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HSK: the Chinese proficiency test for non-native speakers

Unofficial entry · Sources checked

HSK, the Chinese Proficiency Test, is an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency. The "What is HSK?" text of the Chinese Tests Service Website says it is organized by Chinese Testing International Co., Ltd. (CTI) and assesses how well learners can use Chinese as a second language. See also Tests and verification on this site.

Definition

The definition comes from the HSK page of the Chinese Tests Service Website. The About page of the same website describes CTI as "a professional international Chinese education and examination service company" and states that CTI has set up 1,522 test centers in 169 countries.

What the official text says

The new HSK. The HSK page says the new HSK upgrades the current six-level system to a new "Three Stages, Nine Levels" framework, covering elementary, intermediate and advanced proficiency. It assesses five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation (at advanced levels). The page says the new HSK adjusts question types, number of questions, test duration and listening speed. Its test syllabus covers five components: tasks, topics, vocabulary, grammar and Chinese characters.

The HSK 3.0 launch notice. A notice on the Chinese Tests Service Website, published 9 September 2026, says HSK 3.0 "will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026". It describes the new version as "a comprehensive upgrade of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)". The notice gives these dates:

Item Date as printed
Test date December 13, 2026
Paper-based test, registration until 24:00 on November 16, 2026 (Beijing Time)
Computer-based test, registration until 24:00 on December 03, 2026 (Beijing Time)

Sections 01 to 03 of the notice (test date, registration period and how to register) set out no fee. The notice says further test information will be released through the Chinese Tests Service Website and CTI's official WeChat account.

Uses of HSK scores. The "Why choose HSK?" text on the HSK page says HSK scores "have become a requirement to prove Chinese language proficiency for international students to apply for admission, graduation, and scholarship in China". The page lists these uses of HSK scores:

  • college enrollment, level learning, course exemption and course credits;
  • employee recruiting, training and advancement;
  • evaluation of teaching quality at colleges, schools and other educational institutions;
  • learners' self-evaluation.

HSK as a scholarship condition. Section IV of the Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, published by the China Scholarship Council (Campus China), sets HSK as a condition in three items. These conditions apply to that scholarship:

  • item 8: passed HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught general scholar program (excluding Chinese language majors);
  • item 9: passed HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught senior scholar program;
  • item 10: passed HSK (Level 4) when applying for a Chinese-taught master's or doctoral program.

This entry does not describe the content of the test or how to prepare for it.

Related terms

  • Chinese Government Scholarship
  • New HSK
  • HSK 3.0
  • China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)
  • Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education
  • Chinese Testing International Co., Ltd. (CTI)

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This entry is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice and is not published by the bodies named. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this entry, the official text and those instructions prevail.

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