The HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì), or Chinese Proficiency Test, has become the global standard for assessing non-native speakers’ command of Mandarin. Officially launched in 1984 by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), the HSK was initially a standardized exam developed to meet the growing demand to evaluate Chinese language proficiency for foreigners, overseas Chinese, and ethnic minorities in China. It was formally adopted by China’s Ministry of Education in 1992.
Although often associated with the Confucius Institutes—educational organizations that promote Chinese language and culture—the HSK exams themselves were not created by these institutes. However, Confucius Institutes have been instrumental in administering and promoting the HSK internationally since the early 2000s. The first Confucius Institute to offer HSK exams was likely the Confucius Institute at the University of Maryland, one of the earliest global branches established in 2004, though the Hanban (the former governing body of Confucius Institutes, now known as the Center for Language Education and Cooperation) oversaw exam logistics and policy.
Before dwelling on the structure of the very HSK exams themselves, understanding the history of the HSK exam is also about recognizing how far the global Chinese language community has come. Perhaps you are also in preparation and learn Chinese online, or an online Chinese teacher. It is difficult to say how many students in preparation for HSK exams self-study or take classes. It is clear that, as more learners aim to master Mandarin and get a HSK certificate for perhaps work or study, there have been schools like GoEast Mandarin that provide preparation for these exams, always updated on changes to the levels as will be discussed below. Such schools like GoEast Mandarin have been particularly known to bring structure to self-paced learning, making use of visual tools making to make learning of sometimes more than 5000 vocabularies for higher HSK levels more effective.
Recent Updates to the HSK
In 2021, the HSK underwent a major overhaul known as the “HSK 3.0” update. The levels were restructured to better align with international language standards such as the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The new model includes 9 proficiency levels instead of the previous 6:
- Levels 1–3: Basic
- Levels 4–6: Intermediate
- Levels 7–9: Advanced
While the previous HSK Level 6 was the highest, now Levels 7–9 cater to learners targeting near-native fluency, especially those in academic or professional fields.
New Vocabulary Requirements (HSK 3.0)
- Level 1: 500 words
- Level 2: 1272 words
- Level 3: 2245 words
- Level 4: 3245 words
- Level 5: 4316 words
- Level 6: 5456 words
- Level 7–9: 11,092 words (shared across levels; level assignment depends on exam performance)
These updates aim to bridge the gap between actual proficiency and exam expectations, making the HSK more reflective of real-life language use.
HSKK: The Spoken Exam
Alongside the written HSK is the HSKK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǒuyǔ Kǎoshì), the oral component of the HSK, which tests speaking skills. It has three levels:
- Basic (beginner level, ~200 words)
- Intermediate (pre-intermediate to intermediate, ~900 words)
- Advanced (high-intermediate and above, ~3000 words)
Each HSKK exam involves listening to questions or prompts and recording your spoken responses. This includes reading aloud, answering questions, and giving short speeches or opinions, depending on the level.
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