What HSK level am I?
This check samples words, listening and grammar from each level of the new HSK, starting at HSK 1 and stopping when the questions get too hard. At the end you get an estimated level, about how many HSK words you know, and where to go next.
How the check works
At each level you answer six word questions and two grammar questions. The words are picked at random from the words that are new at that level in the 2025 syllabus, so every attempt is different. Up to HSK 4, one of the word questions is a listening question. If you get at least half of a level right, you move on to the next one.
Your vocabulary estimate adjusts for lucky guesses: with four choices, you would get about a quarter right by chance. A level counts as reached when you seem to know about 80% of all the words up to that level and most of its grammar questions are right.
Words at each level
| Level | New words | Words in total |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 | 300 |
| HSK 2 | 200 | 500 |
| HSK 3 | 500 | 1,000 |
| HSK 4 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| HSK 5 | 1,600 | 3,600 |
| HSK 6 | 1,800 | 5,400 |
| HSK 7–9 | 5,600 | 11,000 |
What the result can and can’t tell you
Vocabulary is the best single predictor of HSK level, which is why most of the questions are about words. The check does not measure reading speed, listening to longer recordings, writing or speaking, and those decide many results from HSK 4 up. Once you have a level in mind, take the practice test for it to see how you do on the whole paper.
Choosing which test to take
- If the result is HSK 3, you could probably pass HSK 3 now. Book it if you need a certificate soon, or aim for HSK 4 if you have a few months.
- If you are between levels, choose the lower one when the date is close and the higher one when you have at least three months.
- See the study plans for how long the next level usually takes.