Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Centre

Test structure

The new HSK is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test, taking non-native speakers as its object, and directed at examining students’ capability in applying Chinese language in their studies, personal life and work. The new type of examination consists of two independent parts; a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprised of HSK-Level 1, HSK-Level 2, HSK- Level 3, HSK- Level 4, HSK- Level 5 and HSK- Level 6, while the oral test is comprised of HSK (Elementary), HSK (Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced). During the oral test, sound-recording devices are used.

Test grades

The comparison between the written test of new HSK, Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the Common European Framework Reference for Language (CEF) is as follows:

HSK- Level 1

Designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies;

HSK- Level 2

Designed for elementary learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion in their daily lives;

HSK- Level 3

Designed for elementary-intermediate learners who can use Chinese to serve the demands of their personal lives, studies and work, and are capable of completing most of the communicative tasks they experience during their Chinese tour;

HSK- Level 4

Designed for intermediate learners who can discuss a relatively wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating with Chinese speakers at a high standard;

HSK- Level 5

Designed for learners who can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, watch Chinese films and are capable of writing and delivering a lengthy speech in Chinese;

HSK- Level 6

Designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form.

Test principles

Following the principle of “combing testing and teaching”, the new test is designed in line with the present situation of international Chinese-language teaching and the teaching materials that are commonly available, with the aim of “promoting teaching and learning through examinations”.

The new HSK test stresses objectivity and accuracy, and also focuses on developing and testing an examinees’ ability to apply Chinese in practical, real-life situations.

The new HSK test also sets explicit study objectives, allowing examinees to more effectively improve their Chinese proficiency with defined study plans and goals.

Test functions

Taking its orientation from the old HSK test, the new HSK test is aimed primarily at adult Chinese learners. The test scores meet the various demands of different organizations or groups of people as follows:

• Offers a reference for educational institutions to recruit students, classify students, exempt students from some courses and grant credits;
• Offers a reference for employers to employ, train and promote employees;
• Offers a reference for Chinese learners to understand and improve their ability to apply Chinese;
• Offers a reference for related Chinese teaching institutions or training organizations to evaluate teaching standards and the effectiveness of different training.

Test score report

All examination candidates will receive their examination score reports issued by Hanban.

Chinese Test Summer Camp

All examination candidates of HSK Tests are eligible to apply for the Chinese Test Summer Camp. In addition, candidates who are non-Chinese citizens with outstanding scores may be awarded with the Confucius Institute Scholarships. For details, please contact June Tran.

Sample tests

Hanban

RMIT University’s HSK Centre was formally established in December 2004 through an agreement and joint commitments from the RMIT University and the then Office of the National Committee for Chinese Proficiency Test within Ministry of Education China. Ours was one of the earliest HSK Centres in the world.

In April 2008 RMIT’s HSK Centre was awarded the 2007 HSK Centre of the Year by the Office of Chinese Language Consul International, China (OCLCIC).

The Director of HSK Centre is Ms Guosheng Chen, who also heads Language Programs at RMIT University. The Centre administers the Chinese Proficiency Test on RMIT campuses and is responsible for:

• Conducting HSK Test;
• Publicizing and promoting the HSK;
• Conducting HSK preparation courses;
• Conducting HSK equivalent Test catering for individual needs;
• Distributing Test results and certificates to participants;
• Conducting survey and research on HSK and its links with Chinese language education.

HSK Committee (Victoria, Australia)

The HSK Committee (Victoria, Australia) is an academic and research initiative of RMIT University’s Chinese-Australian Studies Forum. The Committee provides advice to RMIT’s HSK Centre on HSK Test promotion, implementation and HSK scholarship distribution. It is a proactive body playing significant role in promoting and enabling sound development of Chinese language education and HSK in tertiary and secondary education in Victoria.

Established in April 2004 the HSK Committee is formed by Chinese program leaders and representatives from the five major universities, secondary schools and community language schools in Victoria. The Committee also comprises of representatives of Chinese professional associations, public and private media (SBS and 3CW) and the Chinese business community in Victoria. In addition the Education Consuls from the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Melbourne and representatives from the Victorian government organisations provides policy and academic advice and support to policy making and implementation of the HSK Committee.

Test structure

Young Learners Chinese Test (YCT) is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test, directed at examining non-native primary and secondary school students’ capability in applying Chinese language in their studies, personal lives and work. It consists of two independent parts: a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprised of YCT-Level 1, YCT -Level 2, YCT - Level 3, YCT - Level 4, while the oral test is comprised of YCT (Elementary) and YCT (Intermediate). During the oral test, sound-recording devices are used.

