HSK Levels and CEFR Levels

Since the company's inception in 2010, AllSet Learning has used the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels for its clients and study materials. CEFR has a great reputation for being practical and descriptive of communicative proficiency (we especially like the "Can Do" statements) while mercifully keeping the leveling and sub-leveling to a minimum. The A1-A2, B1-B2, C1-C2 progression is intuitive and helpful for both learners and educators, and can also be fairly easily converted to the American ACTFL level system.

The current version of the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) dates back to 2010, and was last revised in 2012. It consists of six levels (1-6), and was designed, in part, to correspond to the six CEFR levels. European Chinese language teachers have reported that the correspondence, in practice, is somewhat different, with HSK 6 actually matching no higher than the CEFR B2-C1 level range. Furthermore, the HSK levels are used more as a standard for academic requirements (e.g. being admitted to an undergraduate or graduate program in China) rather than real-life application (the above-mentioned "communicative proficiency").

Our conclusion is that while both leveling systems clearly have their uses, it is not possible to equally accommodate both systems in one list of grammar points. That is why the Chinese Grammar Wiki has created separate listings for CEFR levels and HSK levels. We encourage test-takers of the HSK to refer to the HSK level lists, while learners focused more on real-life communication can benefit more from the CEFR levels. This book focuses on the HSK levels.