HSK and YCT Test
With LCI, anyone is able to sit their HSK or YCT Mandarin Test. Please see details below and each test and how to register. LCI offers classes to help study for both HSK and YCT.
HSK Mandarin test
What is HSK?
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) test is an international standardised exam and China's only official test, which rates Mandarin Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers. It is open to foreign students, overseas Chinese, and members of ethnic minority groups in China, and provides the global standard for Chinese language proficiency from beginner to advanced level.
It also provides a concrete demonstration of your ability to prospective employers, foreign institutions and other international organisations.
The test is administered by Chinese Testing International Co Ltd (CTI), a professional international Chinese education and examination service that is affiliated with the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation and a member of Chinese Plus.
See the table below for more information about the HSK test.
|
Level |
Duration (minutes) |
Total Score |
Passing Score |
|
HSK 1 |
40 |
200 |
120 |
|
HSK 2 |
55 |
200 |
120 |
|
HSK 3 |
90 |
300 |
180 |
|
HSK 4 |
105 |
300 |
180 |
|
HSK 5 |
125 |
300 |
180 |
|
HSK 6 |
140 |
300 |
180 |
What are the benefits of obtaining an HSK certificate?
The HSK is an internationally recognised qualification in Mandarin Chinese. The HSK is similar to TOFEL or IELTS and widens your future employment opportunities in multinational companies. An HSK qualification also gives you opportunities to pursue scholarships or a study placement at a top Chinese university.
How do I register for the HSK test with the Liverpool Confucius Institute?
The University of Liverpool Confucius Institute is an Official HSK Test Centre and holds the HSK Test offline, in-person, paper-based according to the Hanban HSK Test schedule.
1) Purchase the correct HSK test.
2) Download and complete the HSK application form.
3) Email lci@liverpool.ac.uk and attach your completed HSK application form, the electronic receipt for the purchase of your HSK test, a photo of yourself and a colour scan of your passport's photo page.
If you are unable to provide us with a scan of your passport, you are welcome to bring it to the LCI, and we will copy it for you.
Please see our LCI HSK Test Schedule below for full details of examination dates in 2026.
If you have any questions, please email lci@liverpool.ac.uk or ring us on 0151 795 0552.
HSK test schedule
Please note that the LCI office is closed at weekends and bank holidays. When a centralised registration date falls at a weekend or a bank holiday, please ensure you have completed and handed in your paperwork by the Friday morning or the last working day of the week of the deadline, to allow LCI staff to action this, before the deadline. When an exam date falls at a weekend, the test will usually take place within a two-day window on either side of the centralised test date.
|
Date |
Registration Deadline |
Score Announcement |
|
|
1 |
26th Jan 2026 |
17th Dec 2026 |
3rd Mar 2026 |
|
2 |
23rd Mar 2025 |
20th Feb 2026 |
22nd Apr 2026 |
|
3 |
13th Apr 2026 |
13th Mar 2026 |
15th May 2026 |
|
4 |
18th May 2026 |
17th Apr 2026 |
16th Jun 2026 |
|
5 |
29th Jun 2026 |
29th May 2026 |
28th July 2026 |
|
6 |
20th Jul 2026 |
19th Jun 2026 |
19th Aug 2026 |
|
7 |
14th Sep 2026 |
14th Aug 2026 |
19th Oct 2026 |
|
8 |
19th Oct 2026 |
18th Sep 2026 |
17th Nov 2026 |
|
9 |
9th Nov 2026 |
9th Oct 2026 |
7th Dec 2026 |
|
10 |
14th Dec 2026 |
13th Nov 2026 |
15 Jan 2027 |
Examination fee for HSK (written test)
|
Level |
HSK1 |
HSK2 |
HSK3 |
HSK4 |
HSK5 |
HSK6 |
|
Individuals |
20 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
|
Students |
15 |
25 |
35 |
45 |
55 |
65 |
Youth Chinese Test Paper-based (YCT)
What is YCT?
The Chinese Proficiency Test for Primary and Secondary School Students (YCT) is an international standardised test of Chinese language proficiency for primary and secondary school students learning Chinese as a second language. It assesses their ability to use Chinese in daily life and study.
YCT consists of two independent tests: a written test and an oral test. The written test includes YCT Level 1, YCT Level 2, YCT Level 3 and YCT Level 4. The oral test includes YCT Elementary and YCT Intermediate. LCI only provides the service of the YCT written test.
For more information on YCT, please go to the official website.
How do I register YCT tests with Liverpool Confucius Institute?
The University of Liverpool Confucius Institute is an Official YCT Test Centre and holds the YCT Test offline, in-person, paper-based, according to the YCT Test schedule.
1) Purchase the correct YCT test.
2) Download and complete the YCT Registration Form.
3) Email lci@liverpool.ac.uk and attach your completed YCT application form, the electronic receipt for the purchase of your YCT test, a photo of yourself and a colour scan of your passport's photo page.
If you are unable to provide us with a scan of your passport, you are welcome to bring it to the LCI, and we will copy it for you.
Please see our LCI YCT Test Schedule below for full details of examination dates in 2026.
If you have any questions, please email lci@liverpool.ac.uk or ring us on 0151 795 0552.
YCT test schedule
Please note that the LCI office is closed at weekends and bank holidays. When a centralised registration date falls at a weekend or a bank holiday, please ensure you have completed and handed in your paperwork by the Friday morning or the last working day of the week of the deadline, to allow LCI staff to action this, before the deadline. When an exam date falls at a weekend, the test will usually take place within a two-day window on either side of the centralised test date.
|
Date |
Registration Deadline |
Score Announcement |
|
|
1 |
25th May 2026 |
24th Apr 2026 |
24th Jun 2026 |
|
2 |
19th Oct 2026 |
18th Oct 2026 |
17th Nov 2026 |
|
3 |
23rd Nov 2026 |
23rd Oct 2026 |
22nd Dec 2026 |
Examination fee for YCT
|
Level |
YCT1 |
YCT2 |
YCT3 |
YCT4 |
|
Fee |
5 |
10 |
20 |
25 |