New HSK (3.0) · Intermediate stage · facts checked 2026-10-20
HSK 6: format, words and preparation
HSK 6 is the top of the intermediate stage. Listening items ask which statement matches the recording, reading has word and sentence cloze plus long texts, and writing is a practical text of 150+ characters and an argument essay of 300+. The cumulative word list is 5,400 words.
- Stage
- Intermediate
- Written test
- 82 questions · ~125 min
- Words (total)
- 5,400
- New words
- 1,800
- Speaking test
- Separate · ~23 min
What HSK 6 means
CTI describes this level in one line: 能用中文就职场、学业、一般专业场景进行丰富、顺畅交流。
In English: Can communicate richly and smoothly in Chinese at work, in study and in general professional settings.
Test format
These numbers come from CTI’s official HSK 6 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 | 40 | about 30 |
| Reading | 40 | 40 |
| Writing | 2 | 45 |
| Total | 82 | about 125 |
Question types, part by part
Knowing the format in advance saves time on the day. Here is what each part of the HSK 6 paper asks you to do, with one tip for each.
Listening
-
Questions 1–8
Hear a short recording and choose the statement that matches it.
Tip: Wrong choices often change one detail (who, how much, before or after). Listen for that detail.
-
Questions 9–40
Interviews, talks and longer recordings, each with several questions.
Tip: Note the structure as you listen: the question, the speaker’s view, the example. Questions follow the same order.
Reading
-
Questions 41–50
Word cloze in passages.
Tip: Choices are close in meaning. Decide by collocation and formality, not by the English translation.
-
Questions 51–60
Sentence cloze in passages, with one extra sentence that fits nowhere.
Tip: Use connectors and pronouns in the sentences (因此, 这, 然而) to link them to the gaps.
-
Questions 61–80
Long passages, each with several questions.
Tip: Skim each paragraph’s first sentence to map the text, then answer from the relevant paragraph.
Writing
-
Question 81
Practical writing of at least 150 characters (the sample: an online ad for a flatmate).
Tip: Cover every point the prompt lists. Practical tasks are marked on completeness and suitable tone.
-
Question 82
An argument essay of at least 300 characters (the sample: does technology help or hold back human development?).
Tip: State your view in the first paragraph, give two reasons with examples, then conclude.
The HSK 6 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 you compare with your parents’ generation; whether “the best investment is in yourself”. 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 1,800 new words for HSK 6, for a total of 5,400 counting all earlier levels. You are expected to recognise 1,940 characters by this level and be able to write 700 of them by hand.
A sample of the new words at this level:
- 岸 àn bank; shore; beach; coast
- 测量 cèliáng survey; to measure; to gauge
- 醋 cù vinegar; jealousy (in love rivalry)
- 躲避 duǒbì to hide; to evade; to dodge
- 工夫 gōngfu period of time (may be months, or mere seconds); spare time; skill
- 划 huà to delimit; to transfer; to assign
- 胶水 jiāoshuǐ glue
- 可怜 kělián pitiful; pathetic; to have pity on
- 盲人 mángrén blind person
- 评估 pínggū to evaluate; to assess; assessment
- 融化 rónghuà to melt; to thaw; to dissolve
- 输送 shūsòng to transport; to convey; to deliver
- 吐 tù to vomit; to throw up
- 消毒 xiāodú to disinfect; to sterilize
- 艺人 yìrén entertainer; performing artist; artisan; craftsman
- 阵雨 zhènyǔ shower (rain)
See all 1,800 HSK 6 words · HSK 6 characters with stroke order
Topics and tasks in the syllabus
The syllabus lists real-life tasks you should be able to handle at HSK 6. Listening and reading questions are built around them, so they make a good checklist:
- Daily errands, food, transport, health care and community life
- Study, campus life, educational events and ideas
- Job content, career direction, business and management
- Geography, climate, natural resources and the environment
- Technology products and science knowledge
- Economic and social trends
- Arts, sports and international exchange
- Chinese language and writing; customs, history, thought, arts and ancient science
How to prepare
- Read long-form Chinese daily: news features, essays, opinion pieces. The test texts are long and dense.
- Practise both writing tasks with a timer. 450+ characters of good writing in 45 minutes takes practice.
- Listen to full interviews and talks at natural speed and summarise them aloud. This also trains the retelling task in the speaking test.
- Study near-synonyms (反映 / 反应, 发挥 / 发展). The word cloze tests fine distinctions.
How long it takes
From HSK 5, plan on a year or more of regular study. People who already use Chinese at work or university often move faster.
Common mistakes
- Treating HSK 6 as the top of the HSK. Under HSK 3.0, levels 7–9 sit above it.
- Writing the argument essay without a clear position.
- Practising only with old HSK 6 papers. The old summary-writing task is gone.
New HSK 6 vs old HSK 6
The old HSK 6 had 5,000 words and 101 questions in about 140 minutes, with a summary-writing task. The new HSK 6 has 5,400 words and 82 questions in about 125 minutes, with a practical text and an argument essay, and 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 6
- HSK 6 practice test A full-length original test in the new format, with audio, a timer and explanations.
- HSK 6 word list Every word in the 2025 syllabus with pinyin and English. Download as CSV or Anki file.
- HSK 6 grammar points Each pattern explained with examples, common mistakes and a short quiz.
- HSK 6 characters Reading and handwriting characters, with stroke-order animation.
- HSK 6 vocabulary quiz Quick rounds on the new words at this level, with audio up to HSK 4. Missed words are saved for review.
- HSK 6 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
Is the HSK 6 summary task still on the test? +
Not on the new HSK 6 sample paper. It has a practical writing task (150+ characters) and an argument essay (300+ characters) instead.
Is HSK 6 the highest level? +
No. HSK 7–9 is a combined advanced test above HSK 6.
Study HSK 6 words every day
WordSwing turns the HSK 6 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.