HSK results online

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations!

Not sure if you did the "old" HSK in the past, but if so, could you say something about how these 2 compare? :-)

For any Brisso's who may be interested, I've heard it will actually be more like October rather than August that it'll first be offered here.

awesome,thanks again chanelle. I don't know whether to do it now as a baseline,or do it closer to the time I feel I'm ready to sit. I don't know if there is more than one practice test at each level in the new format.

baba have you seen the download link? http://www.chinesetesting.cn/godownload.do you can find a sample test for all new levels....

Hey that's great chanelle. Thanks heaps. I can't help but be a little curious about this Youth Chinese Test. I noticed that for the first time the other day and now I see it's turning up on your first link. I know it's not what I'm after myself but as I said I'm curious....anyone out there done this test or had kids who have done it?

More info here:

http://www.chinesetesting.cn/gosign.do?id=1&lid=0#

The isbn numbers for the books (scroll down it is in German, sorry bout that)

http://www.chinaboard.de/ft/viewtopic.php?p=26111

http://konfuzius-institut-hamburg.de/index.php?29&tx_mjseventpro_pi1[showUid]=168

And here on Chinese amazon: http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B0036ORAN2?ver=gp cheaper than buying it in a store (in China).

:-)

hey ,just having more of a squizz at that list I see stuff in level 6 I know which is nice and yet I didn't know the 3rd character in the level 3 list: 炼

..seems what I know is all over the shop, so I think this will be a good exercise in filling those gaps. Looking further it looks like both of those examples are the exception..most level 3 stuff looks easy enough and I think it's only the rare word in level 6 I've struck

thanks heaps mark. I hadn't heard them called bubble tests before but knew immediately what you meant and this would be a lot easier. I guess I should learn to write anyhow. The vocab lists I am highly interested in. Thanks so much for sharing with your link. I take it this level 3 list you have is hsk level 3 testing. I was encouraged to see I knew the first character having only learnt it in the last few days when I was discussing snowboarding :单板滑雪

Actually that list doesn't look too bad but I'm going to have to get out of the habit of using my rollover to double check stuff. I need to be more sure of the characters without that crutch.

Mark, that is a very useful link, thank you for sharing!

I took the old HSK and plan to take the new one. I have seen some sample tests online. My impression is most of the "written" test is still a bubble test, but there is a short section that requires writing by hand, at least, at the upper levels. With some googling around I found the vocabulary lists that someone had scanned in from a book and have been in the process of entering these in UTF-8 format: http://huamake.com/1to6Lists.htm At the moment I still have not entered the level 1 and level 2 lists. Perhaps, this will be of some help to you.

thanks heaps again chanelle. Yeah, I certainly don't expect you to look anything up for me. My q's are more for those times the answers right off the top of your head or at your fingertips. You've been a terrific help. Cheers :)

1) need to look that up for you

2) bought them, but no time to read them (yet), the new tests is dec, so I have some time left :-)

3) much cheaper! some books are 1/10 -1/20 of the price in dollars / eur in China

thanks heaps for your very helpful reply as always. Yeah, I suspected that site wasn't current. Funnily enough I got there via a link from the local uni's 2010 webpage advertising they'd be offering it here this year. I should let them know of the new site. Did you hear when the websites changed over by any chance? [not that it matters I guess...just curious]. Even this current site you've linked me to which certainly appears up to date..having 2010 on the calendar, lists the site down the bottom as 2005-2008...not really sure what that means exactly. Thanks for the link to all those books. Wow, such a lot of choice. Yeah, I guess I'd be more interested in the ones specifically written for the new style tests.

There are new style HSK books published as we spreak and I have ordered one complete serie

..were they in your link? If not ,does anyone know the best book/s for the new test?

but quickly glanced at it. I did not really do the mock tests.

...did you not like that book or you just didn't get around to it?

if you have the chance to buy them in China or have someone bring them to you

...why do you suggest this? Can they not be ordered over the internet?

Thanks heaps chanelle . Sorry about so many questions. Don't feel obliged to answer . In the main I'm throwing the questions open to anyone who is kind enough to share their insights.

Hey Baba, that is the old site :-) It is quite confusing I must admit and I later found out there are two websites. Go to http://www.hsk.org.cn/ and you will see two pictures, pick the left one. This should lead to http://www.hsk.org.cn/Index_E.aspx However more info is on the Chinese website and you can use Google translate for that or if you have Chrome you can choose to translate it. There is quite some info on that site and take your time to read it.

