William and Mary Confucius Institute
What is the HSK?
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi/Chinese Proficiency Test) is a standardized test that evaluates Mandarin Chinese
proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at all levels from Beginning to Advanced.
Why take the HSK?
The HSK – the only official standardized test of Chinese proficiency in Mainland China –is widely recognized by Chinese
universities and employers as a way to evaluate applicants for admission, scholarships, or employment. HSK scores can
also exempt a test taker from language courses and qualify the taker for Confucius Institute Scholarships to study at top
Chinese universities for a year (Level 4 and above).
What is the test like?
The new HSK (revised in 2010) consists of separate writing and speaking tests. There are six levels of writing tests,
numbered levels I-VI. There are three levels of speaking tests, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. During the
speaking test, test takers’ spoken responses will be recorded for evaluation.
What level should I take?
Levels I-VI on the written test correspond to the following standards:
Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
Level VI: Test takers can easily comprehend written and spoken information in
Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.
Test takers are expected to have a minimum vocabulary of over 5,000 words.
(Corresponds to the fifth-year Chinese in some Chinese programs)
Level V: Test takers can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films
and plays, and give a full-length speech in Chinese. Expected vocabulary is 2,500
words. (W&M 400 level Chinese courses)
Level IV: Test takers can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to
communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers. Expected vocabulary is 1,200
words. (W&M 300 level Chinese courses)
Level III: Test takers can communicate in Chinese at a proficient level in their daily,
academic and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese
when travelling in China. Expected vocabulary is 600 words. (W&M 200 level Chinese
courses)
Level II: Test takers have a strong grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in
simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on
familiar and routine matters. Expected vocabulary is 300 words. (W&M Chinese 102)
Level I: Test takers can understand and use simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs
for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Expected vocabulary is 150 words. (W&M Chinese 101)
How do I sign up?
Please contact WMCI Chinese Director Lei Ma at lma@wm.edu or 757-221-1358 to register for the HSK test before the
deadline and pay the registration fee. Or you can go to www.chinesetest.cn to register before the deadline, and choose
William and Mary Confucius Institute as your testing center. To check test dates and registration deadline of HSK at
WMCI, click here. Testing fees are: Level I, $20; Level II, $30, Level II, $40, Level IV, $50, Level V, $60, Level VI, $70.