Mandarin Proficiency Test

The most widely used Mandarin proficiency test is 

the 汉语水平考试 or HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi). 

The test is used for proficiency certification that 

may be required by Chinese universities and 

professional organizations.

According to The Examiner, China is planning a new 

version of the HSK, although I have heard that the 

"new HSK" has been in use for at least a year now.

Nonetheless, the Examiner article contains some

 interesting comments about the nature of the 

exam and its application in daily life:

"If you pass Level 3 and immerse yourself

in Beijing for months, you will have no problem

interacting with the locals," said Mr Zhou. "

But even if you obtain Level 6, if you are not

soaked in a conducive language environment,

you most probably will still struggle to converse

or read Chinese newspapers."

There are six levels to the HSK, and each level consists 

of a writing test and a speaking test. Level One candidates 

must know 150 words, while the Level Six tests expects a 

knowledge of more than 5,000 words. You can read more 

about the HSK requirements at this link

:http://english.hanban.org/node_8002.htm