FAQ｜HSK7-9
Last updated: 26 April, 2023
After a lot of waiting, there is finally news on when the first New HSK exam will take place. I am sure there are a lot of questions on your mind… will I have to take the test again, is my current qualification still valid…?
Please check our FAQ below for answers to these questions.
Feel free to check back as we will be constantly updating this here.
If you have any more questions, feel free to send us an email at hsktest@confuciusgroningen.nl and we will try our best to answer.
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The first global HSK (Level 7-9) test was held on 26 November 2022. This test is in the form of a computer-based exam, which is divided into five parts: listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. For more details, please click here and choose HSK Level (VII-IX).
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The scores of candidates who participated in HSK 1-6 levels are still valid, and the validity of the already obtained certificates remains unchanged.
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For HSK 1-6, the current tests and classification will not change. Thus, the textbooks and courses compiled and developed for the HSK 1-6 levels can still be used. In the next 2-3 years, HSK 1-6 levels will be adjusted gradually according to the “Standards” and the actual conditions of Chinese learners in various countries. Once all the changes are released officially, we will update you immediately.
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The newly added level in the new HSK, from Band 7 to Band 9, is designed for advanced learners, including sinologists or those who major in Chinese language and literature. If you want to study for a master’s degree or PhD in Chinese, or just want to challenge yourself, this new HSK is for you.
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The biggest difference in this new format is that the HSK 7-9 test is only one exam. Your result will determine whether you are level 7, 8 or 9. This is different to the previous HSK tests where you select a single level to be tested on.
The test is made up of five different sections: listening, reading, writing, translating, and speaking. This is also different to previous tests which had no spoken element, with a separate speaking test——HSKK, being optional.
You can see a complete breakdown of the structure for the HSK 7-9 test in the chart below:
NOTE ｜Translating is divided into interpretation and translation, both of which are translated from foreign languages into Chinese. When you sign up for the test, you will need to select your chosen language. For the translation part of the exam on 26 November 2022, test takers could choose from the following five languages: English, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Korean.
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As you can see, there are 98 questions in total and the test will take approximately 3.5 hours to complete. You can see what a test day would normally look like below:
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There are two options for taking the test: you can either take a computer-based test at an HSK test center or take a computer-based test at home. Usually there is a third option to take a paper-based test at a test center, but this is not an option yet.
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You need to contact a local test centre to register and pay. (Kind reminder: we, the Groningen Confucius Institute test center, are not organising this exam in the year of 2023 and more details will be announced later)
