Test Center
Center for Bridging Cultures has partnered with Chinese Testing International Co., Ltd. (www.chinesetest.cn), a professional international Chinese education and examination service company in Beijing, to create a Chinese Language Learning and Testing Center. We provide the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) and the Youth Chinese Test (YCT).
About HSK
The HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic, and professional lives. The HSK consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. There are six levels of writing tests, namely the HSK (level I), HSK (level II), HSK (level III), HSK (level IV), HSK (level V), and HSK (level VI). There are three levels of speaking tests, namely the HSK (beginner level), HSK (intermediate level), and HSK (advanced level). During the speaking test, test takers’ speeches will be recorded.
| Writing Test | Speaking Test |
| HSK (Level VI) | HSK (Advanced Level) |
| HSK (Level V) | |
| HSK (Level IV) | HSK (Intermediate Level) |
| HSK (Level III) | |
| HSK (Level II) | HSK (Beginner Level) |
| HSK (Level I) |
The different levels of the HSK are similar to some of the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF); details are as follows:
| HSK | Vocabulary | CLPS | CEF |
| HSK (Level VI) | Over 5,000 | Level V | C2 |
| HSK (Level V) | 2500 | C1 | |
| HSK (Level IV) | 1200 | Level IV | B2 |
| HSK (Level III) | 600 | Level III | B1 |
| HSK (Level II) | 300 | Level II | A2 |
| HSK (Level I) | 150 | Level I | A1 |
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level II) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level III) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic, and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese when traveling in China.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level IV) can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level V) can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and plays, and give full-length speeches in Chinese.
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level VI) can easily comprehend written and spoken information in Chinese and can effectively express themselves in Chinese, both orally and on paper.
Our schedule for administrating HSK for the next five tests is as below:
| Date | Registration Deadline | Result Announcing Date | |
| 2024 | December 8 | November 28 | January 8, 2025 |
| 2025 | March 9 | February 28 | April 9 |
| 2025 | April 12 | April 2 | May 19 |
| 2025 | May 17 | May 7 | June 17 |
| 2025 | October 18 | October 8 | November 18 |
Test takers will receive the results for the HSK issued by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation within three weeks after the result announcement.
| HSK TEST FEES | |
| Level | Test Service Fee (As in 2025) |
| HSK Level 1 | 25 |
| HSK level 2 | 35 |
| HSK level 3 | 45 |
| HSK level 4 | 55 |
| HSK level 5 | 65 |
| HSK level 6 | 75 |
| HSK level 7-9 | 156 |
About YCT
The YCT is an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency. It assesses young foreign students’ abilities to use Chinese in their daily and academic lives. The YCT consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. The writing test is divided into four levels, namely, the YCT (level I), YCT (level II), YCT (level III), and YCT (level IV). The speaking test is divided into the YCT (Beginner Level) and YCT (Intermediate Level).
| Writing Test | Speaking Test |
| YCT (Level IV) | YCT (Intermediate Level) |
| YCT (Level III) | |
| YCT (Level II) | YCT (Beginner Level) |
| YCT (Level I) |
The different levels of the YCT are similar to the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF); details are as follows:
| HSK | YCT | Vocabulary | CLPS | CEF |
| HSK (Level VI) | Over 5,000 | Level V | C2 | |
| HSK (Level V) | 2,500 | C1 | ||
| HSK (Level IV) | 1,200 | Level IV | B2 | |
| HSK (Level III) | YCT (Level IV) | 600 | Level III | B1 |
| HSK (Level II) | YCT (Level III) | 300 | Level II | A2 |
| HSK (Level I) | YCT (Level II) | 150 | Level I | A1 |
| YCT (Level I) | 80 |
Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level I) can understand and use some of the most common Chinese phrases and sentences and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level II) can understand and use some simple Chinese phrases and sentences and cope with the basic level of communications.
Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level III), having reached an excellent level in basic Chinese, can communicate on familiar daily topics in a simple manner.
Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level IV) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic, and professional lives. When traveling in China, they can manage most forms of communication in Chinese.
Our schedule for administrating YCT in 2025 is as below:
| Date | Registration Deadline | Result Announcing Date | |
| 2025 | March 9 | February 28 | April 9 |
| 2025 | October 18 | October 8 | November 18 |
Test takers will receive their test results for the YCT issued by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation within three weeks after the test.
| YCT TEST FEES | |
| Level | Test Service Fee (As of 2025) |
| YCT Level 1 | 15 |
| YCT level 2 | 20 |
| YCT level 3 | 25 |
| YCT level 4 | 30 |
| YCT Verbal Test | 20 |
Please contact cbc@cbc-education.org for more details.