Test levels

The direct comparison between the new YCT test and Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages, The Common European Framework Reference for Language, CEF) and the new HSK is as follows:

YCT- Level 1

Examinees who passed YCT-Level 1 can understand and use some most frequently used Chinese words and sentences, and prepare themselves for continuing their Chinese studies;

YCT - Level 2

Examinees who passed YCT-Level 2 can understand and use some simple Chinese words and sentences to communicate;

YCT-Level 3

Examinees who passed YCT-Level 3 can use Chinese in a simple and direct way, applying it in a basic topic in their daily lives;

YCT-Level 4

Examinees who passed YCT-Level 4 can use Chinese to serve their demands in their personal lives and studies, and are able to complete most of the communicative tasks they experience during their China tour;

Test principles

Following the principle of “combing testing and teaching”, the new test is designed in line with the present situation of international Chinese-language teaching and the teaching materials that are commonly available, with the aim of “promoting teaching and learning through examinations”

Test functions

Offers a reference for Chinese learners to understand and improve their ability to apply Chinese;

Offers a reference for schools to evaluate their teaching standards;

Offers a reference for related Chinese teaching institutions or training organizations to evaluate teaching standards and the effectiveness of different training;

Offers a reference for Chinese learners who want to take HSK test.

Test score report

All examination candidates will receive their examination score reports issued by Hanban.

Chinese Test summer camp

All examination candidates of YCT Tests are eligible to apply for the Chinese Test Summer Camp. For details, please contact RMIT HSK Test Centre.

2018 YCT test dates, fees and registration

• YCT: 17 November 2018 - Melbourne City campus

Registration will be open 2 months prior the test dates.

Sample tests

Hanban

What is the HSK Scholarship?

Chinese government grants HSK scholarships to HSK examinees who have achieved excellent results of the Test. The HSK scholarships enable recipients to undertake short-term and/or long term studies of Chinese language and culture and/or programs to their choice at designated universities in China.

Conditions of Scholarship holders

HSK examinees holding excellent results of HSK test of the year.

What does the HSK Scholarship cover?

• Accommodation costs
• Tuition fee
• Learning resources
• Living allowance pending the duration of the scholarship
• Learning related culture activities in the city where the host university is located

The Australian HSK delegations to China

From 2005 in addition to tertiary students a number of secondary school students who achieved excellent HSK were awarded HSK scholarships. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 each year an Australian HSK Scholarship Delegation formed by secondary HSK recipients experienced excellent living and learning opportunities in host universities in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

澳大利亚

墨尔本皇家理工大学

汉语水平考试中心

汉语水平考试委员会

The Chinese Proficiency Tests Center (here after as CPT Center) 汉语水平考试中心at RMIT University was formally established in April 2004 under an agreement with the Office of Chinese Language Consul International, China. The establishment of CPT Committee is to facilitate broad collaborations between CPT Center and Chinese language providers in Victoria to enhance Chinese language teaching and in particular, Chinese Proficiency Tests in Victoria.

The mission of the Committee

The CPT Committee is committed to high quality language and culture education in Victoria and Australia, using Chinese Proficiency Tests to enhance and complement Chinese language teaching, learning and research. RMIT University’s CPT Centre conducts two categories of Tests:

汉语水平考试 HSK (mostly for adults)

少儿考试YCT (for school students)

The purpose and core responsibilities of the Committee

The Committee works on promoting and managing HSK and YCT tests, policy development, information sharing and works with the Office of Chinese Language Teaching Consul International, China as partners. It collaborates with Victorian Chinese providers and Chinese professional organisations to promote the Chinese language and culture in Victoria and Australia. The Committee also supports broader Chinese language and culture education.

The major responsibilities of RMIT’s CPT Centre with the guidance of CPT Committee are:

• Promoting the HSK and YCT Tests: advertising through media, universities, schools and targeted student community;
• Preparing the HSK and YCT Tests including providing preparation courses for public interest;
• Organizing and conducting the Test;
• Establishing HSK and YCT scholarship distribution policy and implementation;
• Organising and conducing HSK and YCT scholarship study tours to China
• Organising celebrations and report events upon completion of scholarship study tours to China to maximise the outcomes of the success of the tours.

Research on HSK test:

• market demand analysis and rational;
• assessment and evaluation of the Test content;
• value of the Test;
• participant feedback and evaluation;
• academic and social significance of the Test;
• issues of the Test (academic and practical test);
• improvement of the Test,
• Chinese governmental regulation/legislation on the Test

The formation of the Committee and Committee Members

The CPTC is formed by leaders and representatives from various sectors including:

• universities
• secondary schools
• Chinese ethnic schools
• government organisations (local and international)
• media