HSK (Chinese proficiency test)
Find out more about the HSK Chinese proficiency test and how to register to take the test.
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) test is China's only official test of Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers. It is open to foreign students, overseas Chinese, and members of ethnic minority groups in China, and provides the global standard for Chinese language proficiency from beginner to advanced level.
It also provides a concrete demonstration of your ability to prospective employers, foreign institutions and other international organisations.
The test is administered by Chinese Testing International Co Ltd (CTI), a professional international Chinese education and examination service that is affiliated with the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and a member of Chinese Plus.
In October 2011, The Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester became an official Test Centre for paper-based and PC based HSK tests.
The New HSK comprises six levels:
- Levels 1, 2 and 3 are entrance-level examinations that correspond to our basic level courses (Comprehensive 1-4, Conversational 1-4).
- Levels 4, 5 and 6 correspond to our intermediate and advanced level courses.
HSK examinations 2024
From now on we will be holding Internet Based on campus exams at the University of Manchester.
Registration for the next exams on Sunday 8 December 2024 is now open and registration will close 19 November 2024. More information about registering is available on our Registration page.
The payment deadline is 25 November 2024.
Places are limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis. Within 7 days of registering you will receive an email with further information, including how to pay. Your place will only be confirmed once payment has been received.
Please note that regulations have changed and it will no longer be possible to complete the writing section of the PC-based test using handwriting; everything must be typed.
Please email confucius@manchester.ac.uk if you have any queries about this.
IMPORTANT: Please note when creating your profile on chinesetest.cn that you must double-check all of your personal details are correct (full name, ID type etc) as it is very difficult to make changes.
Further details can be found in the table below.
Level |
Duration (minutes) |
Total Score |
Passing Score |
Starting Time |
HSK 1 | 40 | 200 | 120 | 13:30 |
HSK 2 | 55 | 200 | 120 | 09:00 |
HSK 3 | 90 | 300 | 180 | 13:30 |
HSK 4 | 105 | 300 | 180 | 09:00 |
HSK 5 | 125 | 300 | 180 | 13:30 |
HSK 6 | 140 | 300 | 180 | 09:00 |
HSKK Beginner | 17 | 100 | 60 | 16:30 |
HSKK Intermediate | 21 | 100 | 60 | 16:30 |
HSKK Advanced | 25 | 100 | 60 | 16:30 |