Rizzo - you're from Milwaukee right? I remember we talked back and forth on another question a month or two back.
I just finished the HSK level 3 and 4 tests, I'm glad to be done! We should swap some stories on the tests. I am shocked that the TOP needs a 93% to pass, that's nasty.
I just took the new HSK test yesterday in Beijing. I took level 3 and level 4 - the 2 intermediate level tests.
I have been using the beginner level practice tests from this website to prepare for it, and I bought a book with full length old HSK sample tests. In general, they did a good job of preparing me.
From a vocabulary standpoint, the new HSK is a breeze. The levels of 3 and 4 were really different, especially on listening. Level 3 they spoke more slowly, and repeated everything twice. The level 3 characters I had to write from memory were SUPER easy - 家, 会, 花, 讲 and one other.
Even though I took both levels of listening and reading, I only had to take 1 speaking test - the intermediate level. The center I took the test at didn't administer it well. So in my opinion it was tough, and confusing. I didn't know when to start, how much prep time I had, etc. In the end, the preparation time was enough, but the questions were not easy.
My biggest surprise from the whole thing was time. I think they have added an element of time stress to the test. Taking full length practice tests from the older versions of HSK, I always had plenty of time at the end. This time it was not the same, I ran out of time and had to struggle to answer all the questions.
I hope some of this is helpful. I was really anxious about the new test and didn't know what to expect from it. I'll find out in a month how it all went.
I'm currently in Taiwan and I know about the TOP test. Unfortunately, I haven't taken it yet. It is supposed to be similar to the HSK, with the big difference being the traditional characters. You can't even take the HSK here, so the TOP is the standard. They regularly promote it at language schools here also.
My mandarin teacher has prepared many people for the test, and has been teaching it for years. Are there any questions I could ask for you?
By the way, I'm also from Milwaukee! It's a small world, I'm really missing Kopps custard over here.
@chinopinyin - thanks a lot for the link. the thing that is driving me crazy is that the vocabulary (词汇量) for the intermediate test has gone from 5000 on the original test to now 1200 on the new one?
I can't believe the new vocabulary measure. I don't really know how to choose which test to sign up for because I can't be sure.
That's so helpful! Thank you!
Now I live and study in Taiwan, so I can take the test in China easily, the test isn't even offered in Taiwan. I'm not sure which version of the test is best to take.
I have been studying for 1.5 years here in Taiwan. I'd like to test for about 3000 characters. In the original test, the intermediate level is 5000 characters which is too many, but in the revised books I can find, I can take intermediate level tests.
I did some more research and seems there are 3 versions of the test: Original, Revised and New. So, I guess I can take the original or New one in China?
Gail, Thank you again for your help. I hope to figure this out and start focusing on the right test!