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New HSK (3.0) · Elementary stage · facts checked 2026-10-20

HSK 1: format, words and preparation

HSK 1 is the first level of the new HSK. It tests listening and reading only, with pinyin printed above the Chinese. The word list is 300 words, double the old HSK 1.

Stage
Elementary
Written test
40 questions · ~40 min
Words (total)
300
New words
300
Speaking test
None
Take the HSK 1 practice test HSK 1 word list HSK 1 grammar

What HSK 1 means

CTI describes this level in one line: 能用中文就生活场景进行简单交流。

In English: Can have simple exchanges in Chinese about everyday life.

Test format

These numbers come from CTI’s official HSK 1 sample paper for the new HSK. Includes 5 minutes to fill in your personal details and 3 minutes after listening to transfer answers to the answer sheet. Pinyin is printed above the Chinese. Answer choices: 3 choices, or match from a set of 6.

HSK 1 written test sections
Section Questions Time (minutes)
Listening 20 about 12
Reading 20 20
Total 40 about 40

Question types, part by part

Knowing the format in advance saves time on the day. Here is what each part of the HSK 1 paper asks you to do, with one tip for each.

Listening

  1. Questions 1–5

    You hear a short sentence and choose the matching picture from three.

    Tip: Look at the three pictures before the audio starts and name what is different in each: an object, an action, a number.

  2. Questions 6–10

    You hear a question and choose the reply that fits, for example 今天天气怎么样？ → 非常热.

    Tip: Decide what kind of answer the question wants (a time, a place, a person, yes/no) before you look at the choices.

  3. Questions 11–15

    You hear a two-line dialogue and match it to one of six pictures.

    Tip: Each picture is used once. Cross off pictures as you use them.

  4. Questions 16–20

    You hear a sentence and a question about it, then pick one of three short answers.

    Tip: The question comes after the sentence, so keep the whole sentence in mind: who, where, when.

Reading

  1. Questions 21–25

    Match each sentence to one of six pictures.

    Tip: Find the one concrete word in the sentence (唱歌, 下雨, 鸡蛋) and look for it in the pictures.

  2. Questions 26–30

    Match each question to its reply from a list.

    Tip: Question words do most of the work: 谁 needs a person, 怎么 a way of doing something, 多大 an age.

  3. Questions 31–35

    Fill each blank with a word from a bank of six.

    Tip: Ask what kind of word the gap needs: a measure word, a verb, a time word, an adjective.

  4. Questions 36–40

    Read one or two sentences and answer a question about them (three choices).

    Tip: The answer is usually said in different words from the question. Match meaning, not characters.

Words and characters

The 2025 syllabus lists 300 new words for HSK 1, for a total of 300 counting all earlier levels. You are expected to recognise 246 characters by this level . Handwriting is not tested until HSK 2.

A sample of the new words at this level:

See all 300 HSK 1 words · HSK 1 characters with stroke order

Topics and tasks in the syllabus

The syllabus lists real-life tasks you should be able to handle at HSK 1. Listening and reading questions are built around them, so they make a good checklist:

  • Ask and answer basic personal questions (name, age, family, nationality)
  • Ask about events, objects, weather and places
  • Everyday courtesy: greetings, thanks, apologies, goodbyes
  • Food and drink preferences, Chinese everyday food (包子, 饺子, 面条儿, 茶)
  • Getting around: how you travel, when, and where to
  • Shopping: names and prices of everyday goods
  • Saying you are ill, visiting someone who is ill
  • Free-time activities, school, classes and simple work information

How to prepare

  • Learn the 300 words with sound first: hear each word, say it, then see the characters. The test is half listening.
  • Get tones and pinyin solid. Pinyin is printed on the paper, but the listening section has no text to lean on.
  • Learn the question words (谁, 什么, 哪儿, 几, 多少, 怎么, 怎么样) until you react to them without translating. Several task types are built on them.
  • Practise numbers, dates, times and prices out loud. They appear in almost every part of the test.
  • Before booking, do one full timed practice test so 40 minutes feels familiar.

How long it takes

Many adult beginners need around 2–4 months at 30–45 minutes a day. The new list is twice the size of the old one, so plan for more time than older HSK 1 guides suggest.

Common mistakes

  • Studying the old 150-word HSK 1 list. The new list is 300 words, so half the vocabulary would be missing.
  • Reading pinyin instead of characters. The pinyin helps, but recognising characters is faster and more reliable.
  • Only using flashcards. If you have never heard a word in a sentence, it is easy to miss in the listening section.

New HSK 1 vs old HSK 1

The old HSK 1 had 150 words, 40 questions and about 40 minutes. The new HSK 1 keeps 40 questions and the same length but doubles the word list to 300 and changes some task types: several parts now ask you to pick a spoken reply or match questions to answers, not only match pictures.

CTI has not yet published the score scale or pass mark for the new HSK 1–6. Under the old format, the pass mark was 60% of the total score. We will update this page when CTI publishes the new rules.

Free practice for HSK 1

Questions

Is there writing on the new HSK 1? +

No. The official HSK 1 sample paper has listening (20 questions) and reading (20 questions) only. Character writing starts at HSK 2.

Is pinyin printed on the new HSK 1? +

Yes. The official sample paper prints pinyin above the Chinese in both the listening answer choices and the reading section.

How many words do I need for HSK 1? +

The 2025 syllabus lists 300 words for HSK 1. Our HSK 1 word list has all of them with pinyin and English.

Study HSK 1 words every day

WordSwing turns the HSK 1 list into short daily reviews with audio and reading practice.

Open WordSwing

Sources

  1. HSK 3.0 sample papers, answer keys and audio (levels 1–9, speaking 3–6) — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
  2. HSK 3.0 考试能力描述 (competency profile) — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
  3. HSK 考试大纲 (HSK Test Syllabus), released November 2025 — Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). Checked 2026-10-20.
  4. HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026! — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
  5. Chinese Test Dates in 2026 — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.