For the first time in the region, we organised the first and this year the only Chinese medical language exam in the world!

2023. November 25.

On 25 November 2023, the ELTE Confucius Institute broke new ground in Chinese language testing by holding the first ever Chinese medical language test in the region. Our first examinees were very happy to share their experiences with us and tell us why they chose to take the special exam!

The Medical Chinese Proficiency Test (MCT) is a standardised language exam designed to assess the level of Chinese for medical applications. It was developed jointly by the Confucius Institute Centre, Hankao International, and five important Chinese medical universities.

The test is designed to assess the ability of candidates to use Chinese in communicating about medicine. It assesses their ability to communicate effectively and accurately with patients, health professionals, and related staff in medical situations.

Dr Tibor Rák's professional commitment and passion for the Chinese language led him to be one of the first examinees. A resident and PhD student at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pécs, he has been passionate about the Far Eastern language since childhood. He has sought to learn more about Chinese culture and language through a wide variety of sources, music, films, and Chinese pen pals. He has an HSK 6, but it was his years in China that led to his real breakthrough:

‘I spent my first internship in 2016 in the People's Republic of China at a prestigious medical university and teaching hospital, the Department of Cardiology at the Xiangya Hospital of Central-South University in Changsha, thanks to an International Federation of Medical Student Association (IFMSA) scholarship. This was my first experience of healthcare in China, but I had to return soon to Hungary. However, my homesickness did not last long, as in 2018 I was offered a six-month clinical internship as a Confucius Scholar at the prestigious Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its teaching hospitals. I received an excellent professional Chinese medical education, including in the following disciplines: TCM surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, and Tui Tui massage therapy. In addition, I was able to gain insight into the departments of other clinical disciplines, including haematology, andrology, psychiatry, and ophthalmology’.

Dr. Tibor Rák

The resident from Pécs is a very experienced language test taker, as he had already taken the HSK, HSKK, and BCT exams, but this is the first time that he has taken the MCT:

‘It was one of the most enjoyable exams of my life. I think the MCT was fair, not tricky or difficult. The MCT was not complicated. It was a very good test. The writing task was to write a patient chart from a given doctor–patient situation, which I think is part of the daily routine both in China and at home. I would recommend this exam to all Chinese learners, but I would especially recommend it to health care workers who are learning Chinese. Taking the MCT exam could be an option in addition to or instead of English and German’.

Dr. Imran Arif

Dr Imran Arif, who came from China to take the MCT, was hoping to gain professional benefits. The Pakistani man is currently studying medicine at Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi, and he said that the exam could be a very good entry point to medical schools:

‘With the MCT, I can prove and certify my professional Chinese language skills and thus apply to better higher education institutions to pursue my doctoral studies’, said the Pakistani doctor, who hopes to pursue a professional career in primary care and paediatric nursing in the future.

The MCT thus opens new doors for Chinese medical language skills and professional development, helping doctors and professionals to communicate assertively with patients and with others in the healthcare environment.

The next MCT medical Chinese language exam will be held on Saturday 11 May 2024, with the deadline for exam registration being 14 April (midnight Beijing time).