The Certificate of HSK Basic includes three levels, i. e. level A, B and C. ( Level A is the highest, equivalent to level C of the Certificate of HSK Elementary- Intermediate. ) The certificates will be awarded to those who have secured the required scores. The certificate of HSK Basic serves.

(1) as a requirement to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western medicine (Level A only).

(2) to exempt students from taking certain language courses in China.

(3) as a reference for hiring decisions for positions requiring basic competence in Chinese.

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2. HSK Basic scoring system:

(1) A subscore of HSK Basic is a scale score ranging from 0 to 100 with 50 as the mean and 20 as the standard deviation. The total score, which is the Sum of scale scores for subscotes, is a scale score ranging from 0 to 300. The scale subscores show the relative position of a candidate in a standard HSK Basic sample group. Table l, 1 gives the percentile of scale subscores. The second row indicates the percentage occupied by those whose scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK Basic reference group.

Table 1.1 Percentile of subscores of HSK Basic

(2) The type and grade of HSK Basic is based on the total score. Table 1. 2 explains the type and grade of the certificate.

Table 1.2 HSK Types and Grades of the Basic Certificate

(3)Requirements to obtain HSK Basic certificate:

corresponding level. The candidate must secure the total minimum score required for the

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3. Description of the level scoring system of HSK Basic:

HSK Basic has three score levels ranging from 1 to 3:

Level 1 Has basic competence (Low) In Chinese. Able to handle simple, elementary needs in very familiar situations. Any person having mastery of 600 Chinese words and certain rules of grammar can reach this standard which is also the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade C.

Level 2 Has basic ( Mid ) in Chinese. Able to satisfy Partially the requirements of basic communicative exchanges. Level 2 is the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade B.

Level 3 is the minimum level in Chinese proficiency for a candidate to Level 3 Has basic competence (High) in Chinese. Level be admitted to a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western medicine as well as the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade A, which is equivalent to Grade C of HSK Elementary.

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4. Components and test length of HSK Basic:

HSK Basic is a 140-item, 135-minute test. HSK Basic is divided into three subtests: listening, sentence structure and reading. All items are multiple锚choice. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted go back to an earlier section. The test is taken in this order:

                                    approximately

First  Section    Listening           50 items       35 minutes

Second Section   Sentence Structure   40 items       40 minutes

Third  Section    Reading           50 items       60 minutes

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About HSK Elementary-Intermediate:

    HSK Elementary - Intermediate is suitable for persons who have mastery of 2000-5000 Chinese words (referring to level A, B and C in the Outline of HSK Vocabulary) and certain rules of grammar (referring to level A, B and C in the Outline of HSK Grammar).

1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Elementary-Intermediate:

(1) to be a requirement to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student.

(2)to exempt the holder from taking certain language courses in China.

(3)as a basis for employers to evaluate job applicants' Chinese language proficiency.

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2. HSK Elementary-Intermediate scoring system:

(1)  Interpretation of the scores of HSK Elementary – Intermediate:

A subscore of HSK Elementary - Intermediate is a scale score with 50 as the mean and 15 as the standard deviation. The total scores is a scale score with 200 as the mean and 60 as the standard deviation. These scores show the relative position of the candidate in a standard HSK sample group. In table 2.1, it indicates the relative position of a candidate in the whole group. The column on the right gives the percentage of those whose scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK reference group. The total score is not equal to the sum of all the subscores.

Table 2. 1 Percentile of the scores of HSK Elementary-Intermediate

(2) Table 2. 2 shows the subscores of HSK Elementary-Intermediate as well as the types and grades of the certificate of HSK Elementary-Intermediate.

Table 2. 2 HSK subscore ranking standard and types, grades of Elementary and Intermediate certificate.

In table 2. 2, HSK Elementary has a bottom line below level C, which is established for the convenience of setting the standards for HSK elementary  certificate. So the bottom line cannot be used for measuring the beginning level. Thecandidate cannot gain the certificate of HSK Elementary if his score reaches the bottom line.

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3. Description of the level scoring system:

HSK has eleven score levels, amongst which levels 1-3 are the beginning level, levels 3-5 are the elementary level, levels 6-8 are the intermediate level,. levels 9-11 are the advanced level. The following is the description of levels 3 level 8.

Level 3  Has basic (low) competence in Chinese. A person reaching this level can gain the certificate of HSK Elementary Glade C. Level 3 is the minimum level in Chinese proficiency for a candidate to be admitted to a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture and Western medicine.

Level 4  Has basic (mid) competence in Chinese. Can gain the certificate of HSK Elementary Grade B.

Level 5  Has basic (high) competence in Chinese, Can gain the certificate of HSK Elementary Grade A.

