The Chinese Proficiency Test
中国汉语水平考试 --
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK)

   Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)
2. Why does the NOCFL select Seattle University?
3. What levels can I take the HSK test for?
4. What will I receive after taking the HSK test?
5. Who can benefit from the HSK test and its certificate?
6. How long is the HSK test score and the associated certificate valid for?
7. What does the HSK test include?
8. When can I take the HSK test?
9. How do I register for the HSK test at the Seattle University test center?
10. How much does it cost to take the HSK test?
11. What do I need to bring with on the test date?
12. Is there anything else I should know?

1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)

    "The HSK is the national standardized test of Chinese language proficiency for speaker whose first language is not Chinese. More than 100 HSK centers have been set up in 27 countries, and over 540,000 people have taken the test.
    Chinese proficiency certificates are issued by the State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China in accordance with HSK scores and are recognized as authentic Chinese proficiency certificates in many countries all over the world. They are a reference standard used by different types of enterprises, organizations and educational institutions in recruiting people for jobs for which Chinese language skills are necessary.
    Chinese proficiency certificates are also evidence of the Chinese language skills of foreign students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China. The National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language offers scholarships for studying in China to foreign candidates with excellent HSK scores." (The State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China)

2. Why does the NOCFL select Seattle University?

1) Located on the northwest coast of the United States, Seattle enjoys its geographical position as one of the major hubs for political, social and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. It is the goal of both NOCFL and Seattle University to provide HSK service to residents not only in the Puget Sound area but also those living in the nearby states and regions such as Oregon, Idaho, Montana and the southwest region of Canada.

2) One of Seattle University's most important missions is to provide quality educational service to its community. That mission coincides with one of the NOCFL’s requirements for the host of the test center to be out-reaching.

3) The newly established Chinese Program at Seattle university is a clear sign of responding to the emerging tide of learning Chinese around the world and in the local community. The Chinese Program currently has an agenda to offer a series of Chinese language and culture courses from the basic to advanced levels. It also plans to launch a HSK training program to prepare students to take the HSK test.

4) Most importantly, the Chinese Program receives strong support from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the Asian Studies Program, and the International Studies Programs at Seattle University to host the HSK test center.

3. What level of the HSK test can I take?

The HSK test is divided into three levels:

• Beginning HSK: Appropriate for students of Chinese with a basic knowledge of Chinese who have had 100-800 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of 400-3,000 Chinese characters at the A and B levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A and B levels.
• Elementary and intermediate HSK: The elementary and intermediate HSK is appropriate for elementary and intermediate students of Chinese who have had 400-2,000 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of 2,000-5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B and C levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A, B and C levels.
• Advanced HSK: The advanced HSK is appropriate for advanced students of Chinese who have had 3,000 hours or more of formal education in modern Chinese, have a basic vocabulary of over 5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B, C and D levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar.
  

  (Note: The levels of A - D for the Chinese characters and corresponding grammar mentioned above refer to the classifications of Chinese characters and grammar in terms of their frequencies of use and level of difficulty based on statistical analysis. Level A and B of characters and grammar refers to the primary levels that need to be mastered while Level C and D are for the more advanced students to know.)

4. What will I receive after taking the HSK test?

Successful examinees will be issued a Chinese Proficiency Certificate for the examination they took. There are three levels of certificates for the beginners' HSK; namely, the levels of C, B and A. There are six levels of certificates for the elementary and intermediate HSK, C, B and A for the elementary HSK and C, B and A for the intermediate HSK. There are also three levels of certificates for the advanced HSK; i.e., level C, B and A. Within two months of the test, the HSK sponsor will send by mail the Chinese proficiency certificates and score reports to the HSK organizers (Seattle University in this case). These organizers will forward the certificates and score reports to the examinees. The examinees may also collect their certificates and score reports from the place where they registered.

5. Who can benefit from the HSK test and its certificate?

• Everyone who is interested in learning Chinese;
• College students who seek to improve their Chinese proficiency level but do not need to take formal college Chinese courses;
• Secondary school students (juniors and seniors especially) who wish to consolidate their college applications with the prestigious official Chinese Proficiency Certificate issued by the Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China;
• Everyone who wishes to seek for HSK scholarships provided by the Ministry of Education of China and the NOCFL; Examinees granted scholarships will be invited to China for an academic program in the following year with all major academic and boarding fees covered;
• Personnel from all walks of life who have studied Chinese for at least one year (approximately 100-800 hours) and wish to improve their proficiency and get a Certificate of Chinese Proficiency;
• Personnel who wish to obtain the Certificate of Chinese Proficiency and use it toward:
  1. applying for a job on the international job market for which Chinese skills are necessary;
  2. fulfilling admission requirements when applying to different types of schools at various levels in China;
  3. being exempt from Chinese courses at the corresponding level at educational institutions.

6. How long is the HSK test score and the associated certificate valid for?

Chinese proficiency certificates are permanently valid. As a proof of Chinese proficiency for international students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China, HSK scores are valid for two years from the date of examination.

7. What does the HSK test include?

• The content of the beginners' HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension. The test lasts 135 minutes.
• The content of the elementary and intermediate HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension, and filling in blanks. The test lasts 145 minutes.
• The content of the advanced HSK includes listening comprehension, reading comprehension, comprehensive expression, composition, and an oral examination. The test lasts 155 minutes.

8. When can I take the HSK test?

The HSK test is held several times a year abroad. But currently, the test site at Seattle University gives the test only once a year in October. Please refer to the front page for the HSK at this Website for specific date and time or contact Dr. Ming Feng at 206-296-5443 at Seattle University for specific information.

9. How much does it cost to take the test?

The test fee is $30 for the basic level; $40 for the Elementary-intermediate level and $50 for advanced level (not offered currently at the Seattle test site). There is also a $10 registration fee which is non-refundable. The HSK Test Orientation and training fees are currently inapplicable. Please see the following:

10. How do I register for the HSK test at the Seattle University test center?

Test takers can register on site at HSK test site, "Department of Modern Languages and Literature, Xavier 117, Seattle University, 901 12th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122." Or do the following and send everything to Chinese Proficiency Test Center at the same address here through certified mail:

1. Print out the Registration Form and fill it out
2. Need two 2-inch bareheaded, full-faced photos
3. Need a valid identification document with your photo on it (e.g., your passport, driver's license or residence permit, etc.)
4. Need to pay the HSK test fee and the registration fee (both being non-refundable) at the rates explained in the table above. Please prepare a money order, certified check or a personal check payable to "Seattle University." Should you be unable to take the scheduled HSK due to an absolute emergency, you need to explain to the test center before the test takes place so that the center will make it possible for you to take the next HSK without paying the HSK test fee again, though you will have to pay the registration fee.
5. The sample HSK exam papers and listening materials are currently only available for practice from this Website.

11. What do I need to bring with on the test date?

• Your HSK Permit (Picked up onsite when taking the test)
• Valid identification document
• Pencil and eraser
• Anything that are unrelated to the test are not allowed in the test room

12. Is there anything else I should know?

Check out this Website for information that has not been included here.

Note: The HSK-specific information on this page is compiled from the publication by the State committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China, who has the complete right to interpret and explain the HSK test-related policies. Contact the HSK Headquarter at:
HSK Office
15 Xueyuan Road
Haidian District, Beijing
P. R. China 100083
Fax: 86-10-62311093 or 86-10-62311037
Tel: 86-10-62317150; 86-10-62317531 x 2685 or 2672