Computer HSK6

[habote]

I was planning on taking the written version of the HSK6 next month, but I think that I missed the deadline. I still definitely want to take it next month, but now my only option is to take the computer version. 

 

Probably a dumb question, but are the tests looked at in the same light? Passing the computer version is exactly the same as passing the written version? Why wouldn't everyone just take the computer one so you don't have to hand write the essay? 

 

Thanks for any and all help.

[edelweis]

At first, all test centres offered only the paper version.

The computer version is more recent and requires the test centre to be equipped with computers, obviously, so all test centres don't offer it.

And there may be some keyboard compatibility problems in countries that usually don't use a qwerty keyboard...

 

There have been some people mentioning that some teachers or universities require students to take the paper version and not the computer version, precisely because the computer version does not require handwriting, while most university courses do, so the computer version would not be a good evaluation of the level of the student for placement or as a graduation requirement.

 

(also everyone is not computer literate even today... some people will feel more comfortable with a pen and paper especially for HSK5 and below, because you can copy characters from the exam booklet even if you have forgotten how to pronounce them and would be unable to type them with pinyin IME)