Chinese Proficiency Test (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi; HSK)

HSK
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Chinese Proficiency Test

2008 HSK Test Dates at the University of Maryland:
Sunday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 19, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Holzapfel Hall, Room 0134
http://www.hsk.org.cn/english; and go to “test info”
HSK General Introduction　　 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 with the HSK Center, BLCU.
About Applicants of HSK　　 HSK (Basic, or Beginning) applies to those learners with basic Chinese proficiencies, namely, those who have taken 100 to 800 hours of regular modern Chinese learning (including those with 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).
Functions of HSK Certificates　　（1）to certify that the holder has acquired the required Chinese Proficiency to enter a Chinese college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student.　　（2）to certify that the holder can be exempt from taking a certain Chinese language course depending on the level of certification.　　（3）as a basis for employers to evaluate the Chinese proficiency of job applicants.
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 the HSK Test Syllabus carefully, a guide for the pre-test preparation.

The Basic-“Beginning” HSK Chinese Proficiency Test
Sections
Question Number
Duration
1　Listening
1-50
Approx. 35 mins.
2　Grammar
51-90
40 minutes
3　Reading
91-140
60 minutes
There are no true breaks allowed during the test unless circumstances are urgent.
The Elementary -“Intermediate” HSK Chinese Proficiency Test
Sections
Question Number
Duration
1 Listening
1-50
About 35 minutes
2 Grammar
51-80
20 minutes
3 Reading
81-130
60 minutes
4 Cloze Test
131-170
30 minutes
There are no true breaks allowed during the test unless circumstances are urgent.
The Advanced HSK Chinese Proficiency Test
HSK (Advanced) comprises the following three independent tests: a 120-minute written test, a writing test and an oral test. There are 3 sections in the 120-minute written subtest as specified below:
Section
Question Number
Duration
1 Listening
1-40
Approx. 30 min
2 Reading
41-55
15 minutes
56-80
25 minutes
3 Cloze
81-120
40 minutes
A ten-minute break after the end of the written test will be taken before the writing and oral tests. The duration of the writing test is 30 minutes, when candidates are to finish a composition of 400 to 600 words.
The oral test will take 20 minutes, of which 10 minutes is set for the preparation and the other ten for the interview. In the first 2 minutes of the interview candidates will read aloud a passage and then answer two given questions, each taking about 3 minutes.
http://www.hsk.org.cn/english; and go to “test info”