HSK (Basic) is a standardized test designed for beginners. It is most appropriate for those who have acquired 400-3000 basic Chinese words (referring to level A and B in the Outline of HSK Grammar).

1. Function of the Certificate of HSK Basic:

The Certificate of HSK Basic includes three levels, i. e. level A, B and C. (level A is the highest, equivalent to level C of the Certificates will be awarded to those who have secured the minimum required scores. 

The certificate of HSK Basic serves:

(1) As a requirement to enter a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture or Western medicine (Level A only).

(2) To exempt students from taking certain language courses in China.

(3) As an exemption of language testing for hiring decisions for positions requiring basic competence in Chinese.

2. HSK (Basic) scoring system:

(1) A sub score of HSK Basic is a graduated score ranging from 0 to 100 with 50 as the mean and 20 as the standard deviation.  The total score, which is the sum of graduated scores for subs cores, is a graduated score ranging from 0 to 300. The scale subscores show the relative position of a candidate in a standard HSK Basic sample group.  Table 1.1 gives the percentile of graduated subs cores.  The second row indicates the percentage occupied by those whose scores are lower than the corresponding scores in the standard HSK Basic reference group.

Table 1.1

Subs core	100	76	67	60	55	50	45	40	33	24
Percentage	100	90	80	70	60	50	40	30	20	10

Table 1.1 Percentile of subs cores of HSK Basic
Table 1.1 Percentile of subs cores of HSK Basic

Table 1.2

Types and Grade		Grade Level	Score Range
Types	Grade
Basic Level	C	Level 1	100-154
	B	Level2	155-209
	A	Level3	210-300

 
Table 1.2 HSK Types and Grades of the Basic Certificate

(2)The type and grade of HSK Basic is based on the total score. Table 1.2 explains the type and grade of the certificate.

(3) Requirements to obtain HSK Basic certificate

The candidate must secure the total minimum score required for the corresponding level.

3. Description of the level scoring system of HSK Basic:
HSK Basic has three score level ranging from 1 to 3:
Level 1 Has basic competence (Low) in Chinese. Able to handle simple, elementary needs in very familiar situations.  Any person having mastery of 600 Chinese words and certain rules of grammar can reach this standard which is also the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade C.

Level 2 Has basic (Mid) in Chinese. Able to partially satisfy the requirements of basic communicative exchanges. Level 2 is the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade B.

Level 3 Has basic competence (High) in Chinese. Level 3 is the minimum level in Chinese proficiency for a candidate to be admitted to a college or university in China as an undergraduate student in the field of science, engineering, agriculture, or Western medicine as well as the standard for obtaining the certificate of HSK Basic Grade A, which is equivalent to Grade C of HSK Elementary.

4. Components and test length of HSK(Basic):

HSK Basic is a 140-item, 135-minute test. HSK Basic is divided into three subtests: Listening, sentence structure and reading. All item are multiple-choice. During the time allowed for each section, examinees must work on that section only and are not permitted to work beyond the time limit for the section. Examinees are also not permitted to turn to a section that has not been announced or go back to an earlier section. The test is taken in this order:

First SectionListening50 itemsapproximately 35 minutes

Second Section  Sentence Structure 40 items 40 minutes

Third Section   Reading50items 60 minutes