HSK - Frequently Asked Questions

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1 HSK - Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) 2. Why does the NOCFL select Leiden University? 3. What level of the HSK test can I take? 4. What do I get for taking the HSK test? 5. Who can benefit from the HSK test and its certificate? 6. How long is the HSK test score and the associated certificate valid for? 7. What does the HSK test include? 8. When can I take the HSK test in Leiden and where? 9. Where do I get the material to prepare (model exams etc.)? Can I have a look at the previous exams? 10. Am I allowed to use Simplified or Traditional characters during the exam? 11. How much does it cost to take the test? 12. How can I pay the test fee and the registration fee? 13. How do I register for the HSK test at the Leiden University test center? 14. What do I need to bring on the test date? 1. What is the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) The HSK is the national standardized test of Chinese language proficiency for speaker whose first language is not Chinese. More than 100 HSK centers have been set up in 33 countries, and over 540,000 people have taken the test. Chinese proficiency certificates are issued by the State Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China, under the supervision of the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL), in accordance with HSK scores and are recognized as authentic Chinese proficiency certificates in many countries all over the world. They are a reference standard used by different types of enterprises, organizations and educational institutions in recruiting people for jobs for which Chinese language skills are necessary. Chinese proficiency certificates are also evidence of the Chinese language skills of foreign students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China. The National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language offers scholarships for studying in China to foreign candidates with excellent HSK scores. 2. Why does the NOCFL select Leiden University? The Department of Chinese Studies at Leiden University plays a leading role in the teaching and research of Chinese languages and cultures in the Netherlands. It is the goal of both NOCFL and Leiden University to provide HSK service to residents of the Netherlands.

2 3. What level of the HSK test can I take? The HSK test is divided into three levels: Beginning HSK: Appropriate for students of Chinese with a basic knowledge of Chinese who have had hours of formal education in Mandarin, have a basic vocabulary of 400-3,000 Chinese characters at the A and B levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A and B levels. Elementary and intermediate HSK: Appropriate for elementary and intermediate students of Chinese who have had 400-2,000 hours of formal education in Mandarin, have a basic vocabulary of 2,000-5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B and C levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar at the A, B and C levels. Advanced HSK: Appropriate for advanced students of Chinese who have had 3,000 hours or more of formal education in Mandarin, have a basic vocabulary of over 5,000 Chinese characters at the A, B, C and D levels, and understand the corresponding Chinese grammar. Note: The levels of A - D for the Chinese characters and corresponding grammar mentioned above refer to the classifications of Chinese characters and grammar in terms of their frequencies of use and level of difficulty based on statistical analysis. Level A and B of characters and grammar refers to the primary levels that need to be mastered while Level C and D are for the more advanced students to know.) 4. What do I get for taking the HSK test? Successful examinees will be issued a Chinese Proficiency Certificate. There are three levels of certificates for the beginners' HSK. There are six levels of certificates for the elementary and intermediate HSK. There are also three levels of certificates for the advanced HSK. Within two months of the test, the HSK sponsor will send by mail the Chinese proficiency certificates and score reports to the HSK organizers (Leiden University in this case). These organizers will forward the certificates and score reports to the examinees. The examinees may also collect their certificates and score reports from the place where they registered. 5. Who can benefit from the HSK test and its certificate? 1. Everyone who is interested in learning Chinese; 2. College students who seek to improve their Chinese proficiency level but do not need to take formal college Chinese courses; 3. Secondary school students who wish to consolidate their college applications with the prestigious official Chinese Proficiency Certificate issued by the Committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China; 4. Everyone who wishes to seek for HSK scholarships provided by the Ministry of Education of China and the NOCFL; Examinees granted scholarships will be invited to China for an academic program in the following year with all major academic and boarding fees covered; 5. Professionals from all walks of life who have studied Chinese for at least one year (approximately hours) and wish to improve their proficiency and get a Certificate of Chinese Proficiency; Professionals who wish to obtain the Certificate of Chinese Proficiency and use it toward: applying for a job on the international job market for which Chinese skills are necessary; fulfilling admission requirements when applying to different types of schools at various levels in China;

3 exemption from Chinese courses at the corresponding level at educational institutions. 6. How long is the HSK test score and the associated certificate valid for? Chinese proficiency certificates are permanently valid. As a proof of Chinese proficiency for international students applying for enrollment into different types of schools at various levels in China, HSK scores are valid for two years from the date of examination. 7. What does the HSK test include? The content of the beginners' HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension. The test lasts 135 minutes. The content of the elementary and intermediate HSK includes listening comprehension, grammar, and reading comprehension, and filling in blanks. The test lasts 145 minutes. The content of the advanced HSK includes listening comprehension, reading comprehension, comprehensive expression, composition, and an oral examination. The test lasts 155 minutes. 8. When can I take the HSK test in Leiden and where? The Leiden HSK centre hold the test once a year in May. The exact date and time will be announced on the following website in time: Test location: Leiden University, Lipsius building, Cleveringaplaats 1, Leiden. For a map go to: Note: Please arrive half an hour in advance at the test location to pick up your HSK Permit. 9. Where do I get the material to prepare (model exams etc.)? Can I have a look at the previous exams? Sample HSK exam papers and relevant tapes for listening comprehension are available at: Ming Ya Book Store Gelderskade EM, Amsterdam Tel: Note: The actual exam papers will be destroyed after each exam. 10. Am I allowed to use Simplified or Traditional characters during the exam? You don't need to write characters for the basic exam. For intermediate and advanced exams you are allowed to use both types of characters.

4 11. How much does it cost to take the test? The regular test fees include 20 to 30 for the tests at different levels plus 10 for registration. Please see the following for details. Test Level Number of persons Test Fee Registration Fee Basic Elementary -Intermediate Advanced How can I pay the test fee and the registration fee? Please transfer the appropriate test fee plus 10 registration fee for each test to the bank account: , Leiden University, Faculty of Arts. Please mention the following information: SAP (HSK), your name and date of birth. 13. How do I register for the HSK test at the Leiden University test center? Do the following and send everything through certified mail: 1. Fill in the Registration Form and print it out. Make sure that all information is correct and legible, especially your name in Chinese. You can find the form at: ( 2. Attach two 2-inch bareheaded, full-faced photos; 3. Attach a copy of a valid identification document with your photo on it (e.g., your passport, driver's license or residence permit, etc.); 4. Pay the HSK test fee and the registration fee (both being non-refundable) at the rates explained in the table above. Should you be unable to take the scheduled HSK due to an absolute emergency, you need to explain to the test center before the test takes place so that the center will make it possible for you to take the next HSK without paying the HSK fee again. You will have to pay the registration fee for the next session. Send it before 1 May 2008 to: Leiden HSK To Ms. Yinzhi Zhang (TCC) P.O. Box RA Leiden 14. What do I need to bring on the test date? Your HSK Permit (picked up on site when taking the test); Valid identification document; Proof of payment; Pencil and eraser; Objects unrelated to the test are not allowed in the test room.

5 Note: The HSK-specific information on this page is compiled from the publication by the State committee for the Chinese Proficiency Test of China, who has the complete right to interpret and explain the HSK test-related policies. Contact the HSK Headquarter at: HSK Office 15 Xueyuan Road Haidian District Beijing P. R. China Tel: ; x 2685 or 2672 Fax: or

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