Since the Center's founding, we have been using the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Chinese Proficiency Test to measure the Chinese language levels of international applicants to the HNC. This test has served us well for over 25 years by providing an accurate indicator of whether or not an applicant is prepared for the certificate or MAIS programs. However, based on student and alumni feedback, we will discontinue the use of the CAL test once all of this year's conditionally admitted students have retaken the test in July.
We are therefore excited to announce that we will be transitioning to the Avant Assessment STAMP Chinese Proficiency Test beginning in August in preparation for the 2014 application cycle. A few notes about the STAMP test:
- It's online! Applicants outside of the US will no longer need to worry about shipping costs.
- It's adaptive. Like the CAL, the STAMP will test your reading and listening skills but will adjust to your level depending on your answers to previous questions.
- It's quick. The test takes less than two hours and you will receive your score within two business days. No more waiting several weeks for your test results.
Like the CAL, you will be required to select a proctor (professor, work supervisor, etc) to administer the test. We will send the test link and code to the proctor. They will then observe as you take the test to ensure that no outside resources are used.
We are currently doing extensive testing to determine the STAMP score ranges that will become our new standards for admission, so check back here in the coming months for more information!
