http://www.hsk.org.cn/english/Default.aspx
China's Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, known as HSK or the Chinese Proficiency Test is a standardized test at the state level designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers (foreigners, overseas Chinese and students of Chinese national minorities). HSK consists of the basic Chinese proficiency test (HSK Basic), the elementary and intermediate Chinese proficiency test (HSK Elementary-Intermediate) and the advanced Chinese proficiency test (HSK Advanced). HSK is held regularly in China and other countries each year. Certificates of HSK will be issued to those who have secured the required scores.
The Chinese Ministry of Education has established China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) (CNCCPT). The Committee is the supervisor of HSK and the issuer of the Chinese proficiency certificates. CNCCPT has an office called Office of China National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), which takes care of the HSK affairs together with the HSK Center of BLCU.
1. About Applicants of HSK
HSK (Basic) applies to those learners with the basic Chinese proficiencies, namely, those who have taken 100 to 800 hours of regular modern Chinese learning (including those with the equivalent learning experiences). HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) is for those who are at the elementary and intermediate level in Chinese proficiency, i.e. those who have taken 400-2000 regular hours of modern Chinese courses (including those whose proficiency in Chinese is similar to that standard). The HSK (Advanced) is designed to measure the Chinese proficiency of those who are proficient in Chinese, i.e. who have taken 3000 regular hours or more modern Chinese learning (including those whose proficiency in Chinese is similar to that standard).
2. The functions of HSK Certificates
（1）to certify that the holder has acquired the required Chinese Proficiency to enter a college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student.
（2）to certify that the holder can be exempt from taking the Chinese language course depending on the level of certification.
（3）as a basis for the employers to evaluate the Chinese proficiency of the job applicants.
3. Test Dates and Venues
HSK is held regularly in Mainland China. The following is the time schedule of 2008 HSK tests.
(1) HSK (Basic): 2 tests
The 1st test
Time: April
The 2nd test
Time: November
(2) HSK (Elementary-Intermediate): 3 tests
The 1st test
Time: April
The 2nd test
Time: June
The 3rd test
Time: November
(3) HSK (Advanced): 2 tests
The 1st test
Time: April
The 2nd test
Time: October
Click here for details about the time schedule of tests in Mainland China
Click here for details about test centers in Mainland China
HSK tests will be arranged in light of the actual local circumstances in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other countries. For details about the time schedule please enquire at the local test center. Click here for details about test centers in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other countries.
4. Registration Procedures
（1）Candidates shall bring two recent 30 x 40 mm photos without headwear when registering and present a photo-bearing identification, such as a passport or residence permit.
（2）Candidates have to pay the fees for the test and registration. In China, it is ￥200 RMB for HSK Basic (including ￥70 RMB for the registration fee); ￥250 RMB for HSK Elementary-Intermediate (including ￥70 RMB for the registration fee) and ￥400 RMB for HSK Advanced (including ￥70 RMB for the registration fee) (as to fees to be paid in other countries or by students of ethnic minorities, please contact local test centers). Fees for the test and registration are non-refundable. And postage is included in the fees. When a candidate cannot take the test in time due to some insurmountable reasons and notifies in advance the test center at which he registered before the test date, with the approval of the center (with the signature and stamp of the center), one test opportunity will be retained for the candidate and he or she will only pay the registration fee if he takes the next test in the future.
（3）Candidates living where there are no local test centers may register by mail. Applications must be sent to the test center by registered mail at least one week before the final registration deadline and enclose a photocopy of an official piece of identification, a resume (including the Chinese and English names, sex, nationality, date of birth), a detailed mail address and two recent 30 x 40 photos without head wear. Meanwhile fees for the test and registration shall be remitted to the registration site by post. No telephone registration will be accepted. And the admission ticket will be given to the candidate in person upon his or her arrival at the testing site.
（4）Candidates will be given the admission ticket and the HSK User Handbook. Candidates shall take the exam according to the time and place specified on the admission ticket.
5. Preparation for HSK
As a standardized 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. Nevertheless, it is important that all candidates read HSK Test Syllabus carefully, a guide for the pre-test preparation. It contains an introduction to HSK, a sample HSK test paper and the key, HSK glossary and a CD of the sample listening questions.
6. Period of Validity for HSK Certificates
The HSK certificate has a permanent validity, whereas the accompanying test report will only be valid for two years (beginning from the date of the test session) as the certification for foreign students to enter a college or university in China.
Information and Services
Information and services are available at the HSK Center of BLCU.
Address: No.15, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Mail Address: the HSK Center, Beijing Language and Culture University
Postcode: 100083
Telephone: (010) 82303672, 82303962
Fax: (008610) 82303962
E-mail: HSK-service@blcu.edu.cn
Homepage: http://www.hsk.org.cn
http://www.blcu.edu.cn
Persons of contact: Chai Xingsan and Wu Xiaoyu (Office of Test Affairs)
