Test Dates, Categories and Levels
Please note that HSK Levels 2,4 and 6 will be organized from 9:00-11:00 AM on the day of test, and Levels 1, 3, and 5 will be organized from 1:30-3:30 PM on the day of test. For HSKK, all tests will be organized from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.
Testing will be done on the second floor of the Hauge Administration Building at Pacific Lutheran University. Access to the building will be through one of the two doors facing north on 121st street where there also should be ample parking. For a map please see the following.
For questions or assistance, please contact the Confucius Institute of the State of Washington at ciwa@plu.edu.
July – December 2021 test dates at CIWA
HSK Levels 1- 6
Sunday the 17th of October
Saturday the 6th of November
Saturday the 20th of November
Sunday the 5th of December.
HSKK Levels 1-3
Sunday the 17th of October, and
Sunday the 5th of December.
YCT Levels 1- 4
Saturday the 23rd of October, and
Sunday the 14th of November.
The new HSK is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test for non-native speakers 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.
In addition to the HSK standard exams, CIWA offers an exam for children (YCT). There is some overlap between the lowest level of one category and the highest level of the category below. For more information, please see test registration.
Consider why you are taking the exam and which level of categorization you need before choosing your test level.
Note: All HSK test instructions are given exclusively in Chinese.
New HSK Levels
HSK1
This level is designed for learners who can understand and use some simple Chinese characters and sentences to communicate, and prepares them for continuing their Chinese studies. It is appropriate for students with 50-100 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, who have mastered 150 Chinese characters.
HSK2
This level is designed for elementary learners who can use Chinese in a simple and direct manner, applying it in a basic fashion in their daily lives. It is appropriate for students with 100-150 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, who have mastered 300 Chinese characters.
HSK3
This level is 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. It is appropriate for students with 150-200 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 600 Chinese characters.
HSK4
This level is 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. It is appropriate for students with 200-400 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 1200Chinese characters.
HSK5
This level is 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. It is appropriate for students with 350-550 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 2500 Chinese characters.
HSK6
This level is designed for learners who can easily understand any information communicated in Chinese and are capable of smoothly expressing themselves in written or oral form. It is appropriate for students with 500-600 hours of formal education in modern Chinese, have mastered a vocabulary of 5000 or more Chinese characters.
Register online to find HSK sample test for test details and sample levels.
New YCT Young Learners Chinese Test
The YCT test is intended for young students up to age 15. There are four levels of the YCT to accommodate different levels of study in young students of Chinese.
a. 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;
b. YCT- Level 2
Examinees who passed YCT-Level 2 can understand and use some simple Chinese words and sentences to communicate;
c. 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;
d. 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;
Register online to find YCT sample tests.