HSK

Education & Academia abbreviation · Standardized Test

HSK
Stands forHanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Proficiency Test)
CategoriesEducation & Academia

HSK stands for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Proficiency Test), a standardized test abbreviation.

Standardized test of Mandarin Chinese for non-native speakers, overseen by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education. The widely used version has six levels, from HSK 1 (about 150 words) to HSK 6 (about 5,000 words).

Example: Chinese universities usually require HSK 4 or higher for degree programs taught in Chinese.

Usage notes

In 2021 China published new standards with nine levels, and exams for the advanced levels 7 to 9 began in 2022. Chinese government scholarships often require HSK results. The name is the pinyin for "Chinese level examination".

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