Polytechnic University has launched a drive to assess secondary and post-secondary students' Putonghua abilities.
In July, more than 100 students in 10 secondary schools and about 200 studying with the Vocational Training Council will sit the university's Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi.
Chan Shui-duen, associate dean of the communications faculty and head of the department of Chinese and bilingual studies, said the aim was for the test to gain broader recognition in society as a qualification.
'We have 14 years' experience delivering this exam so we believe we are qualified to expand this outside our university,' Professor Chan said.
The test is intended to be the local equivalent of the mainland's Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi, tailored to non-native speakers. Starting this year, all PolyU students must take the test before they can graduate.
Professor Chan said the mainland's assessment had a much higher baseline as it was originally intended for native speakers who wanted to enter the broadcasting industry.