HSK (Level I) assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese.
It is
the counterpart of the Level I of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of
Other Languages and the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference
(CEF). Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very
simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to
further their Chinese language studies.
I. Test Target
The HSK (Level I) is intended for students who have studied Chinese for a semester
(half an academic year), with 2-3 class hours in each week. These students have mastered 150
commonly used words and basic grammar patterns.
II. Test Content
HSK (Level I) test is made up of listening comprehension and reading comprehension
sections and contains a total of 40 items.
Section Number of Items Duration (Min)
Part I 5
Part II 5
I. Listening 20 About 15
Part III 5
Part IV 5
Filling out the answer sheet(Mark your answers for
3
listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)
Part I 5
Part II 5
II. Reading 20 17
Part III 5
Part IV 5
Total / 40 About 35
The test will last for 40 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill
in personal information).
1. Listening Comprehension
There are 5 items in Part I. The recording of each item will be played twice. A phrase
and picture will be provided with each item. The test takers should make a true-or-false
judgment based on what they hear.
There are 5 items in Part II. The recording of each item will be played twice. A sentence
and 3 pictures will be provided with each item. The test takers should choose corresponding
pictures based on what they hear.
There are 5 items in Part III. The recording of each item will be played twice. A
dialogue and several pictures will be provided with each item. The test takers should choose
corresponding pictures based on what they hear.
There are 5 items in Part IV. The recording of each item will be played twice. For each
item, a person will make a statement. Another person will then ask a question and provide
three possible answers. The three possible answers will be listed on the test paper, and test
takers can choose one of the answers based on what they hear.
2. Reading Comprehension
There are 5 items in Part I. Each item will provide a picture and a phrase. The test taker
should judge whether or not they are consistent with each other.
There are 5 items in Part II. The test paper will display several pictures. For each item, a
sentence will be provided. The test taker needs to choose one of the corresponding pictures
based on the content of the sentence.
There are 5 items in Part III. During this section, 5 questions and 5 answers will be
provided. The test take should match the question with the appropriate answer.
There are 5 items in Part IV. Each item will display a sentence with one word missing.
The test taker should select one of the words in the answer section to fill in the blank.
All items on the test paper are shown in pinyin.
III. Results Certificate
For the HSK (Level I), three results will be provided including listening, reading and
total. The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.
Max Score Your Score
Listening 100
Reading 100
Total 200
As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the
results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).
