HSK 3.0: what is real right now
HSK 3.0 is a new three-stage, nine-level syllabus. It is not automatically the paper you will sit next month. This page keeps those two facts apart.
What we can say as of 2026-08-18
- The new HSK examination syllabus was published in November 2025 and states that it is implemented from July 2026. A public PDF ishosted here.
- A limited HSK 3.0 pilot for levels 1–6 ran at selected centers on 31 January 2026.
- Regular 2026 HSK 1–6 dates have been described by CTI as continuing under HSK 2.0 until a formal start is announced separately. Confirm your own ticket.
- HSK 7–9 already exists as one combined advanced internet-based exam.
What actually changes
- Nine levels in three stages — elementary 1–3, intermediate 4–6, advanced 7–9.
- New lists at every band — not a thin rename of the old 150–5,000 ladder.
- Five syllabus parts — tasks, topics, vocabulary, characters, and grammar. Skills include listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation at the advanced band.
- 7–9 is one exam — you do not pick 7 vs 8 vs 9 the way you pick HSK 4 vs HSK 5.
Secondary writeups disagree about exactly how handwriting will be tested on live papers. The 2025 syllabus includes handwriting character targets. We will not invent a rule beyond that. Check the official outline and your center.
If your exam is booked in 2026
Prepare for the format named on the registration and admission materials. A July date on a syllabus cover is not a substitute for that check.
If you are studying without a date
Using the 3.0 lists as a long-term framework is reasonable. Keep practice sets internally consistent. Do not drill a 2.0 mock and score yourself against 3.0 counts.
List sizes: 2.0 vs 3.0
| Level | HSK 2.0 | HSK 3.0 (cumulative entries) |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | ~150 | 300 |
| HSK 2 | ~300 | 500 |
| HSK 3 | ~600 | 1,000 |
| HSK 4 | ~1,200 | 2,000 |
| HSK 5 | ~2,500 | 3,600 |
| HSK 6 | ~5,000+ | 5,400 |
| HSK 7–9 | — | 11,000 (one advanced band) |
3.0 figures are official numbered entries. Some written forms appear more than once when senses or readings differ.
Changelog
- 2026-08-18: First published living guide. Dual-track warning based on CTI syllabus date vs regular 2026 HSK 1–6 notices reported through July 2026.
FAQ
When does HSK 3.0 start?+
The 2025 syllabus says it is implemented from July 2026. That is not, by itself, a confirmed cutover of every regular HSK 1–6 sitting. CTI has said those sessions continue under HSK 2.0 until a formal HSK 3.0 start is announced. HSK 7–9 is already operating.
Should I throw out my HSK 2.0 Anki deck?+
Not if your next sitting is still a 2.0 paper. If you have no date, keep the old deck as a core and add 3.0-only items in a separate list so you can see the delta.
Are the 2021 proposal numbers official?+
No. Early 3.0 commentary used 2021 proposal figures (for example a larger HSK 1). Use the November 2025 syllabus counts: 300, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,600, 5,400, then 11,000 across 7–9.