Level 6  Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (low) level. Can gain the certificate of HSK Intermediate Grade C. level 6 is the minimum level required by the Ministry of Education for a candidate to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of literature, history and traditional Chinese medicine.

Level 7  Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (mid) level. Can gain the certificate of HSK Intermediate Grade B.

Level 8  Is proficient in Chinese at the intermediate (high) level. Can gain the certificate of HSK Intermediate Grade A.

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4. Requirements to obtain the certificate of HSK Elementary - Intermediate:

(1)    The candidate must secure the total scores required for the corresponding grade.

(2)    The candidate must secure three of the four required subscores for the corresponding grade.

(3)    Only one of the four subscores is allowed to be lower than the required minimum grade, but not lower than the minimum scores of the next lower grade. In such a case, the candidate can only be awarded the certificate of a lower grade.

The above 3   requirements aim at encouraging the candidate to develop various skills in Chinese uniformly. The irregular development of any particular skill will affect the obtaining of the HSK certificate.

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5. Components and test length of HSK Elementary - Intermediate:

HSK Elementary- Intermediate is a 1 70-item, 145 minutes test which is divided into four subtest: listening, sentence structure, reading and cloze. Items from 1-154 are multiple choice. Items 155-170 are a test of ~comprehension in which blank spaces at regular intervals in a text must be filled in with appropriate Chinese characters. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are a1so not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or turn to a previous section. The test is taken in this order:

First Section          Listening            50 items            35 minutes

Second Section         Sentence Structure    30 items            20 minutes

Third Section          Reading            50 items            60 minutes

Fourth Section         Cloze              40 items            30 minutes

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About HSK Advanced

HSK Advanced applies to those who have mastery of 5000-8000 Chinese words (referring to level A, B, C and D in the Outline of HSK Vocabulary) and the corresponding rules of grammar (referring to level A. B. C and D in the Outline of HSK Grammar).

1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Advanced:

(1)     to be a requirement in Chinese proficiency for a candidate to enter a university in China as a graduate student.

(2)     to exempt the holder from taking certain Chinese courses.

(3)     to certify the holder as being qualified in doing ordinary work by using Chinese as a communicative tool.

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2. HSK Advanced Scoring system:

(1)  Interpretation of the scores of HSK Advanced:

A subscore of HSK Advanced is a scale score with 50 as the mean and 15 as the standard deviation. These scores show the relative position of the candidate in a standard sample group. Table 3. 1 helps to locate the relative position of a candidate in the whole group. The second line Indicates the percentage occupied by those whose scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK reference group.

   Table 3, 1 Percentile of suhacores of HSK Advanced.

(2) Table 3. 2 shows the types and grades of the certificate of HSK Advanced

Table 3. 2 Types and grades of the certificate of HSK Advanced

In table 3. 2, HSK Advanced has a bottom line, which is established for the convenience of setting the standards for the certificate of HSK Advanced. So the bottom line is only efficacious for ranking HSK advanced levels. It cannot be used for ranging his level in HSK elementary and intermediate when the score Of a candidate reaches the bottom line.

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3. Description of the level scoring system for HSK Advanced:

HSK has eleven score levels, among which levels 9-11 ale the advanced level.

Level 9 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (low ) level. Level 9 Is the standard to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade C. This is also the requirement for a candidate to use Chinese as a communicative tool in ordinary work.

Level 10 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (mid) level. Level 10 is the standard to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade B. This is also the requirement for a candidate to use Chinese as a communicative tool in ordinary work.

Level 11 Is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (High) level. Reaching level 11 can be regarded as qualified as an Intermediate interpreter or translator. Level 11 Is the standard to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced Grade A.

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4. Requirements to obtain the certificate of HSK Advanced:

(1)   The candidate must secure the total score required for the corresponding grade of the certificate .

(2)   In the five subtests, the candidate must secure three of the four subseores for listening, reading, composition and oral test required for the corresponding grade.

(3)   Two of the five subscores may be lower than the required minimum, (for the four subtests of listening, reading, composition and oral, only one subscore may be lower than the required minimum for the corresponding grade), but not lower than the required minimum scores for the next lower grade. In such a case, the candidate can only be awarded a certificate of a lower grade.

(4)   None of The five Subscoreg is allowed to be lower than the bottom line under Grade C.

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5. Components and test length of HSK Advanced:

The total test length is 2 hours 35 minutes.

HSK Advanced consists of three separately timed subtests: 120-item written test (objective ), composition and oral test. The 120-item test is organized into three subtests: listening, reading and cloze. A variety of objective question types will be used including multiple-choice, matching, gap-filling and writing Chinese characters. The oral test takes the form of an interview. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only, and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or go back to a previous section.

