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 attendance, Saturday 24th May 2025
Registration is open at the University Online Shop!
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)
Test Venue: Computer Room ALG04, Bartolome House, School of Law, Winter Street, S3 7ND.
If your school has arranged the YCT with us, they should have informed you of the test venue, which is likely to be at your school.
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.