HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test)

As mentioned in a previous post, I graduated high school in China. We studied HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, Chinese proficiency test) in every Chinese class in high school, and the final exams were based on mock tests of actual HSK tests. HSK is the official language proficiency test issued by the Chinese government, containing six levels. A higher number means a higher level of proficiency. Nevertheless, I took no official test proving my Chinese proficiency until graduation because applying to American colleges was unnecessary.

After a year in college, I took semesters off to join the military as a mandatory service. While researching information about the military, I realized I could serve as a military intelligence if I had a certain level of HSK scores. However, once I realized it was too late to study it by the enlisting day I planned. I applied for the general application and served in another position.

In the military, I thought about what I could achieve for the rest of two years and decided to study Chinese again to get an official HSK score because I believed if I did not study in the military, I would never study it again in a busy college life. Considering my environment and current Chinese level, I studied HSK level V. I purchased books and studied them as long as they did not affect military working schedules. After studying for a couple of months, I asked HR for a vacation to take a test. I took a test at a test center in Seoul, South Korea, and I passed it. This experience brought me great achievement in a limited environment.