Official Exams
Chinese
Official Exams and Certification - Chinese Mandarin
Officially recognised by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the HSK national diploma attests various levels of competence and command of Mandarin Chinese.
The general HSK is made up of a series of three exams:
Elementary / Primary-secondary / Advanced
A “certificate of Chinese language level” is awarded based on your performance in the exam. The grades available depend on the type of exam chosen and the mark obtained:
- The elementary exam awards certificate class 1 (Elementary) and 2 (Elementary with Honors) >>> details
- The primary-secondary exam awards a certificate class 3 (Intermediate) and 4 (Intermediate with Honors) >>> details
- The advanced exam awards a certificate class 5 (Advanced) and 6 (Advanced with Honors) >>> details
Elementary / Primary-secondary / Advanced
A “certificate of Chinese language level” is awarded based on your performance in the exam. The grades available depend on the type of exam chosen and the mark obtained:
- The elementary exam awards certificate class 1 (Elementary) and 2 (Elementary with Honors) >>> details
- The primary-secondary exam awards a certificate class 3 (Intermediate) and 4 (Intermediate with Honors) >>> details
- The advanced exam awards a certificate class 5 (Advanced) and 6 (Advanced with Honors) >>> details
Who is the HSK for?
The HSK is for those studying Mandarin who wish to measure their progress in an objective manner. Nowadays, this certificate is essential for foreigners wanting to live, study or work in China.
The HSK is for those studying Mandarin who wish to measure their progress in an objective manner. Nowadays, this certificate is essential for foreigners wanting to live, study or work in China.
Level required?
To pass the HSK Elementary, the first of the Chinese mandarin exams, students must master a minimum of 400 words.
Level required for other exams? >>> details
To pass the HSK Elementary, the first of the Chinese mandarin exams, students must master a minimum of 400 words.
Level required for other exams? >>> details
What does the HSK involve?
The exams
HSK Elementary
This exam lasts around 135 minutes and has a total of 140 questions, divided as follows:
50 listening comprehension questions (35 min.)
40 grammar questions (40 min.)
60 reading comprehension (60 min.)
marks and levels >>> details
HSK Primary and secondary
This exam lasts around 145 minutes and is made up of 170 questions divided as follows:
50 listening comprehension questions (35 min.)
30 grammar questions (20 min.)
50 reading comprehension questions (60 min.)
40 filling the blanks (30 min.)
marks and levels >>> details
HSK advanced
This exam includes two parts:
The first lasts about 105 minutes and contains a total of 120 questions, divided as follows:
40 listening comprehension questions (25 min.)
40 reading comprehension questions (40 min.)
40 general expression questions (40 min.)
The second part lasts about 155 minutes and includes:
- a written composition [400 to 600 characters] (30 min.)
- an oral test of 10 minutes (recorded)
marks and levels >>> details
The exams
HSK Elementary
This exam lasts around 135 minutes and has a total of 140 questions, divided as follows:
50 listening comprehension questions (35 min.)
40 grammar questions (40 min.)
60 reading comprehension (60 min.)
marks and levels >>> details
HSK Primary and secondary
This exam lasts around 145 minutes and is made up of 170 questions divided as follows:
50 listening comprehension questions (35 min.)
30 grammar questions (20 min.)
50 reading comprehension questions (60 min.)
40 filling the blanks (30 min.)
marks and levels >>> details
HSK advanced
This exam includes two parts:
The first lasts about 105 minutes and contains a total of 120 questions, divided as follows:
40 listening comprehension questions (25 min.)
40 reading comprehension questions (40 min.)
40 general expression questions (40 min.)
The second part lasts about 155 minutes and includes:
- a written composition [400 to 600 characters] (30 min.)
- an oral test of 10 minutes (recorded)
marks and levels >>> details