Manitoba Academy of Chinese Studies

Test Structure

The new YCT is an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency. It assesses young foreign students’ abilities to use Chinese in their daily and academic lives. The new YCT consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. The writing test is divided into four levels, namely, the YCT (level I), YCT (level II), YCT (level III), and YCT (level IV). The speaking test is divided into the YCT (Beginner Level) and YCT (Intermediate Level).

Test Levels

The different levels of the new YCT are similar to some of the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF); details are as follows:

Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level I) can understand and use some of the most common Chinese phrases and sentences and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.

Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level II) can understand and use some simple Chinese phrases and sentences and cope with basic level communications.

Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level III), having reached an excellent level in basic Chinese, can communicate on familiar daily topics in a simple manner.

Test takers who are able to pass the YCT (Level IV) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic and professional lives. When travelling in China, they can manage most forms of communication in Chinese.

Test Principles

The new YCT aims to improve Chinese language learners’ self-confidence and follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”. It bases the design of the test on current trends in international Chinese language training and is closely related to textbook learning procedures. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.

Test Purposes

The YCT is intended for students whose mother tongue is not Chinese. The results of the test can serve various purposes:

1. A method for Chinese language learners to assess and improve their proficiency in Chinese.
2. A reference for Chinese language training in schools.
3. A method for Chinese language training institutions to evaluate training results.
4. A benchmark for students who want to participate in the HSK test.

Results Certificate

Test takers will receive their test results for the new YCT issued by Hanban within three weeks after the test.

The BCT consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. The writing test is divided into two levels, namely, the BCT (A), and the BCT (B). The different levels of the BCT can meet some of the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF), as well as HSK and YCT levels; details are as follows:

Capability Description

Test takers who are able to pass the BCT (A) can understand and use the Chinese language to accomplish the tasks of daily communication and basic business communication.

Test takers who are able to pass the BCT (B) can understand and use the Chinese language to complete more complex business communication tasks.

Test takers who took the BCT (Oral), can understand and use the Chinese language to complete kinds of different business communication tasks, and therefore their language competence can be divided into five proficiency levels.

Test Principles

Promote learning through examination: encourage Chinese language learners’ interest and confidence, and further broaden the scope of the test in accordance with the actual demands of overseas Business Chinese learners and Chinese speakers in a general working environment.

Promote teaching through examination: provide teachers and self-learners with graded, task-based teaching resources and suggestions related to business Chinese, and help teaching and training institutions systematically and effectively improve business Chinese learners and speakers’ abilities to use the Chinese language in real business or common working environments.

Provide positive feedback for test takers: evaluate test takers’ ability to complete various language tasks by asking them to carry out a series of typical business language tasks and provide positive feedback for Chinese language learners to plan their future studies.

Test Purposes

BCT test results provide reference to following purposes:

1.Provide a basis for employers to assess non-native Chinese speakers’ (candidates) Chinese competence in daily work. Test scores can be used as a reference for employee recruitment, selection, placement and promotion.

2. Help relevant teaching and training institutions to assess students’ business Chinese proficiency in recruitment, class divisions, and granting credits.
3. Help learners to improve and evaluate and improve their business Chinese competence.

Results Certificate

Test takers will receive their test results for the BCT issued by Hanban after one month after the test. In the meantime, test takers will be allowed to inquire their scores on website www.chinesetest.cn.