Factors Influencing Selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Forms by Students in Chinese Program, Faculty of Education Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage

Abstract

The research was done by 2 purposes.  The first purpose was to study about factors influencing selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) forms by students in Chinese program, faculty of education, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage. The second purpose was to create guidelines for anyone who has to select Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) forms. The sample group selected for this study was the undergraduates. There were 78 students from the first-year students, the second-year students, the third-year students, the fourth-year students and the fifth-year students chosen by simple random sampling. The research instrument was questionnaire titled as “Factors Influencing Selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Forms by Students in Chinese Program, Faculty of Education, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage”.

The results show that factors influencing selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) forms by students in Chinese program, faculty of education, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage are at high level, overall. The first factor influenced the most was knowledge of Chinese vocabulary which was averaged at 4.15 (S.D. = 0.94) or 83%, the second was duration of time to finish each level of Chinese Proficiency Test which was averaged at 4.14 (S.D. = 0.81) or 82.8% and the factor influenced the least was writing Chinese alphabets which was averaged at 3.45 (S.D. = 1.17) or 69%, respectively. An analysis of open-ended questions indicated that test forms are factors influencing selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) because 2 forms of the test had both good point and bad point. The advantage of the written test format is that test takers can manage their time. You can go back and do any exceptions, the downside is that the written exam takes time to write Chinese characters. If unable to write Chinese characters Will lose this part of the score. The advantage of the internet exam format is that it saves time when taking the exam. Do not waste time writing Chinese characters, the disadvantage is in the test. Cannot go back and do anything that I have left. If the candidate has no Internet-based test experience May not be able to do the exam in time Or an error occurs while taking the test. Moreover, level of Chinese Proficiency Test was one of many factors influencing selection of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) because Chinese Proficiency Test was consisted of different knowledge levels. Each level of Chinese Proficiency Test will be added more vocabulary. The higher level means the more vocabulary and the more difficulty. Online Test is easy because all candidates can type Chinese letters if they know pinyin. Pinyin facilitates Chinese Proficiency Test to finish both 2 types of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), especially for those who are tested in Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level V.