HSK (Chinese Language) Testing

Test Dates

Please note that HSK Levels 2,4 and 6 will begin from 9:00 AM on the day of the test. Levels 1, 3, and 5 will begin from 1:30 PM.  For HSKK tests, the Entry level will start from 3:40PM, the Intermediate Level will begin from 11:25AM, and the Advanced Level will start 4:30PM on the date of test. YCT 1, 2, 3 and 4 start from 9:00 AM on the day of the test and YCT Speaking tests (Basic and Intermediate levels) begin from 11:00 AM following the YCT 1-4 tests.

On-Site testing will be held in Room 150 on the first floor of the Xavier Building at Pacific Lutheran University. Access to the building will be through the main door facing Red Square.

For a map of the PLU campus, please see the following: Map of PLU.

For questions or assistance, please contact hsktest@plu.edu. 

On-Site at PLU Test Dates:

Test Date                 Registration Deadline                       Test Results

Sat., May 16, 2026.         May 5, 2026.                                            June 16, 2026.

Sat., Oct. 17, 2026.          Oct. 6, 2026.                                             Nov. 17, 2026.

Virtual-at-Home Test Dates HSK (1-6), HSKK and YCT

Per changes in Chinese Testing International’s policy, the Online-at-home edition will combine the HSK written and HSKK oral in one single test. Specifically, the HSKK entry level should be taken together with HSK Level 3. The HSKK intermediate level should be taken together with HSK level 4. Finally, the HSKK advanced level should be taken with HSK 5 and/or 6. HSK level 1 and 2 can be completed as standalone tests without an oral component.

Test Date                Registration Deadline               Test Results

Sat. Mar. 14, 2026         Feb. 28, 2026                                April 13, 2026

Sat. May. 30, 2026        May 15, 2026                                 Jun. 29, 2026

Sun. Nov. 29, 2026       Nov. 14, 2026                                 Dec. 28, 2026

Additional test dates will be posted when available.

General Test Information

What is HSK?

Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kaushi  汉语水平考试 (HSK) is China’s official Chinese language proficiency test for non-native speakers. It is a standardized exam to measure the test taker’s Chinese language proficiency. HSK assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. The test is administered worldwide with over 1,147 HSK exam centers in 137 countries and regions.

What is HSKK?

Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Koushi, 汉语水平口语考试 HSK Speaking Test (HSKK) assesses the test takers’ oral Chinese abilities. HSKK consists of three levels, HSKK (Primary level), HSKK (Intermediate level) and HSKK (Advanced level). HSKK is conducted in the form of audio recording.

What is YCT?

Zhōng xiǎo xué Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì, 中小学生汉语考试 or Youth Chinese Test (YCT), is an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency. This test assesses the primary and middle school students’ abilities to use Chinese as second language in their daily and academic lives. YCT is divided into writing and speaking tests, which are independent to each other. The writing test consists of four levels, namely, YCT level I, II, III, and IV. The speaking test consists of two levels, Entry and Intermediate.

Categories and Levels

The HSK consists of two independent parts; a written test and an oral test. The written test is comprised of HSK-Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, while the oral test is comprised of Entry, Intermediate and Advanced levels. During the oral test, sound-recording devices are required.

Note: All HSK test instructions are given exclusively in Chinese.

HSK level 1 is 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.

HSK level 2 is 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.

HSK level 3 is 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.

HSK level 4 is 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.

HSK level 5 is 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.

HSK level 6 is 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.

Young Learners Chinese Test (YCT)

The YCT test is for students up to age 15. There are four levels.

Level 1 is for examinees who can understand and use some most frequently used Chinese words and sentences, and prepare themselves for continuing their Chinese studies;
Level 2 is for examinees who can understand and use some simple Chinese words and sentences to communicate;
Level 3 is for examinees who can use Chinese in a simple and direct way, applying it in a basic topic in their daily lives;
Level 4 is for examinees who can use Chinese to serve their demands in their personal lives and studies, and are able to complete most communication in Chinese.

Click here for sample tests.

Certification

The HSK and YCT are designed to certify that non-native Chinese speakers are qualified to communicate in Chinese at the level required for school and daily interactions in China. Educational institutions and businesses often require proof of language proficiency for non-natives.  HSK and YCT certification is granted based on the level of testing taken, and passing grades may provide exemption from Chinese language courses.  The HSK and YCT certificates are valid for life. However, for students applying to Chinese colleges or universities, the exam report is only valid for two years.

For test guidelines and sample tests, go to Download Center.

How To Pay For Your Test

After registering for your test at http://www.chinesetest.cn,  the next step is pay for your scheduled test.

You will need to pay for both your Online HSK Home Edition and your On-site in-person HSK test at Pacific Lutheran University through our online system.

To pay for your Online HSK Home Edition, please follow this link, choose your registered test date and make your payment.

To pay for your On-site in-person HSK test at Confucius Institute of the State of Washington at Pacific Lutheran University, please use this link and choose your registered test date.

If you have any questions about the payment process, please contact us by email at hsktest@plu.edu.

* On-site Test Fee Information:

HSK On-site at PLU:

HSK Level 1: $25.00
HSK Level 2: $35.00
HSK Level 3: $45.00
HSK Level 4: $55.00
HSK Level 5: $65.00
HSK Level 6: $75.00

YCT On-Site at PLU

Level 1: $15.00
Level 2: $20.00
Level 3: $25.00
Level 4: $30.00

YCT Speaking Tests

Entry:               $20.00
Intermediate:  $20.00

* Virtual-At-Home Fee Information:

HSK Virtual-at-Home:

Level 1: $32.50
Level 2: $45.50
Level 3  $70.00
Level 4  $90.00
Level 5  $110.00
Level 6  $120.00

HSKK Virtual-at-Home

Entry Level:               $32.50
Intermediate Level:  $45.50
Advanced Level:       $58.50

YCT Virtual-at-Home Written Tests:

Level 1: $19.60
Level 2: $26.00
Level 3: $32.50
Level 4: $39.00

YCT Virtual-at-Home Speaking Tests:

Entry level:                $26.00
Intermediate level:  $26.00

* These fees are effective April 1, 2024.