HSK in China

China's Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. also known as HSK or called the Chinese Proficiency Test, is the national standardised test designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University, to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers ( including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese ethnic minorities ).
According to the level of difficulty, HSK is divided into three categories:

• Beginning level (HSK Basic)
• Elementary to intermediate level ( HSK Elementary-Intermediate )
• Advanced level ( HSK Advanced)

These three categories of the test form a comprehensive testing system, ranging from beginning to advanced level.As a test of general language proficiency, HSK is not based on any particular textbook or course of study, therefore candidates may refer to any textbook in preparing for the test.

HSK and the issuing of HSK Certificates are supervised by the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the Ministry of Education.HSK is jointly administered by the Office of the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test under the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test and the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University.
The HSK certificate may serve as:

• 1.Credentials for practical HSK required for studying in Chinese universities or taking part in exams for graduate students.
• 2.Credentials for a certain level of the Chinese language or being excused from learning the corresponding Chinese courses.
• 3.Credentials for employers to judge the HSK of applicants.

The HSK is held regularly both in China and overseas annually.The test in China is held twice a year at designated universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Wuhan, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Xi'an.The test abroad is held once or twice a year. Authorised local universities or institutions of higher education hold the test in more than 20 countries including Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Canada.