Did you get your HSK scores?
xiaophil
December 31, 2009, 12:18 AM posted in General DiscussionWell, I got mine. I am mostly happy. I feel like I should've done better after studying fairly intensively for 2 years, but since I have done better than about 87% of those who take the test, I shall not complain, especially since I have no particular skill for taking tests and I didn't specifically prepare for the HSK. Anyway, I scored level 6 (intermediate C). That's the elementary/intermediate test that most people take. I think if I keep at the current pace, next time I can get level 7 for sure and I even have hopes for level 8. Level 9 is my dream, haha.
Did anyone else get their scores?
不管怎样，新年快乐！
xiaophil
January 07, 2010, 02:10 AMBaba
Are you taking the HSK in Australia? Is it more expensive there than in China? I always felt it was more expensive than it needed to be but still affordable. I think it is about 50 USD. I bet IELTS and TOEFL are much more expensive for Chinese students.
Anyway, if the vast majority of your studies comes from CPod, I would guess you can at least get level 3 in the elementary-intermediate version. If you really want to kick some gluteus maximus, I suggest buying some intermediate or higher 阅读 textbooks and carefully go through them. If you happen to follow my advice, having an electronic dictionary that allows you to draw the characters is almost essential if you don't want to spend hours looking up radicals. You could also use the draw function at nciku.com. There are also plenty of HSK prep books here in China. I wonder if they are easy to find outside of China, though. This is the best way to go if your main goal is to pass the test, but I find them boring so I only use them sparingly. (The 阅读 articles are actually interesting sometimes.) I plan to start using my HSK prep books again as the grammar sections are fairly useful.
If you have any specific questions about the test, please feel free to ask.
chanelle77
December 31, 2009, 03:47 AM@xiaphil: Congrats, think you did an excellent job and a nice score: you should be proud! How many years have you been studying Chinese? Was it your first test?
I will take (my first) HSK 1-3 (Beginner / Elly)in April and May or Fall the 4-6 level (Int), depends on how difficult it will be. But to be honest that test scares me a bit, but I really want some "formal" proof of my level :-)
xiaophil
December 31, 2009, 04:08 AMThanks Chanelle
Thanks for the nice words!
I first started studying almost 5 years ago, but it really wasn't untill two years ago that I genuinely began studying in earnest. I took the same version I think a year and half ago. I felt so bad I wasn't willing to look at my score! Now when I look back, I think perhaps I barely passed. I guess it is irrelevant now.
I can't say I have any knowledge of the tests you will take, but as for the elementary/intermediate one, it is important to keep in mind that only getting half right is considered pretty good. Scoring just over 30% will still let you squeak by. What this means is that you can't expect to have a good feeling coming out of the test, but even so you might still get a decent score.
bodawei
December 31, 2009, 01:52 PMHi Xiaophil
I know this has been discussed elsewhere (congratulations by the way!!) but I am just wondering why you put yourself through this? Is it a kind of masochism that goes with learning Chinese?.. :-)
Actually it's a serious question - I'm really wondering why you do the HSK. It is a formal requirement for studying at a Chinese uni (allegedly) - is that it? I know a few people doing courses taught in Chinese; I was surprised to find that the requirement is to get an HSK 6 'some time before graduation'. That is kind of amusing, because in Oz we require a certain IELTS score before you begin classes. Is it just for the satisfaction of saying you have an HSK score?
I'm wondering if Chinese people do IELTS just for the satisfaction of getting a score; probably not, because it is so damn expensive for them.
eupnea63355
December 31, 2009, 02:05 PMxiaophil, congratulations on your great score! Two years...if you have a moment please tell, are you living in China, and do you have conversational practice?
Chinese for me is so very difficult. I dream of taking the HSK only for personal validation, as if to say, well, "I'm not stupid after all." I'm pretty old, though. Started studying the language after age 50.
Well, maybe it's a dream. I just keep plodding along trying to learn AND RETAIN what I learn.
Again, congratulations! 我为你自豪。
xiaophil
January 05, 2010, 02:54 AMHey bodawei
Sorry about the lack of reply. When I got back from holiday I failed to check back here. Anyway, the HSK is in no way a requirement for anything I want to do. I mostly wanted to know where I am at in relation to others. I am however, planning on taking some ACTFL tests in the US, which seem completely different, but hey, at least I will still be in a test taking mode. I am going to shop myself around in Shanghai, though. I want to find a part time job where Chinese is needed instead of a bonus.
I must say that I am surprised by what you said about only having to pass HSK 6 before graduating. The undergraduates at my university must pass HSK 3 before starting class. I know that many (all?) postgraduate programs in China require passing HSK 6. I had assumed that was a prerequisite, though.
eupnea
I do live in China. My language partner is primarily my wife ;). Of course there are other opportunities here to speak, but sadly I don't have any close Chinese buddies yet.
