standardized Chinese (Mandarin) test

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanyu_Shuiping_Kaoshi

I'll say at the outset that I have not done the HSK.  I know lots of people who did it as some kind of evidence for their home university that they did not spend all their time in China at someone else's expense drinking 白酒 (the local spirits.)  And I know at least two people who enrolled in regular university courses in China without having completed the HSK (it is sometimes quoted as a requirement for admission.)  It seems that, in China, there is always a way around the rules.  I also suspect that a lot of jobs would be available without the requirement of an HSK result .. but anyway, go for it.  It seems to me that most people approach learning the language and culture as the main goal, with the HSK as secondary.      

Thanks for the comments and url.