Chinese level test

How the test works

Part 1: words. You see 16 Chinese words in simplified characters, one at a time, and choose the meaning of each. There is an “I don’t know” option: use it instead of guessing. Words from HSK 1 and HSK 2 come with pinyin, as in the exam, which prints pinyin at those two levels.

Part 2: grammar. 12 sentences with a gap and four options: particles, measure words, word order and connectives. The HSK 1 and HSK 2 sentences also come with pinyin.

If you cannot read characters yet. You get a shorter check instead: 12 everyday words and phrases written in pinyin, the way they sound, like the ones people pick up from series, music and travel. It tells you how much Chinese you already know by ear. It does not give an HSK level, because the HSK is a written exam.

The test adapts as you go: after each answer it picks the next question close to your current estimate, so you spend your time on the questions that say the most about you.

Each word and each question belongs to a level. Your result is the highest level where you know at least half of the words and grammar, which goes together with knowing about 80% of the level below. We chose this rule because it matches the published vocabulary sizes for each CEFR level. The range shows how sure the test can be with this many questions.

What the levels mean

The HSK is China’s official Chinese proficiency test. This test uses the six levels of the version in use since 2010, HSK 1 to HSK 6, and simplified characters. A new version with nine levels, which asks for more words at each level, is being introduced. We give no CEFR letters: the exam’s organisers equated HSK 1 to 6 with A1 to C2, and the German association of Chinese teachers places HSK 6 at about B2.

HSK 1	Beginner. You know the first everyday words and very simple sentences. The level asks for about 150 words.
HSK 2	Elementary. You can have simple, direct exchanges about familiar everyday matters. The level asks for about 300 words.
HSK 3	Pre-intermediate. You handle basic communication in daily life, study and travel. The level asks for about 600 words.
HSK 4	Intermediate. You can talk about a fairly wide range of topics. The level asks for about 1,200 words.
HSK 5	Upper intermediate. You can read simpler newspaper and magazine articles and follow films and series to a good degree. The level asks for about 2,500 words.
HSK 6	Advanced. You understand most of what you read and hear and express yourself fluently. The level asks for 5,000 words or more. With this few questions the test cannot separate the top levels reliably.

What this test can and cannot tell you

• It measures reading vocabulary and grammar. It does not measure speaking, listening or writing.
• It is short. Expect the result to be right to within one level either way; that is why you get a range.
• The levels of the questions come from published graded lists and syllabuses. The test has not yet been checked against the results of people who took an official exam.
• For an official level, take an exam such as HSK.

Questions about the test

Sources

• Chinese Testing International, the HSK exam and its levels
• Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF 0025-2021), the basis of the nine-level HSK
• Fachverband Chinesisch (2010), statement on the HSK levels and the CEFR
• Chan & Chang (2018), “LEXTALE_CH: A quick, character-based proficiency test for Mandarin Chinese”, BUCLD 42