I think you should take the test! The important thing to remember is it is a tough test for just about everyone. If you go in with the attitude that you won't come out with a warm fuzzy feeling, then you will feel much better in the long run and quite possibly set yourself up for a nice surprise.
vel_nia
January 05, 2010, 03:12 AM加油啊，就像我当年‘烤鸭’一样，哈哈
cx8255
January 05, 2010, 08:00 AM'烤鸭’----IELTS
我现在也是烤鸭一族．
烤－－－考（试）
鸭－－－雅（思）=IELTS
It is difficult to me
richad
January 05, 2010, 03:23 PM小飞，虽然第一次见面， 希望你加油，不要停下脚步，让更多的人加入这里，一起学习，if anything I can help you ，just contact me：
richad
January 05, 2010, 03:23 PM小飞，虽然第一次见面， 希望你加油，不要停下脚步，让更多的人加入这里，一起学习，if anything I can help you ，just contact me： wayne198719@hotmail.com
richad
January 05, 2010, 03:23 PM小飞，虽然第一次见面， 希望你加油，不要停下脚步，让更多的人加入这里，一起学习，if anything I can help you ，just contact me： wayne198719@hotmail.com
richad
January 05, 2010, 03:23 PM小飞，虽然第一次见面， 希望你加油，不要停下脚步，让更多的人加入这里，一起学习，if anything I can help you ，just contact me： wayne198719@hotmail.com
bodawei
January 05, 2010, 03:55 PM@Xiaophil
Thanks for your response. Interesting, sometimes I think I'd like to get on board and do it, but I have really no excuse. And I wonder if my current approach to reading (immersion in the real world) is actually more productive than preparing for an HSK test.
We were given an HSK format test before I started studying in China and I know what you mean about feeling deflated afterwards. They used it for streaming us, and I ended up in a class with (a) some fluent speakers who had not learnt grammar or characters (I had 'done' grammar at uni in Australia although you wouldn't guess from my posts here); and (b) some people who were behind my spoken Chinese who could read and write competently (ie. Koreans.) It ended up a pretty useful mix.
I want to find a part time job where Chinese is needed instead of a bonus.
You realise part-time jobs are illegal for foreigners in China of course. ;-)
xiaophil
bodawei
Everybody has their own approach. For those who want to get around better and engage in occasional conversations, your method is fine. As to why one should study for the HSK, I look at it this way: if a person is born in an English speaking country, that person will have no problem communicating in English in most daily situations. But of course if one wants to speak and write English well, that person must think a bit 'academically'. Chinese is the same way, and there is no better way to get into the mood than to start taking tests that may or may not help one buy vegetables at the market but can measure how much one is aware of what the 'elites' have deemed basic knowledge of a literate Chinese person.
By the way, this response is just as much an answer to myself as a reply to you. I often think about the value of my learning methods and goals.
Anyway, forget the part-time job. I'll look for an internship ;).
xiaophil
Baba
Are you taking the HSK in Australia? Is it more expensive there than in China? I always felt it was more expensive than it needed to be but still affordable. I think it is about 50 USD. I bet IELTS and TOEFL are much more expensive for Chinese students.
Anyway, if the vast majority of your studies comes from CPod, I would guess you can at least get level 3 in the elementary-intermediate version. If you really want to kick some gluteus maximus, I suggest buying some intermediate or higher 阅读 textbooks and carefully go through them. If you happen to follow my advice, having an electronic dictionary that allows you to draw the characters is almost essential if you don't want to spend hours looking up radicals. You could also use the draw function at nciku.com. There are also plenty of HSK prep books here in China. I wonder if they are easy to find outside of China, though. This is the best way to go if your main goal is to pass the test, but I find them boring so I only use them sparingly. (The 阅读 articles are actually interesting sometimes.) I plan to start using my HSK prep books again as the grammar sections are fairly useful.
If you have any specific questions about the test, please feel free to ask.
xiaophil
January 07, 2010, 01:57 AMbodawei
Everybody has their own approach. For those who want to get around better and engage in occasional conversations, your method is fine. As to why one should study for the HSK, I look at it this way: if a person is born in an English speaking country, that person will have no problem communicating in English in most daily situations. But of course if one wants to speak and write English well, that person must think a bit 'academically'. Chinese is the same way, and there is no better way to get into the mood than to start taking tests that may or may not help one buy vegetables at the market but can measure how much one is aware of what the 'elites' have deemed basic knowledge of a literate Chinese person.
By the way, this response is just as much an answer to myself as a reply to you. I often think about the value of my learning methods and goals.
Anyway, forget the part-time job. I'll look for an internship ;).
vel_nia
January 05, 2010, 02:40 PM小飞，cx8255 说的是对的，HSK就相当于IELTS OR TOFEL
connie
December 31, 2009, 02:17 AM恭喜你，小飞！
也祝你心想事成！早日实现你汉语9级的梦想。