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HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test)
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi – Chinese Proficiency Test) assesses your ability to use Chinese in your daily life, and in academic and professional situations.
The HSK has six levels, ranging from beginner (level 1) to advanced (level 6), which test your reading, listening, and writing.
We also offer the HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi – Chinese Speaking Proficiency Test) on selected dates. The test takes place on a computer and is assessed from the recording.
Important information
HSK and HSKK exam dates
Saturday 18 March 2023 (HSK and HSKK)
Levels available: All levels
Location: The University of Leeds
Registration for this exam date has now closed
Sunday 11 June 2023 (HSK and HSKK)
Levels available: All levels
Location: The University of Leeds
Registration deadline: 15 May 2023
Saturday 18 November 2023 (HSK and HSKK)
Levels available: All levels
Location: The University of Leeds
Registration deadline: 20 October 2023
HSK exam fees
HSK
Level 1 – £10
Level 2 – £20
Level 3 – £30
Level 4 – £40
Level 5 – £50
Level 6 – £60
HSKK
HSKK Primary – £15
HSKK Intermediate – £25
HSKK Advanced – £35
Pay your exam fee via the University of Leeds online store. If you are taking more than one exam, you will need to register separately for each one.
Making the payment does not complete the registration process. See ‘How to register for the exam’ below.
Please note that the exam fee is non-refundable. Please ensure that you have entered the correct fee for the level you are taking before beginning the booking process.
Certificate fee
A paper copy of your certificate is not currently included in the exam fees. Candidates who require a paper copy must request this themselves and pay an additional fee. You can do this through the Extra Score Report service on the chinesetest.cn website.
How to register for the exam
- Go to www.chinesetest.cn and log in as a test taker. If you don’t have an account, click on ‘New User’ to create one.
- Select the exam you would like to register for and complete the steps (download these instructions if you need help).
Register for a test on ChineseTest.cn
- Once you are registered on the Chinese Test website, you need to pay the exam centre (that’s us) to complete the registration. Pay your exam fee via the University of Leeds online store. You will need to take a note of the exam fee for your chosen level(s) and adjust the online payment manually to the appropriate amount.
Please ensure that you complete the above steps before the registration deadline.
Feel free to contact us if you require any assistance.
Are HSK exams changing?
New International Chinese Language Education Standards for Chinese Language Education were released in early 2021. Eventually HSK exams will change to align with the new standards.
The first change will be the addition of levels 7-9 (via a single exam) in late 2021.
The current levels 1-6 will not be adjusted in the near future. In the next 3-5 years, HSK 1-6 levels will be gradually adjusted based on the new standards.
You can find more information in this post reporting on a recent meeting discussing the new standards.
Read the official announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Education (in Chinese).
Information for registered candidates (in-person exams)
Applicants will be issued with an admission ticket and directions to the test centre after we have processed your registration.
The time and place specified on the admission ticket may be subject to change. You will receive confirmation of your exam date and time prior to the exam.
You will need to bring the ticket and personal ID when attending the exam.
HSK 'Home Edition' requirements: read before booking
The HSK ‘Home Edition’ exam replaces the in-person exams that currently cannot run due to the pandemic. Candidates will take the exam at their computer and will be monitored via a webcam.
Before registration, please make sure that your system and environment meet the test requirements below. The test fee will not be refunded if the test environment, test equipment, or other conditions are found to violate the requirements.
01
A computer running Windows 7/10. Screen resolution should be 1366*768 or above. Mac OS operating systems and mobile devices are not supported.
02
Network bandwidth should be 20M and speed 150KB/s or above.
03
High-definition PC camera (built-in or external; 300,000 pixels or above); the room should be well lit to ensure clear images.
04
Mobile phone with camera: Invigilation software should be downloaded onto the phone as directed by the test center.
(1) The test taker should enter the designated meeting room one hour before the test starts, placing the mobile phone one meter behind them and slightly to the left or the right, so that the invigilator can see both the computer screen and the test taker.
(2) The invigilator will undertake a 360-degree inspection of the test environment through the invigilating software.
(3) The test taker should ensure his or her mobile phone is connected to WiFi and turn on flight mode.
(4) The mobile phone should be fully charged to ensure normal operation for the full duration of the test.
05
HSKK test takers should have good-quality headphones with a microphone, which should be excellent in acoustic insulation and transmission.
06
The test should be undertaken in a closed, separate room to ensure there is no disturbance. The test may not be taken in any open environment, for example parks, Internet cafes, or restaurants. All hardware and equipment that will be used for the test should be placed in plain sight on the desk. This should include no item that is not being used for the test. No other people may enter the test room during the test. The test result shall be rendered invalid if the test taker is seen to violate any of these regulations.
07
Cross-border registration is not allowed. For instance, test takers who register for the online test with a test center in the U.S. must connect from the U.S. on the day of the test.
Note
(1) It is not allowed to record the test questions, either on paper and/ or in any other way
(2) With an aim to guarantee the safe operation of the test, test centers may ask for some personal details or documents, for example name, photo, or other information, and make audio- and video-recordings of the test. Data will only be collected for the purposes of the test and in accordance with all relevant data protection laws.
Exam times for 18/3/23
HSK levels 2, 4, 6: 9:00am
HSK levels 1, 3, 5: 1:30pm
HSKK all levels: 4:30pm
Why take the HSK?
Track your progress
It’s very motivating to work your way through the levels as your Chinese improves.
Scholarships
Hanban offers scholarships for non-Chinese students to study in China, and a HSK certificate is required even if you have a Chinese degree. For full details visit the Hanban scholarships website.
Employment
Putting your HSK level on your CV is the best way to demonstrate your Chinese ability to potential employers, as it shows your level relative to an international standard.
Chinese work permits
You receive additional points for HSK scores in work permit applications.
Past papers
Chinese Proficiency Exams are issue by Hanban through Chinese Testing International. Download sample HSK exam papers for each level below. These are taken from the Chinese Testing International website, where you can find detailed information about the different exams, including the audio files for these papers.
