The HSK test, which is abbreviated form the Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎo​shì​ is the only standardized test of Standard Mandarin Chinese proficiency for non-native speakers in China. Non native speakers include foreigners, overseas Chinese and members of ethnic minority groups in China.

 The HSK test was developed by Peking University. Just like the English TOEFL, its certificate is valid in China. There are basically 3 test formats- HSK Basic, HSK Elementary/ Intermediate and HSK Advanced.

 The content of test for both Basic and Elementary/Intermediate HSK includes four sections- listening comprehension, grammar structures, reading comprehension, and written expressions, while the Advanced HSK has two more portions- spoken and written.