The SAT Chinese Subject Test no longer exists. College Board discontinued all SAT Subject Tests in 2021, including the Chinese with Listening test, so there is no “Chinese SAT” to register for or practise today. Students who want to show their Chinese skills to universities now usually take the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam, and some also take HSK, the Chinese proficiency test used by Chinese universities. The regular SAT itself is still offered, but it tests reading, writing and maths in English, not Chinese.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains what happened to the SAT Chinese Subject Test and how students can show their Chinese ability to universities now.
What Was the SAT Chinese Subject Test?
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QISS follows the US standards-based curriculum with AP courses, accredited by WASC and CIS.
See QISS admissions →SAT Subject Tests were one-hour tests in individual school subjects that students could take alongside the SAT. According to College Board’s own explanation of what SAT Subject Tests were, there were 20 tests grouped into five areas: maths, science, English, history and languages. The languages group included a Chinese with Listening test, which checked reading, grammar and listening comprehension in Mandarin.
Some colleges used Subject Test scores for admission, course placement or advice on course selection, and a few programs required them. For students of Chinese, the test was a simple way to show language skill on a US college application.
When Was the Chinese Subject Test Discontinued?
College Board announced on 19 January 2021 that it was discontinuing SAT Subject Tests, effective immediately for students in the United States, with two final administrations in May and June of 2021 for students in international locations. College Board explained that the wide reach of AP courses meant Subject Tests were no longer necessary for students to show what they know.
That means:
- There is no Chinese SAT test date. No Subject Test of any kind has been offered since June 2021.
- Old scores still exist. College Board says students can still send Subject Test scores from earlier administrations, in the same way as SAT scores.
- Practice books for the test are out of date. Any “Chinese SAT practice” material is for an exam that can no longer be taken.
What Students Take Instead: AP Chinese Language and Culture
For most students, the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam has replaced the Subject Test as the main way to show Chinese ability on a US college application. College Board’s AP Chinese course page describes it as equivalent to an intermediate-level college course in Mandarin, typically the third or fourth semester.
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Talk to admissions →AP Chinese differs from the old Subject Test in several ways:
- It follows a full course. Students usually take AP Chinese as a year-long class, although the exam can also be taken without the course.
- It tests all four skills. The exam covers listening, reading, writing and speaking, including conversations and a cultural presentation.
- It can earn college credit or placement. Many universities award credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP scores, depending on each university’s policy.
Our guide to AP Chinese Language and Culture explains the exam format, registration and scoring in detail.
What About HSK?
HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the official Chinese proficiency test for non-native speakers, run through the Chinese Tests Service website. It is used mainly for admission to universities in China and for scholarships, rather than for US college applications. A student who might study in China, or who wants an internationally recognised Chinese certificate, may take HSK as well as AP Chinese.
How Should Students Show Chinese Skills Now?
The right choice depends on where a student plans to apply:
- US universities: take AP Chinese Language and Culture, ideally after a year of the course, and list Chinese courses and activities on the application.
- Universities in China: check whether the program asks for an HSK level, and plan the HSK test date around application deadlines.
- Heritage speakers: native or heritage speakers can still benefit from AP Chinese, because a strong score shows formal reading and writing ability, not only speaking.
- The SAT itself: the regular SAT is still offered and tests reading, writing and maths in English. Our guide to SAT preparation in China covers how to prepare, and our SAT vs ACT guide compares the two tests.
Chinese and AP Courses at QISS
QISS follows a US curriculum with AP courses and is accredited by WASC and CIS. Students study Chinese through our Chinese Language and Culture program, which offers courses for both native and non-native speakers, and they can sit SAT and AP exams on campus at our SAT and AP test center.
Our University and College Admissions Counseling Center helps students plan which tests to take and when. If your family would like to talk about Chinese study and university planning, you are welcome to visit our campus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SAT Chinese Subject Test still offered?
No. College Board discontinued all SAT Subject Tests in 2021, including the Chinese with Listening test, so there is no Chinese SAT test date to register for today.
When was the SAT Chinese Subject Test discontinued?
College Board announced the end of SAT Subject Tests in January 2021. They ended immediately in the United States, and the last international administrations took place in May and June 2021.
What replaced the SAT Chinese Subject Test?
For US college applications, the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is now the main way to show Chinese skills. It tests listening, reading, writing and speaking, and many universities award credit or placement for qualifying scores.
Can I still send old SAT Subject Test scores?
Yes. College Board says students can still send Subject Test scores from earlier administrations, in the same way as SAT scores.
Should I take AP Chinese or HSK?
It depends on where you plan to apply. AP Chinese suits US college applications, while HSK is used mainly for admission to universities in China and for scholarships. Some students take both.
