Chinese Language Proficiency | Hopkins-Nanjing Center

To apply for any HNC program, you must provide Chinese reading and listening proficiency test results from one of the following language assessments: STAMP, HSK, ACTFL, CEFR, or ILR. Writing and speaking assessments may be taken into consideration, but reading and listening proficiency results are still required. Test results must be from within the last 12 months, and available for review before the application deadline. If you have not yet taken any of these tests, you can request to take the STAMP test via the online application. 

Recommended Chinese Benchmark Levels

Most incoming HNC students have completed 3-4 years of undergraduate Chinese language study. For the HNC Certificate, an Intermediate-High level is recommended, equivalent to HSK 5. For the MAIS, a score in any Advanced level is recommended, equivalent to HSK 6. Applicants scoring below these levels might still be admitted but will need to complete additional Chinese language study before enrollment. Your language background will be taken into consideration in addition to your language assessment results. 

Requesting the STAMP Test and Receiving Results

We offer the STAMP Chinese proficiency test as a language assessment for any applicant who has not yet taken an equivalent exam at the time of application. The test is a convenient online option that takes about 2 hours to complete and can be proctored virtually or in person. Test takers complete the reading and listening sections only and receive a Benchmark Level score for each section. These scores are categorized into three major levels (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced), each with three sub-levels (low, mid, high). 

For any applicant interested in taking the STAMP test to gauge their language proficiency, you need to start an application to any one of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center Programs here, and indicate your intended test date on the Chinese Proficiency Tab of the application. You will then receive an email containing testing instructions and fee payment information. After completing the test, notify the admissions office at [email protected] so that we can retrieve your test results and link them with your application. The test must be completed before the application deadline. 

In-Person Proctoring

Cost: $15
Applicants should find a proctor who will agree to administer the test. Anyone in a professional capacity (not a friend or a family member) can serve as a proctor. Professors, work supervisors, university administrators and librarians are all suitable choices to proctor a STAMP test. Test materials will be emailed directly to the proctor, so be sure to include the proctor's current email address.

Virtual Proctoring

Cost: $40
You will schedule a testing date/time with the virtual proctoring service provided, and ultimately have 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete the test. If you require a testing accommodation for additional time, please email us at [email protected] at least 2 days before your scheduled test date.