Youth Chinese Test (YCT) | 中小学生汉语水平考试
The Youth Chinese Test (YCT) is an international standardised Chinese language test, which is directed at examining non-native primary and secondary school students' ability to apply Chinese language in their studies and daily lives.
Internet-based YCT tests, in-person, Saturday 24th May 2025
Registration will open in early spring—stay tuned!
Test Time:
YCT Level 1, 09:00 (entry / login at 8:30)
YCT Level 2, 09:00 (entry / login at 8:30)
YCT Level 3: 09:00 (entry / login at 8:30)
YCT Level 4: 09:00 (entry / login at 8:30)
YCT speaking, Basic: 11:00 (entry / login 10:30)
YCT speaking, Intermediate: 11:00 (entry / login 10:30)
You can take the test at a local school or at the University of Sheffield. If you are a school teacher, please contact us to discuss and arrange a suitable location
In 2024, YCT Internet-based Test was held on 12th May 2024.
In 2023, YCT Paper-base Test and YCT internet-based Test was held on 13th May 2023.
In 2022, YCT Paper-based Test was held on Thursday 24th March and Saturday 26th March 2022. YCT1-4 all started at 9:00am.
In June 2021, we held a home-edition test. Throughout the time of taking the home-edition YCT test, the school students were able to operate a window-based computer. A second device, such as a smart mobile phone/iPad/Tablet, was set up by an adult at home before the test started.
Fees
Examination fee for written test:
- YCT1: £5
- YCT2: £10
- YCT3: £20
- YCT4: £25
Examination fee for speaking test:
- YCT Speaking (Basic): £10
- YCT Speaking (Intermediate): £10
Youth Chinese Test (YCT) | 中小学生汉语考试
YCT consists of two independent parts: written test and oral test.
The written test is made up of four levels from YCT Level 1 to Level 4.
YCT Level 1: for children who have mastered a vocabulary of about 80. Passed examinees can understand and use very basic Chinese words and sentences, and able to study further Chinese.
YCT Level 2: for children who have mastered a vocabulary of about 150. Passed examinees can understand and use very basic Chinese words and sentences, capable of very basic communication needs.
YCT Level 3: for children who have mastered a vocabulary of about 300. Passed examinees can produce simple and direct communication of their familiar day to day topic, reach the primary merit level of Chinese.
YCT Level 4: for children who have mastered a vocabulary of about 600 and above. Passed examinees can carry out basic communication tasks of life, study and work. They can answer most communication tasks during a travel in China.
The oral test includes YCT-Speaking (Basic) and YCT-Speaking (Intermediate).
An Introduction to the New YCT (in English)
The following table shows vocabulary needed, test duration and passing score:
| Equivalent to HSK | Vocabulary (Words) | Test Duration, Min | Total Score | Passing Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YCT Level 1 | - | 80 | 35 | 200 | 120 |
| YCT Level 2 | HSK Level 1 | 150 | 50 | 200 | 120 |
| YCT Level 3 | HSK Level 2 | 300 | 60 | 200 | 120 |
| YCT Level 4 | HSK Level 3 | 600 | 85 | 300 | 180 |
| YCT Speaking (Basic) | - | 19 | 100 | 60 | |
| YCT Speaking (Intermediate) | - | 21 | 100 | 60 |
Resources
Syllabus, sample papers and online practice | 网上资源
International scholarships
We offer a generous package of financial support for international students, including undergraduate and postgraduate taught scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee.
Applications are open for existing offer holders for programmes starting in autumn 2025.