New HSK (3.0) · Intermediate stage · facts checked 2026-10-20
HSK 5: format, words and preparation
HSK 5 uses longer listening, cloze passages, paragraph ordering and long reading texts. Writing is two essays: a picture story of at least 100 characters and a topic essay of at least 200. The cumulative word list is 3,600 words.
- Stage
- Intermediate
- Written test
- 72 questions · ~110 min
- Words (total)
- 3,600
- New words
- 1,600
- Speaking test
- Separate · ~23 min
What HSK 5 means
CTI describes this level in one line: 能用中文就工作、学业场景进行准确、恰当交流。
In English: Can communicate accurately and appropriately in Chinese at work and in study.
Test format
These numbers come from CTI’s official HSK 5 sample paper for the new HSK. Includes 5 minutes for personal details and 5 minutes after listening to fill in the answer sheet. There is no pinyin on the paper. Answer choices: 4 choices.
| Section | Questions | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 35 | about 25 |
| Reading | 35 | 35 |
| Writing | 2 | 40 |
| Total | 72 | about 110 |
Question types, part by part
Knowing the format in advance saves time on the day. Here is what each part of the HSK 5 paper asks you to do, with one tip for each.
Listening
-
Questions 1–19
Short dialogues and talks, each with one question.
Tip: Choices are often abstract (属于销售手段, 讲究细节). Predict the topic from them before the audio.
-
Questions 20–35
Longer recordings (interviews, talks, news-style items) with several questions each.
Tip: Take quick notes of names, numbers and opinions. The last question is often about the speaker’s attitude.
Reading
-
Questions 36–45
Cloze passages: choose the right word or sentence for each gap.
Tip: For word gaps, check collocations (反映…水平, 占有…地位). For sentence gaps, check the logic of what comes after.
-
Questions 46–55
Put five paragraphs in order (two sets).
Tip: Find the opening paragraph first: it introduces people or the topic without pronouns like 他 or 此.
-
Questions 56–70
Long passages, each with three or four questions, including main idea and best title.
Tip: Read the questions first, then the passage. Title questions want the whole text, not one detail.
Writing
-
Question 71
Write a story of at least 100 characters based on four pictures.
Tip: Give the story a beginning, a turn and an ending, one or two sentences per picture.
-
Question 72
Write a topic essay of at least 200 characters (the sample: a time you tried something new and how you felt).
Tip: Plan three short paragraphs before writing: the situation, what happened, what you learned.
The HSK 5 speaking test
CTI has published a separate speaking sample paper for each of HSK 3–6. About 23 minutes including 10 minutes of preparation. Sample questions: how the internet has affected your life; what “活到老，学到老” means to you. CTI’s public notices do not yet say how speaking results combine with the written score, so check with your test centre when you register.
| Part | Questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Listen and retell | 2 | 1.5 minutes each |
| Describe a picture | 1 | 3 minutes to prepare, 2 minutes to speak |
| Answer a question | 2 | 3.5 minutes to prepare, 2.5 minutes to answer |
How to prepare for the HSK speaking test
Words and characters
The 2025 syllabus lists 1,600 new words for HSK 5, for a total of 3,600 counting all earlier levels. You are expected to recognise 1,527 characters by this level and be able to write 550 of them by hand.
A sample of the new words at this level:
- 爱护 àihù to cherish; to treasure; to take care of
- 产业 chǎnyè industry; estate; property
- 刺激 cìjī to provoke; to irritate; to upset; to stimulate; to excite; irritant
- 独特 dútè unique; distinctive
- 根 gēn classifier for long slender objects, e.g. cigarettes, guitar strings; root; basis
- 画面 huàmiàn scene; tableau; picture
- 结论 jiélùn conclusion; verdict; to conclude
- 力量 lìliàng power; force; strength
- 农民 nóngmín peasant; farmer
- 缺乏 quēfá to lack; to be short of
- 省会 shěnghuì provincial capital
- 谈话 tánhuà to talk (with sb); to have a conversation; talk
- 位置 wèizhì position; place; seat
- 形式 xíngshì outer appearance; form; shape
- 用品 yòngpǐn articles for use; products; goods
- 整体 zhěngtǐ whole; entirety; overall; whole; general; on the whole; overall
See all 1,600 HSK 5 words · HSK 5 characters with stroke order
Topics and tasks in the syllabus
The syllabus lists real-life tasks you should be able to handle at HSK 5. Listening and reading questions are built around them, so they make a good checklist:
- Daily errands, dining, transport, shopping and health care
- Community and family life
- Reporting on study; sharing campus experience; education issues
- Work experience, business and management
- Nature and environmental problems
- Technology products and science knowledge
- China at a glance; economic and social trends
- Arts, sports and international events
- Chinese language and writing; ancient customs and sights
- Traditional thought and arts, history and ancient science
How to prepare
- Read a lot. At 3,600 words, flashcards alone will not get you through 35 reading questions in 35 minutes.
- Practise paragraph ordering with real texts: cut a short article into paragraphs and rebuild it.
- Write both essay types regularly and time yourself: 100+ characters from pictures, 200+ on a topic.
- Listen to interviews and talks, not just textbook dialogues. The second listening part is longer.
- Keep an error log for grammar and word choice. At this level, repeated small mistakes cost more than unknown words.
How long it takes
From HSK 4, about a year of part-time study is common, more if reading is not a daily habit. There is no reliable shortcut.
Common mistakes
- Running out of time in the writing section. Two essays in 40 minutes needs practice.
- Learning “HSK 5 words” without reading texts as dense as the test.
- Ignoring listening because reading feels stronger.
New HSK 5 vs old HSK 5
The old HSK 5 had 2,500 words and 100 questions in about 125 minutes. The new HSK 5 has 3,600 words and 72 questions in about 110 minutes. Paragraph ordering is new, writing becomes two essays, and there is a separate speaking test.
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 5
- HSK 5 practice test A full-length original test in the new format, with audio, a timer and explanations.
- HSK 5 word list Every word in the 2025 syllabus with pinyin and English. Download as CSV or Anki file.
- HSK 5 grammar points Each pattern explained with examples, common mistakes and a short quiz.
- HSK 5 characters Reading and handwriting characters, with stroke-order animation.
- HSK 5 vocabulary quiz Quick rounds on the new words at this level, with audio up to HSK 4. Missed words are saved for review.
- HSK 5 writing practice Prompts for the writing tasks at this level, with sample answers and a character counter.
- Placement test Not sure which level to book? A 15-minute check of your listening and reading.
Questions
How many characters do the HSK 5 essays need? +
At least 100 for the picture story and at least 200 for the topic essay, according to the official sample paper.
Is there paragraph ordering on HSK 5? +
Yes. The official sample has two sets of five paragraphs to put in order (questions 46–55).
Study HSK 5 words every day
WordSwing turns the HSK 5 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.