HSK Chinese level test: a plus on your resume

New and classic HSK Chinese level test

Since year 2005, an organizational conflict arose over the issue of the authority to manage the HSK Chinese level test as well as collecting the incidental revenues. The Beijing Culture and Language University, which administered HSK Chinese level test and Hanban (Office of Chinese Language Council International), a non-government organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China aiming at promoting Chinese learning and beginning offering its new HSK Chinese level test outside China and promoting the tests heavily through the Confucius Institutes it was funding abroad. The conflict hadn’t been settled until 2010 when Hanban won the right against BLCU to offer HSK Chinese level test as the sole authoritative HSK within China. In the meantime, the classic HSK Chinese level test continued to be valid and be offered within China to both foreign and Chinese citizens. However, the two HSK Chinese level testsplit on their focus radically which matters a lot to candidates who intend to take the test. The classic HSK continued to operate as an advanced proficiency test without much regard for commercial or international use. In contrast, the Hanban HSK test aims to appeal to students with minimal mandarin proficiency. It also aims to increase its commercial utility by following the testing structure laid out by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The new HSK Chinese level test launched and administered by Hanban is structured under coordinated efforts of different experts. It includes different disciplines including Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational measurement for the purpose of better serving Chinese language learners. It conducts surveys and makes use of the latest findings in international language testing. The new HSK Chinese level testcombines the advantages of the classic HSK while taking into consideration the recent trends in Chinese language training. It now comprises 6 levels and starting from level 3 it measures candidates’ language skills in reading, listening, and writing.

Level 1 requires candidates to be able to comprehend and use words in easy sentences, have elementary capacity to communicate. 150 characters are required to be mastered by candidates. Level 2 requires candidates to have the ability to communicate about familiar or everyday topics at an elementary level, and the number of characters required is 300. Level 3 requires skills from candidates in ability to communicate about familiar, professional and everyday topics at t an elementary level, and the number of characters required is 600. Level 4 requires the ability to fluently discuss different topics, and the number of characters required is 1200. Level 5 requires candidates to be able to read newspapers, magazines, watch TV and theatre shows, and the number of characters required is 2500. Level 6 is the highest level, requiring candidate to be able to understand written and spoken information easily as well as express oneself in writing and speaking, and the number of characters required is 5000.

How important is HSK Chinese level test to your resume

So, why should foreigners take HSK Chinese level test? Well, China has fascinated the Western world for decades, especially in the past few years when Chinese culture has expanded across the world through the Chinese language and its booming economy, which makes foreigners even more curious about China and plan to work or study here. However, before being employed in China or enrolled in a Chinese college or university as a graduate or undergraduate student, the official degree which certifies your Chinese level and accreditation is needed by taking the New HSK test. Therefore, the major uses of HSK Certification can be classified as first: certifying the necessary proficiency to enter a Chinese college or university as a graduate or undergraduate student; second, demonstration of competence in application for an HSK scholarship for support in academic studies; third, certification of exemption from taking Chinese language courses; and fourth, admission to mainland companies for employment.