For the books: I can only give you advice on the old style books and I like the Sinolingua ones: http://210.72.20.211:3041/en/bookc2.cfm?sCid=EN07&sModule=HSK here you find them I used the black red (basic) book and I liked it and continued with the Elly / Int. But, I think you cannot go very wrong with any HSK book with mock tests. There are new style HSK books published as we spreak and I have ordered one complete serie, but quickly glanced at it. I did not really do the mock tests. However that seemed relatively easy compared to my Elly Int Sinolingua book or the actual HSK tests I took :-) (if you have the chance to buy them in China or have someone bring them to you)

Oh yes, pick one with the cd / mp3 so you can simulate the actual exam. The sound quality today was horrible and the Beijing accents can be quite difficult if you used to a different accent.

Let me know if you have any questions: happy to help!

thanks chanelle,

I'm just trying to suss out the recommended books and resources. I presume it's all on the site right? Any you'd particularly recommend? Is this:

http://www.hsk.org.cn/english/

..still the current official site?...the home page keeps mentioning 2007.

Hey Baba, I have done the old one and not the new one (yet) however), it seems the new one is easier. There are books out there with mock tests for the news style. I have those books and must agree it looks less complex. In December I can tell you all about it!

So it looks like half the test is written.Aiya. Does that mean writing in hanzi for the whole of the written part? Reading and typing ok, but I never write basically so I'd be at the very newbie stage there. Good incentive to start I guess.

Has anyone done the old hsk and the new? If so ,how do they compare. I did read here that the old had more levels. I'm interested in format changes and particularly the specifics of the current format. The word document linked to on the above site doesn't go into the specifics.

I already gave up the idea of peeling off papers and advertisement stickers glued on the door.

Yes, this is a very interesting cultural difference, maybe that would make a nice topic for a lesson. What to do when you find a paper glued to your front door!

Probably same with me, however, I wanted to check if my score changes when I manage my time better. Last time I was so overwhelmed that I guessed 1/3 of the questions and randomly filled out a b c or d. I came to the conclusion, when in doubt go for C and / or longest answer! :-)

Hi chanelle77

Never in Japan. That said, interestingly, a lot of Japanese people hang a nameplate on the door or a gatepost, mainly for the sake of mail carriers, and some even show the names of all family members, which is just unbelievable for Chinese people.

I'm sitting this one out. I kind of wanted to take it again, but didn't want to pay for another sign of little progress.

Hahaha, actually that is a great idea. However I'm afraid "they" will bother me with our unpaid utility bills. Now they just glue them on the door (when they see the laowei) Only possible in the land with zero privacy!). I take it this is not common practice in Japan as it is in Europe?!

HI chanelle77

Just hang it on the front door of your house, hehe.

I take it that's the elementary-intermediate? If so, I must admit I'm a bit jealous :). At any rate, good job!

well done!!!

Wow! Congratulations!

thanks, i am about 60 lessons into ntermediate, so i will geuss another year before i will take it, there is no rush.

I agree with xiaophil!

Solidly intermediate is my feeling, but just a feeling.

>>but what can one do?!

没办法吧。

恭喜考得很好！Maybe some day I'm ready to try the HSK test too. Some day in the far future...

No acting is required; they are far too good for me. They take their lessons seriously. What I did say a lot was .. 好球 hǎoqiú (good shot!)

压线 yāxiàn (on the line, in)

出界 chūjiè (over the line, outside)

Don't you just need these words for tennis

你不可能serious

and

球was in.....

combine that with lobbing the racquet occasionally and loud grunts and I think we got it. 　That is if wimbledon has taught me anything.

Yes I agree :-)

But why 150, 300 (& 600?) Especially the first levels are a bit silly if you ask me.... I understand the rationale, but I do not agree with it... but what can one do?!

>>I find it a bit odd: for me it would be more logical to have something like 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, big gap between the last 2 levels.>>

I guess it's related to the diagram that shows "understanding a certain amout of words in a text you read" vs. "the number of characters you know". I couldn't find the link to it now though. The idea is that it makes a big difference between knowing 1000 characters or 2000 characters. On the other hand, knowing 5000 characters or knowing 6000 characters doesnt make a big difference since the extra 1000 characters you know are probably very rare.

I think that the 关系 situation is being re-evaluated. They have hit the F9 button so to speak

lol...sorry for laughing mate...thats funny. Do you need to let 'em win to give face or something? Call out a loud 内 [how do you call 'em "in" in Chinese?...or do they use a different word altogether like 行...and 不行 ？] every once in a while to ones obviously out.

