Master the latest Chinese Proficiency Test with our comprehensive guide covering all aspects of the HSK 3.0 exam.
Take your HSK preparation anywhere with our mobile and tablet app. Track your progress, practice vocabulary, and master Chinese characters wherever you are.
Complete HSK vocabulary lists for levels 1 to 6
Practice writing Chinese characters with stroke order
Audio playback for characters and sentences
Offline access - study anywhere without internet
Understanding the Chinese Proficiency Test and its structure
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is a standardized test of Chinese language proficiency designed for non-native speakers. Administered by the Hanban, an agency affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, this test has evolved to better reflect real-world language usage and comprehensive communication abilities.
The latest version, known as HSK 3.0, was launched on July 1st, 2021. This new iteration focuses on assessing test-takers' ability to understand and use Chinese in real-life situations, with particular emphasis on communicative competence.
HSK Levels 1-3
Foundation level for basic communication needs in daily life
HSK Levels 4-6
Advanced communication for academic and professional contexts
HSK Levels 7-9
Mastery level for sophisticated language usage
Understanding spoken Chinese in various contexts
Comprehending written Chinese materials
Producing written Chinese appropriate to the level
Testing comprehension and language knowledge
Assessing grammar and vocabulary usage
Evaluating written communication abilities
Understanding the key differences between the old and new HSK formats
Expanded from 6 to 9 levels for more precise proficiency assessment
Shifted from pass/fail to a 60-180 point scale for better evaluation
Added sentence building and comprehensive writing tasks
Emphasis on practical language use in authentic situations
Significantly increased vocabulary requirements at each level
New levels 7-9 for superior language mastery
| Category | HSK 2.0 | HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Level Range | 6 levels (1-6) | 9 levels (1-9) |
| Level 1 Vocabulary | 150 words | 500 words |
| Level 4 Vocabulary | 1,200 words | 3,245 words |
| Maximum Vocabulary | 5,000 words (Level 6) | 11,092 words (Level 7-9) |
| Category | Level | HSK 3.0 Vocabulary | HSK 2.0 Vocabulary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Level 1 | 500 | 150 |
| Level 2 | 1,272 | 300 | |
| Level 3 | 2,245 | 600 | |
| Intermediate | Level 4 | 3,245 | 1,200 |
| Level 5 | 4,316 | 2,500 | |
| Level 6 | 5,456 | 5,000 | |
| Advanced | Level 7-9 | 11,092 | - |
Download our mobile app with comprehensive study materials and progress tracking designed for the new HSK format
Detailed breakdown of requirements for syllables, characters, vocabulary, and grammar
| Stage | Level | Syllable | Character | Vocabulary | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Level 1 | 269 | 300 | 500 | 48 |
| Level 2 | +199 / 468 | +300 / 600 | +772 / 1,272 | +81 / 129 | |
| Level 3 | +140 / 608 | +300 / 900 | +973 / 2,245 | +81 / 210 | |
| Intermediate | Level 4 | +116 / 724 | +300 / 1,200 | +1,000 / 3,245 | +76 / 286 |
| Level 5 | +98 / 822 | +300 / 1,500 | +1,071 / 4,316 | +71 / 357 | |
| Level 6 | +86 / 908 | +300 / 1,800 | +1,140 / 5,456 | +67 / 424 | |
| Advanced | Level 7-9 | +202 / 1,110 | +1,200 / 3,000 | +5,636 / 11,092 | +148 / 572 |
Syllables in HSK refer to the units of sound in Chinese language transcribed using the pinyin system. This system is crucial for:
Characters form the foundation of written Chinese. Requirements include:
Character requirements increase by 300 per level up to Level 6, with a significant jump for advanced levels.
Vocabulary includes both single characters and compound words. The criteria focus on:
Vocabulary requirements increase significantly with each level, reaching over 11,000 words at advanced levels.
Grammar points represent essential sentence patterns and structures. The focus is on:
Grammar requirements build progressively, with advanced levels covering sophisticated language usage.
The HSK 3.0 quantitative criteria are designed for progressive learning, with each level building upon previous knowledge. Numbers shown as "+X / Y" indicate the additional items required at each level (X) and the cumulative total (Y).
Understanding the new handwriting and translation requirements in HSK 3.0
The HSK 3.0 introduces two significant new skill requirements: handwriting and translation. These additions reflect a more comprehensive approach to evaluating Chinese language proficiency and better align with real-world language usage.
Practice Chinese character writing with stroke order guidance in our mobile app designed for HSK 3.0
A comprehensive guide to registering and preparing for your HSK examination
HSK tests are offered at designated test centers worldwide. You can:
Complete your registration on the HSK website:
Test fees vary by level and location:
On test day, remember to:
Access complete HSK study materials offline in our mobile app with vocabulary lists, audio, and progress tracking
Complete schedule for HSK and HSK Speaking Test dates
| Month | Test Date | Test Form | Registration Deadline | Result Releasing Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBT | iBT |
PBT (HSK / HSK Speaking Test) |
iBT HSK | iBT HSK Speaking | |||
| Jan. | 24th January (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 28th December 2025 | 14th January | ※3rd March | 9th February | 13th February |
| Mar. | 22nd March (Sun) | PBT+iBT at-center | 23rd February | 12th March | 22nd April | 7th April | 13th April |
| Apr. | 11th April (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 15th March | 1st April | ※15th May | 27th April | ※8th May |
| May | 16th May (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 19th April | 6th May | 16th June | 1st June | 5th June |
| Jun. | 28th June (Sun) | PBT+iBT at-center | 1st June | 18th June | 28th July | 13th July | 20th July |
| Jul. | 18th July (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 21st June | 8th July | 19th August | 3rd August | 7th August |
| Aug. | 23rd August (Sun) | PBT+iBT at-center | 27th July | 13th August | 23rd September | 7th September | 14th September |
| Sep. | 13th September (Sun) | PBT+iBT at-center | 17th August | 3rd September | ※19th October | 29th September | ※9th October |
| Oct. | 17th October (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 20th September | 7th October | 17th November | 2nd November | 6th November |
| Nov. | 7th November (Sat) | PBT+iBT at-center | 11th October | 28th October | 7th December | 23rd November | 27th November |
| Dec. | 13th December (Sun) | PBT+iBT at-center | 16th November | 3rd December | ※15th January 2027 | 28th December | 4th January 2027 |
| Month | Test Date | Test Form | Registration Deadline | Result Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May. | 11th May (Sun) | iBT at-center | 27th April | 11th June |
| Sep. | 8th September (Sat) | iBT at-center | 25th August | 8th October |
※ Result releasing date would be delayed due to festival vacation.
Access comprehensive vocabulary lists for all HSK levels
Download our app to access complete HSK vocabulary lists from Level 1 to 9 with audio, translations, and example sentences.
Download our mobile app and accelerate your Chinese learning progress with complete vocabulary lists, progress tracking, and offline access.
