New HSK (3.0) · Elementary stage · facts checked 2026-10-20
HSK 2: format, words and preparation
HSK 2 adds a short writing section to listening and reading. You choose character components and write single missing characters. Pinyin is still printed. The cumulative word list is 500 words.
- Stage
- Elementary
- Written test
- 60 questions · ~60 min
- Words (total)
- 500
- New words
- 200
- Speaking test
- None
What HSK 2 means
CTI describes this level in one line: 能用中文就生活、学习、工作场景进行基本交流。
In English: Can handle basic communication in Chinese about daily life, study and work.
Test format
These numbers come from CTI’s official HSK 2 sample paper for the new HSK. Includes 5 minutes for personal details and 3 minutes after listening to fill in the answer sheet. Pinyin is printed above the Chinese. Answer choices: 3 choices, or match from a set of 5–6.
| Section | Questions | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 25 | about 17 |
| Reading | 25 | 25 |
| Writing | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 60 | about 60 |
Question types, part by part
Knowing the format in advance saves time on the day. Here is what each part of the HSK 2 paper asks you to do, with one tip for each.
Listening
-
Questions 1–5
Hear a sentence and choose the matching picture from three.
Tip: Before the audio, note what differs between the pictures: weather, an action, a place.
-
Questions 6–15
Hear short dialogues and match each to one of six pictures (two groups of five).
Tip: Listen for the key noun or verb in the second speaker’s line; it usually names what is in the picture.
-
Questions 16–25
Hear a two-line dialogue and a question, then choose one of three answers.
Tip: Questions often ask what the woman or man wants, where they are, or why. Notice who says what.
Reading
-
Questions 26–30
Match each sentence to a picture.
Tip: Look for a single concrete clue: 游泳, 吃药, 小猫.
-
Questions 31–35
Fill each blank with a word from a bank of six.
Tip: Several gaps sit in two-line dialogues. Read both lines before choosing.
-
Questions 36–45
Match sentences to their replies (two groups of five).
Tip: Start with the pairs you are sure of; the last ones get easier by elimination.
-
Questions 46–50
Read a short text and answer a ★ question about it.
Tip: Watch for words that change the meaning: 虽然…但是, 不, 没, 最.
Writing
-
Questions 51–55
Choose the character component (for example 氵 or 子) that matches a picture.
Tip: Learn the common meaning components: 氵 water, 口 mouth, 木 tree, 女 woman, 扌 hand.
-
Questions 56–60
Write the one missing character in a sentence. The pinyin of the whole sentence is given.
Tip: These are high-frequency characters (的, 可, 好, 学, 洗 in the sample). Practise writing the HSK 1–2 writing list by hand.
Words and characters
The 2025 syllabus lists 200 new words for HSK 2, for a total of 500 counting all earlier levels. You are expected to recognise 371 characters by this level and be able to write 100 of them by hand.
A sample of the new words at this level:
- 爱好 àihào hobby; to be keen on
- 长 cháng long
- 打 dǎ to hit; to play (ball games); to make (a call)
- 高 gāo tall; high
- 红茶 hóngchá black tea
- 机票 jīpiào plane ticket
- 咖啡 kāfēi coffee
- 累 lèi tired
- 门 mén door; gate
- 旁边 pángbiān beside; next to
- 肉 ròu meat
- 手 shǒu hand
- 外国 wàiguó foreign country
- 下面 xiàmiàn below; under; next
- 药店 yàodiàn pharmacy
- 运动 yùndòng sport; to exercise
See all 200 HSK 2 words · HSK 2 characters with stroke order
Topics and tasks in the syllabus
The syllabus lists real-life tasks you should be able to handle at HSK 2. Listening and reading questions are built around them, so they make a good checklist:
- Personal details at parties or in forms: looks, birthday, habits, hobbies
- Describing events: who, when, how, why, what changed
- Describing objects: colour, number, where they are, how they differ
- Weather and places (school, a new home, the station)
- Everyday courtesy, including festivals and seeing friends off
- Daily meals, travel plans, shopping
- Illness and visiting someone who is ill
- Family life, study experience, school and work
- Chinese New Year and traditional food; Chinese forms of address
How to prepare
- Learn the 500 cumulative words, with the 200 new HSK 2 words as your main focus.
- Start handwriting. The HSK 1–2 writing list has 100 characters; write each one until you can produce it from memory.
- Learn the common character components and what they suggest. HSK 2 tests this directly.
- Listen to slightly faster dialogues than your textbook. The listening section is longer than HSK 1.
- Read short texts without English underneath, so that a full 25-minute reading section feels normal.
How long it takes
With HSK 1 solid, 2–4 months is a common range. From zero, plan on 5–8 months. Handwriting practice adds a few minutes a day.
Common mistakes
- Skipping handwriting because the old HSK 2 had none. Writing is a scored section on the new HSK 2.
- Reading only the pinyin line. It slows you down and fails on the character-component questions.
- Learning words in isolation. Most items put the word in a dialogue.
New HSK 2 vs old HSK 2
The old HSK 2 had 300 words, 60 questions and no writing. The new HSK 2 has 500 words, still 60 questions, and a 10-item writing section in place of some listening and reading questions.
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 2
- HSK 2 practice test A full-length original test in the new format, with audio, a timer and explanations.
- HSK 2 word list Every word in the 2025 syllabus with pinyin and English. Download as CSV or Anki file.
- HSK 2 grammar points Each pattern explained with examples, common mistakes and a short quiz.
- HSK 2 characters Reading and handwriting characters, with stroke-order animation.
- HSK 2 vocabulary quiz Quick rounds on the new words at this level, with audio up to HSK 4. Missed words are saved for review.
- Placement test Not sure which level to book? A 15-minute check of your listening and reading.
Questions
Does the new HSK 2 have writing? +
Yes. The official sample paper has 10 writing questions: five where you pick the right character component for a picture, and five where you write one missing character in a sentence.
Which characters do I need to be able to write for HSK 2? +
The 2025 syllabus has a combined handwriting list of 100 characters for HSK 1 and HSK 2. Our characters page for HSK 1–2 lists them with stroke order.
Can I take HSK 2 without HSK 1? +
Yes. You can register for any level. Take HSK 2 if practice tests show you can handle its listening and reading.
Study HSK 2 words every day
WordSwing turns the HSK 2 list into short daily reviews with audio and reading practice.
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.
- HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026! — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
- Chinese Test Dates in 2026 — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.