The test is taken in this order and timed as follows:

1) objective item     120 items                    105 minutes

a) listening          40 items       approximately   25 minutes

b) reading

  first section       15 items                     15 minutes

  second section     25 items                     25 minutes

c) cloze            40 items                     40 minutes

After the 120-item written test, there is a 10-minute rest break. Then a composition and oral test follow.

2) composition       30 minutes

3) oral test          20 minutes

  first stage         preparation            10 minutes

  second stage       alk (recorded)         10 minutes

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Issuing of the HSK certificate and period of validity of the certificate:

1.The HSK certificate and score report will be mailed to the HSK centers or agencies by the sponsoring institution within two months after the test date. The candidates may get the certificate and score report either by collecting themselves at the test center or by mail from the test center.

2.The HSK certificate has permanent validity, whereas the period of validity of the score report, as certification for foreign students to enter a college or university in China, is two years (beginning from the date when the test session is administered).

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Test Dates

1. National Test Dates

HSK Basic is offered twice a year on fixed dates.

(1) the second Sunday in January 2:30 p. m. (Beijing time)

(2) the fourth Sunday in May 2:30 p. m. (Beijing time)

HSK Elementary-Intermediate is offered three times a year in fixed dates.

(1) the second Sunday in January 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)

(2) the fourth Sunday in May 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)

(3) July 25, 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)

HSK Advanced is administered once a year on a fixed date

(1) the second Sunday in May 9:00 a. m. (Beijing time)

2. International test dates are not fixed. They depend on the arrangement between the Office of State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test and the individual test center. Please contact test centers or agencies for further information. (Addresses of the test centers are given in the User Handbook).

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Registration for HSK

Currently HSK has been offered in 17 countries or regions around the world including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia. Britain, Vietnam, New Zealand. Macao. In China, approved test centers or agencies have been established in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Dalian, Jinan, Qingdao, Xian, Wuhan, Chengdu, Hangzhou. Nanning, Xiamen, Guilin, Kunming, Urumqi and Hong Kong (the address of these test centers is given in the User Handbook). There will be more test centers established both in China and outside China. Candidates may find the most convenient test center to register.

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Registration Procedures and Regulations:

(1) Two recent 30 x 40 mm Photos without head wear and a photo-bearing identification, such as a passport or residence permit.

(2) The appropriate fees for the test and registration (fees may differ for tests administered in different countries, so please contact the test center for details). Fees for the test and registration will not be refunded under any circumstances. When a candidate cannot take the test and makes the request to the test center in which he registered before the test date, he will be required to pay only the registration fee if he takes another test in the future.

(3) A candidate not near to a test center may register by mail and should send the following:

a) a copy of the identification paper;

b) a resume to include name, sex, nationality, date of birth and address;

c) two recent 30 x 40 photos without head wear;

d) fees for the test and registration in the form of money order.

All applications must be sent by registered mail at least one week before the registration deadline. No registration may be made by telephone. Candidates will be given admission tickets and the HSK User Handbook (free of charge). Candidates must report to the testing room according to the time and place written on the admission ticket. The admission ticket will not be mailed in case it should get lost. It will be given to the foe candidate upon arrival at the testing site.

It is important for all the candidates taking the test to be familiar with the User Handbook, which contains complete information about test taking.

The HSK Guide, sample test papers and a key, accompanied by a cassette tape recording of the listening section of the sample test are available in all the test centers or agencies. Candidates are responsible for purchasing them directly from the test centers.

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Taking HSK

a ) To be admitted to the test center, every examinee will be required to present the admission

 ticket and an official identification such as a passport or residence permit bearing a recognizable photograph.

b) Pencils, erasers and a watch ace the only items permitted in the test center.

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Advisory Services

The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK ) is a non-profit test. Any academic institution or organization, or university interested in promoting HSK is encouraged to administer HSK. Those institutions intend to conduct HSK must satisfy the following four requirements:

(1)The institution is expected to have an academic background or a kind of academic authority in academic circles.

(2)Administration of HSK intends to help, not specific group of people but people of all ages and in all walks of life.

(3)HSK is for the public good. The aim of HSK is non-profit.

(4) The institution should be able to provide the best conditions possible, e. g. comfortable room temperature, low noise level, adequate writing surfaces, spacing of seats, good 1ight and ventilation, good recording equipment and sound delivery, as well as trained and qualified examiners who are proficient in Chinese. For detailed information please contact :

---Office of the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test

p. c. 100083

Tel: (++8610) 82303978

Fax: (++8610) 82303915

---HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University

Address:

HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University

No. 15, Xueyuan Road

Haidian District

Beijing 100083

China

Tel:(++8610) 82303672，82303962

Fax: (++8610) 82303901

E-mail: HSK1@blcu.edu.cn

      HSK2@blcu.edu.cn

Homepage: http://www.hsk.org.cn

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