HSK Exam/Test is Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试) literally meaning “Mandarin Chinese Level Test”.
It is organized by Hanban (汉办) the part of the Chinese education ministry also in charge of the Confucius Institutes (孔子学院).
Many students wish to take an HSK exam for a number of reasons which range from finding their current level of Chinese, achieving a personal goal, or for future career progression.
At Nihao Language education we help students prepare and arrange the HSK exam with a number of programs and packages.
There are 6 HSK levels.
HSK Level One covers basic Chinese language through to HSK Level Six which is outright fluency in all circumstances.
Let’s explain a little bit more about each HSK level and what your expectations will be when taking this HSK exam:
- HSK Level One – The ability to understand basic Chinese words and phrases
- HSK Level Two – Can use basic Chinese and apply it to complete simple tasks
- HSK Level Three– Can communicate daily for academic and professional purposes
- HSK Level Four– Converse fluently in various Chinese topics with native Chinese speakers
- HSK Level Five– Fluent speaking in Mandarin Chinese and ability to read a Chinese newspaper
- HSK Level Six– Ability to express whatever you wish either spoken in Mandarin Chinese or written in Simplified Chinese characters.
Level | Test Duration | Words |
HSK 1 | 35-min | 150 words |
HSK 2 | 50-min | 300 words |
HSK 3 | 1-hour 25-min | 600 words |
HSK 4 | 1-hour 40 min | 1200 words |
HSK 5 | 2-hour | 2500 words |
HSK 6 | 2-hour 15 min | 5000 words |
There are six HSK exams in total. The exam is either taken on a computer or in written format. There is no speaking involved.
You can actually take a Chinese speaking test, this is referred to as the HSKK Exam (note the extra K). There are three of the speaking tests in total. Feel free to contact us to talk more about HSKK Exams.
In terms of the computer and written exams, here are a few useful points about how the test works:
HSK 1 and HSK 2 are the two most basic HSK Exams, these involve pinyin and characters.
HSK 1 and HSK 2 tests your listening and reading skills.
HSK 3 through to HSK 6 are fully in Chinese characters, there is no Chinese Pinyin in these exams.
HSK 3 to HSK 6 tests your listening, reading, and writing skills.
The HSK exam is split into sections. Listening, Reading, and Writing (HSK3-6). Each section is broken down into a number of questions to test your ability in all forms of Chinese.
HSK 1 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
The HSK 1 exam tests your ability to understand the basic Mandarin Chinese words and phrases. In the exam, both Pinyin and Hanzi will be used. All the vocabulary, along with a test paper are attached in the PDF. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level One vocabulary and test here for you.
HSK 2 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
To take the HSK 2 exam you will be able to use basic Mandarin and apply this to complete simple tasks from day to day. Likewise, in the HSK 1 test, Pinyin and Hanzi are both used. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level Two vocabulary and test here for you.
HSK 3 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
For HSK 3 exam there is no pinyin used. You will have to rely totally on your Hanzi skills to pass the test. You will be able to communicate daily for academic and professional purposes. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level Three vocabulary and test here for you.
HSK 4 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
The HSK 4 exam also comes solely in Hanzi with no Pinyin. You will be able to converse fluently on a number of different topics with native Chinese speakers on a day to day basis. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level Four vocabulary and test here for you.
HSK 5 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
If you are ready to take the HSK 5 exam you will be a fluent Mandarin speaker. You will also have the ability to read a Chinese newspaper with no problems. You will know 2,500 words. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level Five vocabulary and test here for you.
HSK 6 VOCABULARY | TEST SAMPLE
The pinnacle of learning Chinese as a foreigner. HSK 6 will mean you can converse any feeling or emotion you wish whether written or spoken. Nihao Language education has prepared the Chinese Proficiency test HSK Test Level Six vocabulary and test here for you.
You can choose to take either the written test or the computer test. Generally, we recommend the computer test as you don’t have to physically write every character which can be hard for many foreigners. Using a keyboard to type the pinyin and automate the characters should be an easier way to score marks.
The Nihao Chinese Proficiency Test – the HSK Exam Preparation Kit aims to guide you through the process of passing the HSK Test.
The key to the HSK exam is learning specific vocabulary and grammar that we know will be tested.
Our Nihao HSK Course Preparation Kit will help you to create a study plan, complete the HSK mock exams, prepare for the HSK exam itself, and help you through the HSK payment.
The HSK Test Process
- Assessment –Your assigned HSK Specialist will get an understanding of your current level of Chinese and give you an HSK Level to attain, from one through to six.
- Choose an Exam and Date– Once you are both comfortable with what level exam to take its time to pick a date and get preparing
- Personalized study plan –Your plan will give you targets, strategies, and mock papers so you have all the materials you need.
- Take Mock Tests– It’s time to see how you fare with last year’s papers.
- It’s time for your test – Good luck.
