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Exam description HSK5

The HSK (Level V) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level V of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the C1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF). Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level V) can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and plays and give a full-length speech in Chinese.

It is intended for students who have studied Chinese 2-4 class hours per week for more than two academic years. These students have mastered 2,500 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.

The HSK (Level V) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing sections and contains a total of 100 items.

  • Listening comprehension is divided into 2 parts (respectively 20 and 25 questions per part, for a total of 45 questions), to be completed in about 30 minutes.
  • The comprehension of the text is divided into 3 parts (respectively 15, 10, and 20 questions per part, for a total of 45 questions), to be completed in 45 minutes.
  • Writing skills are divided into two parts (8 and 2 questions per part respectively, for a total of 10 questions), to be completed in 40 minutes.

The test will last for 125 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).


Listening Comprehension

There are 20 items in Part I. The recording of each item will be played only once. Each item consists of a dialogue between two persons, with a third person then asking a question about the dialogue. There will be four possible answers provided on the test paper. Test takers must choose the best answer based on what they hear.

There are 25 items in Part II. The recording of each item will be played only once. This section consists of a 4-5 sentence dialogue or monologue followed by one or more questions. Four possible answers will be provided on the test paper. The test-taker must choose the best answer out of the four.

Reading Comprehension

There are 15 items in Part I. This section consists of various passages, each with several blanks, which should be filled with a word or sentence. The test taker needs to choose the best answer out of four possible answers.

There are 10 items in Part II. Each item consists of a passage and four possible answers. The test taker needs to choose which of the four answers is most consistent with the passage.

There are 20 items in Part III. This section consists of several passages followed by some questions. The test taker should choose the best answer out of the 4 answers provided.

Writing

There are 8 items in Part I. Each item consists of several words from which the test taker should construct a sentence.

There are 2 items in Part II. The first item consists of several words and requires the test taker to write an article about 80 characters long using the words provided. The second item consists of a picture and requires the test taker to write an article about 80 characters long based on the picture.

SCORE

  • Listening comprehension: 100 points
  • Reading comprehension: 100 points
  • Writing: 100 points

    • TOTAL: base 300 points (sum of the 3 previous results)

THE MINIMUM SCORE FOR PASSING THE EXAM IS 180/300 POINTS.