Barbs, I play a social game. Actually I have not been invited for some time now; I think that the 关系 situation is being re-evaluated. They have hit the F9 button so to speak.

Ha, ha, you are a funny man. 粉笔灰尘!

playing tennis 150!!....isn't it all just grunts and 粉笔灰尘 mate?

What about estimating the number of words required for certain activities:

Getting the bus - none

Paying the phone bill - 3 - 5 words required

Getting a taxi home - 10 words max.

Having a meal at a restaurant - 20 words (including 厕所在哪儿？)

Shopping for fruit and vegies - 30

Playing tennis - 150

Having a conversation in the staff room - about 1,000

more or less doubling of the words required for each level. So if you have 10,000 words under you're belt you could say that out of a possible maximum of level 6 ,you're a 7.

Mark, I saw the same thing for Holland. Btw: have you seen this table?

5. Which level should I choose?

Answer: Please judge your individual situation and decide the level you would like to sit for.New HSK’ s requirements for vocabulary are as follows:

Level 1: 150 words, Level 2: 300 words, Level 3: 600 words,

Level 4: 1200 words, Level 5: 2500 words, Level 6: 5000 words

I find it a bit odd: for me it would be more logical to have something like 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, big gap between the last 2 levels.

Did you have a chance to look at preparation material? I have the 1-6 level books at home, if you have a question do not hesitate to ask!

If I had to choose, I would go for level 5 now.

I am told that going forward, only the new HSK will be offered in the San Francisco area (maybe all of the US). The scary thing is you need to pick the level that you can pass, rather than letting the test pick a level for you. I plan to give it a try this fall, but haven't decided what level to try for, yet.

Bodawei ty! There are 6 levels of the old elly int exam starting at 3 ending at 8.

First three levels are elementary, next two intermediate. So according to the HSK test I am a low Elly.

However the new tests only has 6 levels in total in stead of the 11. I think that RJBerki posted a nice link somewhere with the differences...

So I as at the Elly / Int one and had a chance to pass 3 at a minimum (or fail if I did not reach that level) or 4,5,6,7, or 8 depending on how well I scored.

More info here: http://www.hsk.org.cn/intro/HM_E.html

To be honest: I ran out of time on most parts and guessed 1/3 of the exam and wrote only 1 out of 20 characters :-). So what I did, I did well, the rest is probability....

Hope that makes any sense? :-)

I envy you for writing characters from memory: I really suck at writing :-)

Thanks Baba! Here are the isbn numbers of two books I use for prep: 9787800527784 and 9787801849472.

I heard the rationale for changing was to make it more accessible for foreigners and better adjusted to a western way of testing.

However I have the new test prep books and not sure what to think of it. It seems much easier but as stanrachev pointed out, it is a pass of fail and has no sliding scale as the old one....

let me know if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them :-)

In Japan you have several chances every year. This year--not sure how many have already taken place--it's 6(+?) chances for Tokyo and Osaka. Looks like other major cities including one location each in southernmost Okinawa and northernmost Hokkaido still get 4(+?) chances.

oh I did not know that?! yes I think outside China, you only have 1 chance per year to do the exam. I noticed that in Holland for instance they only offer the "new" exam and once per year!

i took the new one in april, it was the only one offered here, maybe it varies with country. i agree it seems easier, but the problem is there are no subgrades, it's pass/fail at 60%. so even though i'm probably at elementary A/ intermediate C on the old scale i don't get anything.

Yes, there are 4 old ones in apr, jun, oct and one I forgot. The one in December is the new format, I just had a look at the prep books and it seemed much easier than the old one!

Go for it! I figured that you learn something from it either way (even when you do not pass it is a good experience and you get used to the testing environment).

Please note that if you want to go for it in June, that is if you are in China you have to register this week: bring id, 2 passport photo's, 250 RMB and the registration form :-)

Good luck and keep us updated!

:-)

What I did was the old HSK exam. And yes you had to write characters for this one (that was something I am / was really afraid of). You had to fill in 20 characters and to be honest I only wrote one. I did not really learn how to write over the past two years and focused on speaking and listening as that is most useful in daily life in China.

Main reason was to set a benchmark for myself and second I maybe want to continue Chinese studies in one way or the other and this might come in handy :-). Also I went with my friend and we had lots of fun. Also we had a bet: pass = champagne !!!!