posted by jstoehr on March 8, 2010 | 4 comments
I'm planning to take the HSK test in June of this year. I've heard that the new test has incorporated oral parts for all levels, and there are now also 6 levels (2 beginner, 2 intermediate, 2 advanced) for the new test. Is that right?
According to the MDBG dictionary I use, there used to be 4 levels to the test:
• 甲, 1 or A (Basic - low) = 1033 words
• 乙, 2 or B (Basic - high) = 2018 words
• 丙, 3 or C (Elementary-Intermediate) = 2202 words
• 丁, 4 or D (Advanced) = 3569 words
I have not been able to find information anywhere about the vocabulary lists for each level yet. Do you guys have any information about that?
@jstoehr,
First, are you in China? If you live in china now，you can choose from the old version and the new version. The old version actually just has two exam papars. Your level depends on your mark. It has 11 levels. The six levels are for the new version. If you live abroad now, you will have to take this one. The question types are a bit different, and the standard too.
The standard of the new version is more like European language levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
The 甲乙丙丁 classification is not a level, it's word type.甲级词 is the most often used words and 丁级词 is the least. These words aren't guaranteed to be on the test. And they haven't come out with a new list yet. Which level are you planning to take? Beginner? Intermediate? Or Advanced?
If you have any more questions, you can comment on the site, or send me an email at gail@popupchinese.com.
Gail
That's so helpful! Thank you!
Now I live and study in Taiwan, so I can take the test in China easily, the test isn't even offered in Taiwan. I'm not sure which version of the test is best to take.
I have been studying for 1.5 years here in Taiwan. I'd like to test for about 3000 characters. In the original test, the intermediate level is 5000 characters which is too many, but in the revised books I can find, I can take intermediate level tests.
I did some more research and seems there are 3 versions of the test: Original, Revised and New. So, I guess I can take the original or New one in China?
Gail, Thank you again for your help. I hope to figure this out and start focusing on the right test!
chinopinyin on March 10, 2010 | reply
@jstoehr
You can find mock tests and word lists for the new HSK levels 1 to 6 at http://www.confuciusinstitute.qut.edu.au/study/proficiency.jsp
@popup chinese
Do you plan to provide exercices to help prepare the new HSK? Outside China it is the only possible option
hi chinopinyin,We already have some exercises on the site which follow the new format (i.e. yesterday's HSK test). We're waiting to hear from the HSK before updating wordlists, and at some point will probably have to rename the exercises to differentiate the older test materials from the newer ones.Best,--dave
@chinopinyin - thanks a lot for the link. the thing that is driving me crazy is that the vocabulary (词汇量) for the intermediate test has gone from 5000 on the original test to now 1200 on the new one?
I can't believe the new vocabulary measure. I don't really know how to choose which test to sign up for because I can't be sure.