HSK: Learning Chinese

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By LoSimplifica · Updated June 2026 · 10 min read

1. What is the HSK?

The HSK (汉语水平考试, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is the official Chinese language proficiency test for non-native speakers, administered by Chinese Testing International (CTI), a government-affiliated body under China's Ministry of Education. It is the most widely recognized Mandarin Chinese proficiency certification in the world, accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities in China and internationally.

The HSK is taken by over 30 million learners worldwide, with test centers in 155+ countries. It tests reading, listening, and writing — with speaking tested separately through the HSKK (HSK Speaking Test).

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2. Levels and what they mean

The current HSK uses a 6-level system (transitioning to 9 levels under HSK 3.0 from July 2026). Each level corresponds roughly to a CEFR band.

HSK Level	CEFR equivalent	Vocabulary	What you can do
HSK 1	A1	150 words	Basic greetings, simple everyday phrases
HSK 2	A2	300 words	Simple conversations on familiar topics
HSK 3	B1	600 words	Communicate in most everyday situations
HSK 4	B2	1,200 words	Discuss a wide range of topics fluently; minimum for most Chinese university undergraduate admissions
HSK 5	C1	2,500 words	Read newspapers, watch films; strong academic Chinese
HSK 6	C2	5,000+ words	Near-native fluency; required for graduate study and professional roles in China
HSK 7-9	C2+	Advanced	Expert-level; professional and academic careers requiring mastery of Chinese

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3. Format and sections

Each HSK level tests Listening, Reading, and Writing. The difficulty and number of questions increase with each level. Speaking is tested separately via HSKK.

Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Total time
HSK 1	20 questions	20 questions	No	~40 min
HSK 2	35 questions	25 questions	No	~55 min
HSK 3	40 questions	30 questions	10 questions	~90 min
HSK 4	45 questions	40 questions	15 questions	~105 min
HSK 5	45 questions	45 questions	10 questions	~125 min
HSK 6	50 questions	50 questions	1 essay	~140 min

Tests are available as internet-based (IBT) at authorized computer centers, or paper-based at select locations. IBT results arrive in approximately 2 weeks; paper-based results take about 1 month.

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4. Scoring and passing

Each section is scored out of 100, giving a total of 300 points. The passing threshold is 180 points (60%) at all levels. You do not need to pass each section individually — only the total matters.

Section	Max score	Passing total
Listening	100	180/300 (60% of total)
Reading	100
Writing	100

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5. Why take the HSK?

• Study in China: Most Chinese universities require HSK 4+ for undergraduate and HSK 5+ for postgraduate admission.
• Chinese government scholarships (CSC): Most scholarship programs require HSK 4 or above.
• Employment: Companies with China operations increasingly value HSK certification, especially for roles requiring Mandarin.
• Visa and immigration: Some visa categories in China recognize HSK scores.
• Personal milestone: A clear, internationally recognized benchmark for your Chinese level.

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6. Test dates and scheduling

HSK 1-6 is offered approximately 11 times per year worldwide. HSK 7-9 is offered only twice per year (May and November). Registration closes 10 days before for IBT and 27 days before for paper-based. Register at chinesetest.cn.

Level	Frequency	Format	IBT registration deadline
HSK 1-6	~11 dates per year	IBT or Paper	10 days before exam
HSK 7-9	May and November only	IBT only	14 days before exam

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7. Prep resources