The HSK consists of HSK (Basic), HSK (Elementary-Intermediate), HSK (Advanced), HSK (for Young Learners), HSK (for Business), HSK (for Secretaries), HSK (for Tourism). The HSK can fulfill the needs of testing and evaluating Chinese language proficiency in world wide.

The HSK (Basic), HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced) are connected on the degree levels. They serve as the examination and evaluation for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners of the Chinese language. They also provide the testing reference to the relating educational institutions and certain organizations. The HSK (for Young Learners) is mainly for the young Chinese language learners under the age of 15. The HSK (for Business), HSK (for Secretaries) and HSK (for Tourism) are formed as the vocational Chinese Proficiency Test, which serves for the related organizations to provide testing reference for the process of policy making when enrolling, selecting and training personnel.

The HSK (Basic), HSK (Elementary-Intermediate) and HSK (Advanced) are primary tests. The HSK (for Young Learners), HSK (for Business), HSK (for Secretaries) and HSK (for Tourism) are secondary or branch tests. Branch tests are the new tests designed and developed from the basis of the main tests, in order to accommodate to the needs of the development of the Chinese language in the world and fulfill the needs of various groups of examinees. The main tests and branch tests are either related or independent. They complement each other. Each test is designed and developed under the fixed standard of the HSK.

With the development and practice of 20 years, the HSK has become a predominant test of bright characteristics. The HSK test has become the first choice of Chinese proficiency adopted by many groups and users worldwide. By the end of 2003, more than 300,000 overseas examinees had taken HSK.