), and HSK (level VI).

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The new HSK test was launched by Hanban inan effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result ofcoordinated efforts by domestic and foreign experts from different disciplinesincluding Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educationalmeasurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK whiletaking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training byconducting surveys and making use of the latest findings in internationallanguage testing.

I. Test Structure

The new HSK is an internationalstandardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. Itassesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese languagein their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels,namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK(level V), and HSK (level VI).

II. Test Levels

The levels of the new HSK correspond to thelevels of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of OtherLanguages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages(CEF) as follows:

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK(Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meetbasic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chineselanguage studies.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK(Level II) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate insimple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of informationon familiar and routine matters.

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 Chinesewhen travelling in China.

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.

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.

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK(Level VI) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese andcan effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.

III. Test Principles

The new HSK follows the principle of“test-teaching correlation”, bases the design of the test on the current trendsin international Chinese language training, and is closely related totextbooks. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and“promote learning through testing”.

The new HSK emphasizes the objectivity andaccuracy of the evaluation and stresses the learners’ actual Chinese languageabilities.

The new HSK sets clear test objectives toallow the test takers to be able to improve their Chinese language abilities ina systematic and efficient way.

IV. Testing Purposes

The new HSK retains the former HSK’sorientation as a general (or universal) Chinese language abilities test foradult learners. The results of the test can serve several purposes:

1. A reference for an educationalinstitution’s decision-making concerning recruiting students, assigningstudents to different classes, allowing students to skip certain courses andgranting students academic credits.

2. A reference for employers’decision-making concerning the recruitment, training and promotion of testtakers.

3. A method for Chinese language learnersto assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.

4. A method for Chinese language traininginstitutions to evaluate training results.

V. Results Certificate

Test takers will receive the results forthe new HSK issued by Hanban within one month after the test.