汉语水平考试（HSK）是一项国际汉语能力标准化考试，重点考查汉语非第一语言的考生在生活、学习和工作中运用汉语进行交际的能力。
一、考试结构
HSK包括HSK一级、HSK二级、HSK三级、HSK四级、HSK五级和HSK六级。
二、考试等级
HSK各等级与《国际汉语能力标准》的对应关系如下表所示： 通过HSK（一级）的考生可以理解并使用一些非常简单的汉语词语和句子，满足具体的交际需求，具备进一步学习汉语的能力。
通过HSK（二级）的考生可以用汉语就熟悉的日常话题进行简单而直接的交流，达到初级汉语优等水平。
通过HSK（三级）的考生可以用汉语完成生活、学习、工作等方面的基本交际任务，在中国旅游时，可应对遇到的大部分交际任务。
通过HSK（四级）的考生可以用汉语就较广泛领域的话题进行谈论，比较流利地与汉语为母语者进行交流。
通过HSK（五级）的考生可以阅读汉语报刊杂志，欣赏汉语影视节目，用汉语进行较为完整的演讲。
通过HSK（六级）的考生可以轻松地理解听到或读到的汉语信息，以口头或书面的形式用汉语流利地表达自己的见解。
三、考试原则
HSK遵循“考教结合”的原则，考试设计与目前国际汉语教学现状、使用教材紧密结合，目的是“以考促教”“以考促学”。
HSK关注评价的客观、准确，更重视发展考生汉语应用能力。
HSK制定明确的考试目标，便于考生有计划、有成效地提高汉语应用能力。
四、考试形式
1. 纸笔考试（Paper-based Test）
2. 网络考试*（Internet-based Test）
* 网络考试是基于互联网和计算机实施的考试，考查考生运用汉语进行交际的能力，考试内容、标准和效力与纸笔考试相同。汉语网络考试方便灵活、经济高效、安全稳定，并支持在线考务管理、在线缴费和在线模拟。
五、考试用途
目前，HSK已成为留学中国的通行证、申请来华留学奖学金的必备条件和学校教学评估的重要手段，并被越来越多国家的政府部门和跨国企业作为员工招聘、提薪和晋升的重要依据。
六、成绩报告
HSK成绩是汉语能力的权威证明，考生可在考试结束一个月后登录汉语考试服务网www.chinesetest.cn查询成绩，并于成绩公布一个月内联系参加考试的考点获取由孔子学院总部/国家汉办颁发的HSK成绩报告。
Brief Introduction about Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)
The new HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result of coordinated efforts by domestic and foreign experts from different disciplines including Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational measurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training by conducting surveys and making use of the latest findings in international language testing.
The new HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels, namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI).
Details are as follows
The new HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The test is the result of coordinated efforts by domestic and foreign experts from different disciplines including Chinese language teaching, linguistics, psychology and educational measurement. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training by conducting surveys and making use of the latest findings in international language testing.
I. Test Structure
The new HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. HSK consists of six levels, namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI).
II. Test Levels
The levels of the new HSK correspond to the levels of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) as follows:
New HSK
Vocabulary
CLPS
CEF
HSK (Level VI)
Over 5,000
Level V
C2
HSK (Level V)
2500
C1
HSK (Level IV)
1200
Level IV
B2
HSK (Level III)
600
Level III
B1
HSK (Level II)
300
Level II
A2
HSK (Level I)
150
Level I
A1
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level II) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level III) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese when travelling in China.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level IV) can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers.
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.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level VI) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.
III. Test Principles
The new HSK follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”, bases the design of the test on the current trends in international Chinese language training, and is closely related to textbooks. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.
The new HSK emphasizes the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation and stresses the learners’ actual Chinese language abilities.
The new HSK sets clear test objectives to allow the test takers to be able to improve their Chinese language abilities in a systematic and efficient way.
IV. Testing Purposes
The new HSK retains the former HSK’s orientation as a general (or universal) Chinese language abilities test for adult learners. The results of the test can serve several purposes:
1. A reference for an educational institution’s decision-making concerning recruiting students, assigning students to different classes, allowing students to skip certain courses and granting students academic credits.
2. A reference for employers’ decision-making concerning the recruitment, training and promotion of test takers.
3. A method for Chinese language learners to assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.
4. A method for Chinese language training institutions to evaluate training results.
V. Results Certificate
Test takers will receive the results for the new HSK issued by Hanban within one month after the test.