Where does the recognition come from for being awarded the title of "Outstanding HSK Test Center" for three consecutive years?

The 2025 evaluation covered 1,416 Chinese language test centers across 166 countries and regions worldwide. Instead of focusing on the performance of individual test sessions, the assessment examined test centers’ overall annual operations, including:

• the total number of candidates served throughout the year
• standards of test administration and procedural compliance
• technical execution and examination security
• outreach, promotion, and event organisation capacity

In this evaluation cycle, only 60 test centers globally were selected for recognition. GCI was among this group.

If there is a common thread behind three consecutive years of recognition, it lies in treating examination administration as a long-term, sustainable public service that requires continuous refinement.

As a key Chinese Proficiency Test Center in the Netherlands, GCI has long administered both HSK (written proficiency tests) and HSKK (oral proficiency tests). Beyond serving learners from Groningen, Amsterdam, and surrounding cities, the center has increasingly attracted candidates from neighbouring countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

For many learners, GCI may not always be the geographically closest test center, but it is a location known for regular availability, clear procedures, and dependable organization.

Looking at the year through concrete figures offers a clearer picture.

Starting in March 2025, GCI, as an HSK test center, introduced the combined administration of HSK Level 3 and above with the corresponding HSKK oral examinations for the first time. Over the course of the year, more than ten combined HSK and HSKK sessions were successfully delivered, in both internet-based and paper-based formats.

Examinations were conducted in multiple cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Nijmegen, Zwolle and other regions, serving a total of 824 candidates throughout the year.

Internet-based examinations were all held at the Amsterdam teaching site. In total, 8 HSK and HSKK computer-based test sessions were organized, with 186 candidates, including 116 HSK and 70 HSKK examinees.

Paper-based examinations included 8 HSK paper tests and 6 HSKK paper tests, with 638 candidates in total, comprising 529 HSK and 109 HSKK examinees.

Despite relatively constrained resources, the test center maintained a high examination frequency and service quality, fully aligning with the requirements of Chinese Testing International and enabling candidates to complete a systematic assessment of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

A smooth examination experience is built upon numerous details that often go unnoticed. In practice, GCI consistently adheres to the following principles:

• all invigilators are officially certified
• examination procedures strictly follow Chinese Testing International regulations
• after each exam session, the entire team conducts a prompt internal review, identifying issues and optimising processes
• candidates receive clear and continuous support, from registration and test day logistics to certificate collection

It is precisely this sustained attention to procedures and details that has gradually built a strong sense of trust among candidates.

In European countries where Chinese is not a compulsory or mainstream language, the HSK remains highly relevant. For overseas learners, the HSK is not merely an exam, but a widely recognized reference framework for Chinese language proficiency:

[1] Higher education and scholarships:
HSK and HSKK results remain key reference criteria for applications to leading Chinese universities and Confucius Institute scholarship programmes.

[2] Career development and institutional recognition:
In Sino-Dutch and broader Sino-European educational and professional exchanges, the HSK serves as a commonly accepted benchmark of Chinese proficiency.

[3] Teaching and curriculum alignment:
For teachers and partner institutions, the HSK level system supports curriculum design and learning outcome evaluation.

For these reasons, stable, professional, and trustworthy test centers are of particular importance to both learners and educational institutions.

Being recognized as an “Outstanding HSK Test Center” for three consecutive years is both an honour and a reminder. It underscores that what truly matters is not whether an exam can be organized once, but whether it can be delivered consistently, reliably, and sustainably over time.

Beyond examination administration, GCI continues to strengthen its learning support system. For learners with different backgrounds and goals, the Institute offers one-to-one customized exam preparation, including targeted training and mock tests for both HSK and HSKK. This integrated “examination + teaching” model has become a key focus of ongoing optimization in recent years.

Standing at this new milestone, GCI will continue to use the HSK as a central platform to deepen cooperation with Chinese Testing International, overseas universities, and Chinese language educators, further enhancing both examination services and academic support.

We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to all GCI teachers for their dedication, to our candidates for their trust and feedback, and to our partner institutions for their continued support.

For inquiries or additional information regarding HSK and HSKK, please contact hsktest@confuciusgroningen.nl