SINGAPORE - WORKERS here will be able to check out their Chinese language proficiency by taking part in a new computer-based test.

The Republic is the first country outside China to conduct the computerised Business Chinese Test (BCT), the Workforce Development Agencey (WDA) announced in a press release on Saturday.

The BCT, along with the Chinese Numeracy Test (CNT), is a collaboration between WDA and The Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban).

It aims to provide workers with a formal recognition of their Chinese language proficiency level through the Chinese Employability Skills System (ESS) assessment.

The new test system is introduced based on feedback from participants who had sat through the paper-based test.

New changes
Participants will now be able to complete the test at his own pace, due to the incorporation of a countdown timer. Chinese characters input methods such as hanyu pinyin and handwriting character recognition will also be provided.

Ms Hee Soo Yin, Director of General Skills Development Division, WDA, said that, 'We learnt from previous participants that the deficiency in written Chinese proved to be barrier in doing the BCT, hence we thought to provide the hanyu pinyin tool'.

'This will help participants to overcome the barrier and accurately assess their Chinese literacy level.'

Besides that, participants can now listen to the questions being read out due to the inclusion of the voice option.

Results will also by released faster, almost half the time as compared to the previous paper-based test.

Workers can sit for these tests at the Centre for Employability Skills, HSK Centre (Crestar) and the Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business (SCCIOB).

More opportunities
Principal of SSCIOB, Mr Heng Hiang Jin, said that BCT will help to open more work opportunities with Chinese partners as it will assess the workers proficieny in the Chinese language.

A for CNT, he added that it will provide an avenue for more Chinese-literate workers to assess their numerical abilities.

The Chinese ESS was developed and launched in 2006 in response to the industry demand for Mandarin-speaking workforce.

Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive of WDA said that, 'these test will help workers gain jobs in areas where Chinese language proficiency is required. It will also be a useful reference point for companies in their recruitment efforts'.