YCT (Youth Chinese Test) - for young learners

The Youth Chinese Test (YCT) is an international standardised Chinese language test. It examines non-native primary and secondary school students' ability to apply Chinese in their studies and daily lives.

It has four levels of writing tests and two speaking levels.

Writing test

The written test is made up of four levels from YCT Level 1 to YCT Level 4.

YCT Level 1:

Intended for young students who:

• have mastered a vocabulary of about 80 words
• understand and use very common Chinese words and sentences

YCT Level 2:

Intended for young students who:

• have mastered a vocabulary of about 150 words
• understand and use very common Chinese words and sentences
• are able to cope with basic level communications

YCT Level 3:

Intended for young students who:

• have mastered a vocabulary of about 300 words
• are able to communicate simply on familiar day-to-day topics
• have reached the primary merit level of Chinese

YCT Level 4:

Intended for young students who:

• have mastered a vocabulary of about 600 words and above
• are able to communicate at a basic level in their daily, academic and personal lives
• are able to manage most forms of communication in Chinese when travelling in China

Speaking test

The oral test includes YCT-speaking (basic) and YCT-speaking (intermediate).

YCT-Speaking (Beginner level)

Intended for young students who:

• have studied Chinese for 1-2 semesters, with 2-3 class hours per week
• have mastered 200 commonly used words related to grammar patterns

YCT-Speaking (Intermediate Level)

Intended for young students who:

• have studied Chinese for more than two semesters, with 2-3 class hours per week
• have mastered 400 commonly used words and related grammar patterns 

View HSK/YCT Test Dates & How to Register