HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, the Chinese Proficiency Test) has six levels, HSK1-6. The official registration site is chinesetest.cn, run by China's authorised testing agency, available in Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and more.
How to register: create an account on the official site (email suffices) - choose "register for exam" - pick a level (HSK1-6) - pick a test centre (available in 130+ countries; search by country/city) - pay online (fees vary by country; in China, HSK3 costs about 400 yuan, higher levels more).
Format: paper or computer-based at most centres; listening, reading and writing; total time from about 40 minutes at HSK1 to 140 minutes at HSK6.
After the exam: results appear on the official site in about 30 days; certificates (bilingual) are mailed or collected from the centre; scores are valid for two years.
Advice: HSK3 is the common minimum for universities and jobs; exams run many times a year, seats in popular cities fill fast - register 1-2 months ahead.
