HSK(Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi): how does it actually work? 

The HSK, also known as Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi is the name for the international Chinese standardised test for people whose Chinese language is not their mother tongue. The standardised test was specially designed by the HSK group at Beijing language and culture university. There are currently 2 variants for the HSK test: the oral HSK and the written HSK. The written HSK exam consists of a total of 6 different levels, while the oral HSK exam is divided into 3 levels of the HSK basics. Each level we teach in has a number of specific words that the student needs to know to pass the HSK exam.