As a westerner, one has to study chinese every day the whole day for several years to pass even the lowest level.
The unfair thing about it is, that some koreans and japanese (no offense) can pass it, without being able to speak a single word mandarin. It gives no evidence about the real skills of someone's mandarin skills.
And for those of you who want to take it in China: Be prepared, the test organization is about as strict as that of the former imperial exams. >:-)
Posted on: Taking the HSK
May 27, 2009 at 1:28 AMMake no mistake, the HSK test is very difficult.
As a westerner, one has to study chinese every day the whole day for several years to pass even the lowest level.
The unfair thing about it is, that some koreans and japanese (no offense) can pass it, without being able to speak a single word mandarin. It gives no evidence about the real skills of someone's mandarin skills.
And for those of you who want to take it in China: Be prepared, the test organization is about as strict as that of the former imperial exams. >:-)