HSK
(汉语水平考试)
HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) was created by HANBAN in an effort to better serve Chinese language students. These tests are the result of concerted efforts by experts from various scientific fields including Chinese Language Teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational assessment.
HSK is an international standardized examination that tests and assesses Chinese proficiency. It assesses the abilities of non-native speakers of Chinese, their use of Chinese in their daily, academic and professional lives.
There are six levels of written exams, HSK (Level 1), HSK (Level 2), HSK (Level 3), HSK (Level 4), HSK (Level 5) and HSK (Level 6).
LEVEL 1 – HSK 1
Courses last 8-10 months, once a week, for 2 hours. Students learn over 180 ideograms.
Emphasis is placed on pronunciation. Basic grammatical patterns are taught. Students can communicate both in writing and orally on topics such as: self-introduction, family members, numbers, date, time, prices, hobbies, occupations, phone calls, education, weather, internet, orientation, body and health.
LEVEL 2 – HSK 2
Courses last 8-10 months, once a week, for 2 hours. Students learn over 400 ideograms.
Further grammatical phenomena are taught for the purpose of proper use of the Chinese language. Students can communicate in written and spoken language on topics such as: shopping transactions, food, colours, travelling by public transport, activities of daily life, holiday greetings.
LEVEL 3 – HSK 3
Courses last 10-12 months, once a week, for 2 hours. Students learn over 700 ideograms.
The study of Chinese grammar-syntax is completed. Students can communicate both in writing and orally on topics such as: communication in the academic environment and workplace, emails, environment, geography, science, animals, plants, culture, entertainment, description of feelings and thoughts, description of people’s appearance and personality characteristics.
LEVEL 4 – HSK 4
Courses last 1-1.5 years, once a week, for 2-2.5 hours. Students learn over 1,300 ideograms and many idioms.
They read texts with richer vocabulary. They write essays. They can communicate with ease on many topics with great clarity.
LEVEL 5 – HSK 5
Courses last 1.5-2 years, once a week, for 2-2.5 hours. Students learn over 2,500 ideograms.
They can start reading Chinese press and magazines, watch movies, and conduct comprehensive dialogues in Chinese. They can express themselves in written and spoken language with rich vocabulary and idioms.
LEVEL 6 – HSK 6
Courses last 1.5-2 years, once a week, for 2-2.5 hours. Students learn over 5,000 ideograms.
They can read with great ease articles in the Chinese press and magazines, studies, presentations in Chinese, watch movies without subtitles and conduct complete dialogues in Chinese. They have an in-depth understanding of written and spoken language and take part in complex conversations with complete confidence.
YCT
(中小学生汉语考试)
The YCT (Youth Chinese Test) exams were launched by HANBAN in an effort to encourage children and young students from foreign countries to learn Chinese and improve their level of Mandarin.
The YCT is an international standardized examination that tests and assesses the proficiency of children in the Chinese language.
There are four levels of written exams, YCT (Level 1), YCT (Level 2), YCT (Level 3) and YCT (Level 4).
BCT
(商务汉语考试)
The BCT (Business Chinese Test) is a standardized test designed to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers engaged in business activities.
It consists of oral and written examination and has 3 levels: BCT (level A), BCT (level B), BCT (oral).
HSKK
(汉语水平口语考试)
HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi) is a standardized oral exam of the Chinese language aimed at assessing proficiency in the production of oral speech.
There are 3 levels of oral exams: HSKK (basic), HSKK (intermediate) and HSKK (advanced).
Table of Chinese Language Proficiency Certificates
