What are exam or test options for a 13 year old student?

[fablau]

Hello everyone.

 

My daughter is 13 years old (7th grade) and she has studied chinese with a private teacher for the past 4 years. She's still a beginner, but I am wondering if exists a way for her to take an exam, or a test somewhere, to assess her level and earn some credits for what she has learned so far, that can be used for college when the time will come.

 

I heard about the HSK test, but I am not sure that would work for college credits.

 

Any advice and suggestions are very welcome!

 

Thank you in advance to anyone.

 

Best,

Fab.

[Geiko]

Both HSK and TOCFL offer exams for children, have a look at YCT ( http://www.chinesetest.cn/gosign.do?lid=0 ) for a simplified test, and at CCCC ( http://cccc.sc-top.org.tw/en/cccc_index.html ) if you want it in traditional charaters.

Edit: as for which Chinese language cerificates can give her college credits, I guess it will depend on each university.

[ChTTay]

You can do a GCSE (or iGCSE) in Chinese. It's usually for 16 year old's but ... I think mostly it's completed after 2 years of study.  Perhaps you could find some practice tests online and see how she does.

[fablau]

Thank you very much to you both for your replies. I actually forgot to tell you that I am in the US, therefore I am looking for options on my country. Do your suggested options apply in the US as well?

 

As for university credits, I forgot to additionally simply ask this: are there any test/exams that can provide a simple transcript which can be used toward college credits?

 

Thank you again very much.

[ChTTay]

"Do your suggested options apply in the US as well?"

iGCSE is an international qualification. Id google it for better info. Same goes for the HSK/YCT.

[curry]

If you are looking for an exam that can provide college credits within the US, you may want to consider the AP Chinese exam. However, it is only offered once every spring, and it is usually taken by high school students, though I don't think that there would be an issue with a middle school student taking the exam. Some universities in the US will give college credit in Chinese courses for a high score on the AP Chinese exam.

[oceancalligraphy]

The only exams in the U.S. that could give college credits are the Advanced Placement exam or the International Baccalaureate exam. These exams are given in the high school years, but not all schools have the courses or exams. The exams test at first year college level. 

 

https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-chinese-language-and-culture

 

The HSK and TOCFL (and the children's versions) are appropriate for testing or finding out the level of comprehension. But testing for college credit is different.

[fablau]

Thank you for your replies, really appreciated!

 

To YST: Are you saying that both HSK and TOCFL tests are not "usable" for regular US university credits? In any way?

[oceancalligraphy]

I've never heard of the HSK or TOCFL being used for U.S. university credits. I don't see why they would. The organizations giving the exams are based in China for the HSK and Taiwan for TOCFL. The exams are necessary for foreigners applying to universities in those countries to show they can perform at that language. 

[fablau]

Thank you YST for your reply. Ok, so, if that's the case, there are really no more options besides the ones you already suggested (Advanced Placement exam or the International Baccalaureate exam) to get US university credits for having studied Chinese for 4 years with a private teacher?

[oceancalligraphy]

Those are the only ones I know of.

[ChTTay]

It would look pretty good on the application anyway, regardless of credits or not. It would look even better if you could back it up with a certificate like those listed above.

 

University credits aren't everything. Is this the main motivation for studying Chinese?

 

Where does your daughter study? If she studies in her school or in 'a' school then you could ask them about it.

[Shelley]

Can't the private teacher help? I would expect them to know either which exams fit the bill or where to find out.

[fablau]

It would look pretty good on the application anyway, regardless of credits or not. It would look even better if you could back it up with a certificate like those listed above.

 

 

Yes, that may be a good option indeed!

 

 

Can't the private teacher help?

 

 

Good question! My daughter studied privately with a teacher from Taiwan who knows very little about the US school system, that's why I am asking around. She's unable to give us any advice about all this.

 

Of course my daughter hasn't studied Chinese just for college credits (!!), but that would be a nice thing additionally to all other benefits.

 

Thank you again for your help, appreciated. It is my understanding that there isn't a straight-forward way to get college credits by taking an exam or test somewhere, here in the US, for a 13-years-old kid.

 

If anyone else has any more ideas, please let me know!

 

Thanks to everyone again.

[Flickserve]

At 13 years old, what other subjects can you do that give college credits ?