Why Take the HSK?
marktoddson
March 16, 2010, 04:46 PM posted in General DiscussionPeople say it's important to study for the HSK. Is it really?
How many people here even know what that is?
-Mark
matthiask
哈哈
chanelle77
March 16, 2010, 10:14 AMToday I successfully registered for the HSK INT exam. On the registration form you have to give a reason WHY you want to do the exam. Actually I did not really know :-), but it is somewhere between being scared , being sadomasochistic, just for fun and seeing what I accomplished in 1.5 year (one could not check these options on the form).
FYI, This week one can register for the intermediate and advanced HSK on April 17 & 18th, this is still the "old exam", there will be 3 more old exams this year in Jun,Oct & Dec
If one is interested to take the exam in April, you can find the Test Institutes on the HSK website (new website) and there you can go (this week) to register. You need to bring 2 photo's and fill out the form (which probably is available there together with the information booklet) and pay 250 or 400 (adv) RMB.
pretzellogic
March 15, 2010, 10:44 AMI think some use the HSK as a benchmark for their Chinese knowledge. I don't know that many of us foreigners in China actually use the HSK to get a job. Of course, having said that, plenty of foreigners will come out of the woodwork saying they've taken it for work....
I've heard that students are more likely to use this as a provider of metrics on how well they can write and comprehend what goes on at a Chinese university should they wish to attend. But i'm far from an expert. I know plenty of foreigners in China (actually, maybe 10 or so), and I don't think any of them bothered with the HSK.
xiao_liang
Hmn, that makes sense. I suppose for language jobs, you might look for it for proof of ability? I wonder if Chinesepod use it as part of their application procedure?
From the point of view of someone not looking for a job, it can be quite useful sometimes to use an objective testing method to measure your progress in learning, and as a standardised tool, I suppose the HSK is as good as any. Not to mention for bragging rights!
pretzellogic
Cpod I guess would have been an ideal example of an organization that tests foreigners on their Chinese language abilities. If we could ask John, Catherine, Jason and others if they had to take it to get jobs at Cpod, that would be one data point. But I suspect that they didn't need the HSK either.
xiao_liang
I suspect they didn't! John was already famous for his language ability :)
xiao_liang
March 15, 2010, 11:04 AMHmn, that makes sense. I suppose for language jobs, you might look for it for proof of ability? I wonder if Chinesepod use it as part of their application procedure?
From the point of view of someone not looking for a job, it can be quite useful sometimes to use an objective testing method to measure your progress in learning, and as a standardised tool, I suppose the HSK is as good as any. Not to mention for bragging rights!
bababardwan
March 15, 2010, 12:31 PMYou would have to think it would look good on your resume if you had achieved a significant level and you're going for a job in China or a job where Chinese would be an advantage.It sounds to me like the best known benchmark.I would guess Chinese Uni's would also be interested but I don't really know.Then there's also personal motivation and goal setting.Yeah,does anyone know about it's requirements for Uni or jobs? The other interesting question is if there is a HSK level requirement out there for say jobs/uni..what is that level that is required? What level holds some weight? What do the different levels equate to? For example,what level would be considered indicative of fluency?
xiao_liang
Hmmn. A brief search of a few job search engines does show up a few that ask for HSK proficiency, but not many. And the ones that do seems to say "or equivalent level".
In fact, careerengine.org (who advertise on chinesepod) don't list any that list HSK as a requirement.
changye
March 15, 2010, 12:47 PMJust for the record, HSK is not only for foreign people, but also for Chinese people. Ehnic minority students in the PRC need to take a HSK exam as one of subjects of college entrance examination.
bababardwan
good point changye.Is it just for the ethnic minority students,and do you know what score they need?
chanelle77
I just read on the BLCU site that for for a bachelor (in Chinese) one needs HSK 3 and for a master level 6. Might be something similar for the minorities I guess...
changye
Hi bababardwan
As far as I know, HSK is for non-native Chinese speakers, which contains ethnic minorities, foreign people, and some overseas Chinese. As for score, I have no idea. Probably chanelle77's guess might be right.
bababardwan
Hi Chanelle,
Thanks for that.For some reason I had the impression that HSK level 3 wasn't that high from a previous discussion on these boards based on what others were saying,but I may be confused.Any idea what that might roughly be equal to on CPod's level testing? Also do you mean for entry into a bachelors degree at Uni,or do you mean for studying Chinese at a uni?
Thanks also Changye.
dahouxiaohou
New HSK 3 is roughly about CPod intermediate level (CEFR level B1)
I'm taking this test in May, I've done the sample papers and found it to be quite easy, especially the listening and reading.
On Cpod I'm of the level that finds int easy, but useful, and up-int as tricky, but doable. If that helps!
bodawei
The test is ostensibly for studying anything other than Chinese language at a Chinese uni, where the classes are mainly in Chinese. I say mainly because quite a few courses in various departments are delivered in English; even more are delivered in Chinese using materials in English. However, it seems to me that the universities do not worry too much about the formality of the HSK, at least for Westerners.
To further clarify, you don't need to do the HSK to commence your study in Chinese language at a Chinese university. They generally have classes for absolute newbies.
bababardwan
March 15, 2010, 12:51 PMgood point changye.Is it just for the ethnic minority students,and do you know what score they need?
matthiask
March 15, 2010, 09:33 AM哈哈
chanelle77
March 15, 2010, 01:05 PMI just read on the BLCU site that for for a bachelor (in Chinese) one needs HSK 3 and for a master level 6. Might be something similar for the minorities I guess...
dahouxiaohou
March 15, 2010, 03:00 PMNew HSK 3 is roughly about CPod intermediate level (CEFR level B1)
I'm taking this test in May, I've done the sample papers and found it to be quite easy, especially the listening and reading.
On Cpod I'm of the level that finds int easy, but useful, and up-int as tricky, but doable. If that helps!
xiaophil
March 15, 2010, 03:55 PMIt feels pretty encouraging if you do well on it. I know that isn't a sophisticated reason, but I think it shouldn't be overlooked.
xiao_liang
One of the best reasons to do something!
xiao_liang
March 15, 2010, 05:47 PMOne of the best reasons to do something!
marktoddson
March 16, 2010, 05:52 AM
I thank all of you for your comments. It always brings up a lot of feelings when I ask about people's thoughts towards the HSK.
Many of us feel it is a must. Of course it is not, but for those who are interested, here is a great site for the New/Revised HSK: http://www.newhsk.blogspot.com
Thanks again for your comments. I am currently using that blog as a resource of Revised HSK only material.
-Mark
bodawei
Hi Mark
That link to the New/Revised HSK is blocked in China - I gather it is not an 'official' HSK site?
bodawei
March 16, 2010, 06:55 AMHi Mark
That link to the New/Revised HSK is blocked in China - I gather it is not an 'official' HSK site?
xiao_liang
March 15, 2010, 01:03 PMHmmn. A brief search of a few job search engines does show up a few that ask for HSK proficiency, but not many. And the ones that do seems to say "or equivalent level".
In fact, careerengine.org (who advertise on chinesepod) don't list any that list HSK as a requirement.
xiao_liang
March 15, 2010, 09:27 AMOh, this reminds me. A really useful addition to this discussion system would be the ability to hide the posts of individual users please.
thanks