The Ministry of Education and State Language Commission released a draft standard for Mandarin tests for primary and middle school students on Friday.

The standard classified the Mandarin proficiency of the students into six levels, a release from the ministry said.

It also specified the content, scope and evaluation criteria of the Mandarin tests.

The standard applies to fifth and sixth-grade primary school students and middle school students and will take effect on Dec 15.

The standard and tests will strengthen the development and promotion of the standardized system of the national unified language and characters.