What is the HSK test?

The HSK, or Chinese Proficiency Test, is an international standardised test of Chinese as a second language. CTI organises it, and the test site says HSK scores are used for admission, graduation and scholarship applications in China. Which level you need depends on the scholarship or the university, and for the Chinese Government Scholarship the guide sets HSK 3 or HSK 4 conditions for specific Chinese-taught programmes.

What the test measures and what it is used for

According to the test site, HSK assesses how well a learner can use Chinese in daily, academic and professional life. The exam uses a uniform grading and scoring system.

The site lists these uses of HSK scores:

• college enrolment, placement into learning levels, course exemption and course credits
• recruiting, training and promotion of employees
• evaluation of teaching quality at colleges, schools and other educational institutions
• learners' self-evaluation of their Chinese

Where it matters for a scholarship

The Application Guide for the Chinese Government Scholarship, published by the China Scholarship Council on Campus China, sets HSK conditions in section IV (Eligibility). For Chinese-taught programmes:

• Chinese-taught general scholar programme, excluding Chinese language majors: HSK (Level 3), item 8
• Chinese-taught senior scholar programme: HSK (Level 3), item 9
• Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programme: HSK (Level 4), item 10

Section VI (Application Documents), item 5, requires applicants for master's, doctoral, general scholar and senior scholar programmes taught in Chinese to submit a valid HSK score report that meets the matching requirement. For programmes taught in another language, section IV, item 11 asks applicants to meet the university's own language and academic requirements. Section VI, item 5 gives IELTS or TOEFL score reports as examples of certificates for those programmes.

These are conditions of that scholarship. They do not set general rules for studying in China.

What the national quality standard says

The Quality Standards for Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) is attached to Ministry of Education notice Jiaowai [2018] No. 50. The Chinese text is in Chinese; the English wording here is this site's translation.

The standard states language levels against the International Chinese Proficiency Standards (《国际汉语能力标准》), not against HSK levels. Section 1.2 says that for programmes taught in Chinese, the Chinese entry requirement shall be at least level 4 of those standards. A level 4 under this standard is therefore not the same thing as an HSK 4 score.

The standard is addressed to higher education institutions. It sets what a university's own entry rules must contain, and it does not set rules for individual applicants.

What a score report shows

An HSK 4 score report shows four scores: Listening, Reading, Writing and Total. The total is out of 300, and 180 or above is a passing mark. The scores are valid for two years, counted from the exam date.

The speaking test

The HSK Speaking Test has elementary, intermediate and advanced levels, and it is conducted as an audio recording; at all three levels the score is out of 100, with 60 as the passing mark.

Where to check the rest

For the language requirement of a particular university, ask that university's international student office. For the terms of a particular scholarship, read that scholarship's own guide.

Related questions

Does the HSK apply to every Chinese Government Scholarship?

The guide sets HSK conditions for the Chinese-taught general scholar, senior scholar, master's and doctoral categories listed in section IV and section VI. For programmes taught in another language, section IV, item 11 refers to the university's own requirements.

How long is an HSK score valid?

The HSK level pages say the score report is valid for two years, counted from the exam date. The HSK Speaking scores are valid for two years, counted from the test date.

What is the passing mark for HSK 3?

The HSK Level 3 page says a cumulative score of 180 or above is a passing mark, out of a full score of 300.

Sources

• About HSK, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK (Level 3), Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK (Level 4), Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• About the HSK Speaking Tests, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK Speaking (Elementary), Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK Speaking (Intermediate), Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK Speaking (Advanced), Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
• Quality Standards for Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (moe.gov.cn)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, it is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named, and if the official text differs from this page, the official text and the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case prevail.