HSK levels compared
From 13 December 2026 the HSK has nine levels in three stages. Levels 1–6 are separate tests; levels 7–9 share one advanced test. This table puts the official numbers for every level side by side.
| Level | Stage | Words (total) | Characters to read / write | Written test | Sections | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Elementary | 300 | 246 / – | 40 questions, ~40 min | Listening, Reading | No |
| HSK 2 | Elementary | 500 | 371 / 100 | 60 questions, ~60 min | Listening, Reading, Writing | No |
| HSK 3 | Elementary | 1,000 | 655 / 250 | 70 questions, ~83 min | Listening, Reading, Writing | Separate, ~15 min |
| HSK 4 | Intermediate | 2,000 | 1,096 / 400 | 70 questions, ~85 min | Listening, Reading, Writing | Separate, ~20 min |
| HSK 5 | Intermediate | 3,600 | 1,527 / 550 | 72 questions, ~110 min | Listening, Reading, Writing | Separate, ~23 min |
| HSK 6 | Intermediate | 5,400 | 1,940 / 700 | 82 questions, ~125 min | Listening, Reading, Writing | Separate, ~23 min |
| HSK 7–9 | Advanced | 11,000 | 3,088 / 1,200 | 91 questions, ~200 min | Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation, Speaking | Included |
From CTI’s official HSK 3.0 sample papers and the 2025 syllabus.
What each level means
CTI describes each level in one sentence. In plain English:
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HSK 1 Elementary
Can have simple exchanges in Chinese about everyday life.
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HSK 2 Elementary
Can handle basic communication in Chinese about daily life, study and work.
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HSK 3 Elementary
Can communicate effectively in Chinese about daily life, study and work.
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HSK 4 Intermediate
Can communicate fully and coherently in Chinese about daily life, study and work.
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HSK 5 Intermediate
Can communicate accurately and appropriately in Chinese at work and in study.
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HSK 6 Intermediate
Can communicate richly and smoothly in Chinese at work, in study and in general professional settings.
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HSK 7–9 Advanced
Level 7: standard, fluent communication at work and in general professional and academic settings. Level 8: appropriate, in-depth communication in the same settings. Level 9: precise, in-depth communication in professional and academic settings of all kinds.
Which level should I take?
Pick the highest level where you can comfortably follow practice-test listening and finish the reading in time. You don’t need to take the levels in order; you can register for any level.
- Complete beginners: aim for HSK 1 after a few months of regular study. It is listening and reading only, with pinyin printed.
- For a Chinese university: check the programme’s requirement. Many have asked for HSK 4 for Chinese-taught degrees and HSK 5 or 6 for some subjects or postgraduate study, and some schools are updating their rules for the new HSK.
- For work: employers and visa rules vary. HSK 4 and above is a common reference for working in Chinese.
- Not sure: take the placement test, then a full practice test at the suggested level.
How the levels compare with the old HSK
The new levels are harder than the old ones with the same number. The new HSK 1 has 300 words, double the old HSK 1, and the new HSK 4 has 2,000 words compared with 1,200. Old HSK 6 words are split between the new HSK 6 and HSK 7–9. If you passed an old level, expect the new level with the same number to need more vocabulary, more writing and, from HSK 3, a speaking test. See what changed in HSK 3.0.
Sources
- HSK 3.0 sample papers, answer keys and audio (levels 1–9, speaking 3–6) — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
- HSK 3.0 考试能力描述 (competency profile) — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
- HSK 考试大纲 (HSK Test Syllabus), released November 2025 — Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). Checked 2026-10-20.