The Mandarin test auto-scoring system has already passed the spot test at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University recently. This system was jointly researched and developed by IoA-affiliated ThinkIT Speech Laboratory, the CAS Institute of Software and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In the future, the auto-scoring system will be widely recommended in the Mandarin test among the middle schools and universities in Hong Kong. The ministry of education is also considering applying this technology to the Mandarin test and education in mainland. 　

According to Dr. Zhao Qingwei, the chief technology officer of ThinkIT Speech Laboratory introduced that this system adopted the advanced systematic algorithm and was designed based on the eigenvalue databank of standard pronunciation. In order to get these eigenvalue data, our researchers collected and analyzed plenty of standardized pronunciation materials. After the speech was input, the computer will use the special algorithm to compare the examinee's pronunciation and the standard one. 　　

This system is of high accuracy, which can clearly distinguish the back nasal initials and retroflex consonant. For example, when we read the sound "zhe" into "ze" on purpose, the computer immediately displayed it was wrong. "During the examination, the computer can give a score to each word and sentence and finally it will give a comprehensive score", said Zhao Qingwei.　

It was said the test results by the auto-scoring system were close to that made by the senior experts. The difference was less than 2%.