<p>Who has taken this exam?
I am a native speaker looking to take this exam (lmao).
But, it's not quite a free 5 as you may think: I speak on the level of a 9 year old and maybe read and write on the level of a 6 year old (meaning about 200 characters out of like 40, 000. But if you know like 1000 you're considered barely literate)
I plan on self-studying Chinese, mostly for my own benefit, but then I got the idea of taking the exam.
Do you think if I can learn about 1000 characters and speak around the level of a 4th or 5th grader, I can get a 5 on the exam?
Thanks for reading.</p>
<p>If you write simplified, then it's probably possible?</p>
<p>Don't ask me though, I'm traditional. I'll probably need 1.5k - 2k.</p>
<p>did you take the exam?
and yeah i'm simplified :D</p>
<p>yes i think you can do it. I know a person who only learned chinese extensively for 1-2 years with no prior experience and got a 5. I also took it myself, so if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help!</p>
<p>i took it and got a 5. the test is not as easy as you may think, it takes serious dedication/preparation. it would also be a good idea to take the class at your high school for a couple years if it is going to be your foreign language.</p>
<p>btw, the speaking portion is a huge part of the test. if you're not competent in that area either get serious about practicing or prepare for failure.</p>
<p>My friend is thinking about taking this exam after three years of the language in high school. She has done well in the class, so should she take the exam?</p>
<p>as for me, our chinese teacher was not qualified at all to teach us, and i'm pretty sure that it's no different at other schools. unless your teacher specifically prepares you for the AP test, you need to to do a lot of self-study</p>
<p>Oh I am competent in the speaking area lol.
Is this done on a computer (Using a piyin program) or is it a pencil and paper test?</p>
<p>the writing portion is done on the comuter with a pinyin program. then you do the speaking portion, which is recorded through a microphone. but quite honestly, if you only know 200 characters i would not waste my time with this test. you need to be considerably fluent with the language to get high marks. if you're happy with a 4 though, i'd say go for it.</p>
<p>I'm going to be taking this exam next year. I'm not worried about the writing part but I am worried about the speaking part ;x I can't speak it! There's no prep book released, is there?</p>
<p>Well I only know 200, but by the end of the year in May I will know at least around 1000.
Is that enough for a 5?
And at dimpleyy: I don't think so, since the exam is so new.
I would try to find a native speaker and communicate with them.</p>
<p>first of all, 800 words in one year is pretty much impossible. sorry to say it, but unless you study like 8 hours a day or something there's no way you're going to memorize 800 characters in one school year. second of all, no, i don't think 1000 characters will be enough for a five, as you simply will not be able to express everything that you'll want to. maybe if you completly rock the oral section and the listening section, but it's still a long shot. </p>
<p>at dimpley, there is a review book from china, everything is in traditional as its made in taiwan, and the practice tests are not accurate at all. i would not reccomend it. as for the speaking portion, there really isn't a quick way that you can improve, as it really is something that is built up over time.</p>
<p>Well I learned 200 in about a month, so I have to disagree with you on the 800 a year is impossible thing. If I spend maybe 20 minutes per day, I know I can do it.</p>
<p>i wish you good luck. you're going to need it.</p>