To Be Reformed: New HSK Exam System Guide(2020-2021)

New HSK Exam

 - The (Ultimate) Complete Guide

by Juliette Pitt

HSK or Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试) came about in 1992 as a proficiency exam for Mandarin Chinese.  

And the current HSK exam system is going to change! The New HSK Exam will contain more words, more levels and it will be no doubt harder – as the following below will illustrate.

Announcement 

“HSK is about to be reformed. In 2020, the Chinese Proficiency Standards will usher in a new change: a hybrid paradigm of ‘Three Stages and Nine Levels’ characterised by integration and all-in-one”

The new “Three stages, nine levels” evaluation system of the HSK

Announced in May 2020, released via the official HSK official Twitter Account, the exam will change from six to nine levels!

In order to mark the examinees’ current progress, the nine levels will be sub-divided into three stages.

For advanced learners to acquire native-level proficiency certifications,  highest classification will  be further divided into three distinct levels.

Three Stages 

& Nine Levels

New HSK Levels

Officially referred to as HSK 3.0, the new HSK exam structure will be divided into three stages and nine levels with:

• Beginner at Level 1-3

• Intermediate at Level 4-6

• Advanced at Level 7-9

According to the Chinese Testing International Centre in Barcelona, the advanced levels (7-9) are for foreign students who want to specialize in Chinese language and literature, and other majors such as Sinology.

The Advanced HSK exam (Level 7-9) is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2021.

Whether it be the lower level or highest grade, you must learn more words so it will certainly be a harder test!

Words and Vocabulary List 

In a PDF published by the International Chinese Education (世界汉语教学 shìjiè hànyǔ jiàoxué), they further outline the new proficiency standards for all the levels.

New requirements for the HSK levels 1 to 9

The difficulty has certainly increased!

Focusing on the vocabulary column (词汇: cíhuì) a.k.a. the fifth column, we can see that just for level 1 the threshold has increased.

Instead of previously needing to learn 150 words for HSK 1, this has now increased to 500.

For HSK 6, students will now be required to learn 5,456 words and for HSK 9 students will be expected to know over 11,000 words!

Therefore, by increasing the threshold students will be pushed harder to learn more words.

Why the Change？

There is no definite answer to this question.

But here’s some possible reasons:

To make the exam harder

• As more people are studying the language, the old classification could no longer meet the requirements of the new situation.

• This new classification is more precise and further categorizes students language ability.

To align with the European Framework

• One major problem with the current HSK test is it does not directly correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CETR)

• For example, HSK 6 was nowhere near the “almost-native” C2 level and so on.

• Thus, by adjusting the test to better reflect the CEFR system this should help give the HSK improved weighting and caliber on the international stage.

FAQ’S + Tips

Our top tip to you is not to worry!

The new exam system is good for beginners and definitely a challenge for any advanced learner.

Although your current level will be most likely downgraded due to this new system, the good thing is that you can still aim for HSK 6.

Unless you intend to specialize in Sinology or otherwise, this level is probably enough to get you where you want to be!

FAQ’s

When was the New HSK announced?

In May 21st 2020 on the Official HSK Twitter account.

When will the system change?

We are still not sure of when this system will change, all we know so far is that the Advanced HSK exam (Level 7-9) is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2021.

How many words to pass the highest (new) HSK level?

The highest level of HSK you can pass with the new system is HSK 9 and this requires knowing a huge 11,092 words, more than double the current highest level (HSK6).

NOTE:

HSK certification is valuable in the  work visa application process in China

In the Foreigner Work Permit Score Form, one can be credit with certain points once they have HSK certificate.

The applicants who have more than 60 points according to the system would be qualified for work permit.

If you have any questions about work visa applications, please contact our visa specialist Alex (WeChat ID: AnyHelperAlex) :)

This article is kindly contributed by LTL Mandarin School.

You can find more details about the HSK exams in their website!

(Scan the code below)

If you wish to study specifically for the HSK you can study with LTL online or in-person

Online

In person

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