The Ultimate Guide to the HSK
March 03, 2022
If you’re studying Chinese, you’ve probably heard about the HSK. Find out everything you want to know and things you may never have thought to ask about the exam.
If you are ready to take for the HSK, you can check out our step-by-step guide on how to register for the HSK.
What is the HSK?
History of the HSK
Why should I take the HSK?
What about the new HSK exams?
How many HSK levels are there?
How many characters are on the HSK?
How long is the HSK exam?
When is the HSK offered?
Where can I take the HSK?
Where can I take the HSK outside China?
What is a passing grade for the HSK?
How do I know what HSK level I should take?
Can I skip HSK levels without doing the earlier levels?
Does the HSK cost money?
Do I have to write Chinese characters on the HSK?
Will the HSK test my oral Chinese?
When do I get my HSK results?
How do I get my HSK results? How long are my HSK results valid for?
What is the HSK?
HSK is short for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Proficiency Exam). The HSK is the official language examination to test non-native Chinese speakers’ language level. It is designed and offered by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) for people studying Chinese.
You can think of the HSK as the Chinese version of the Common European Framework (CEF), though these are just estimations. Many sinologists agree that the HSK levels are not directly equivalent to the CEF levels.
| HSK Level | CEF Level |
|---|---|
| HSK 1 | A1 |
| HSK 2 | A2 |
| HSK 3 | B1 |
| HSK 4 | B2 |
| HSK 5 | C1 |
| HSK 6 | C2 |
History of the HSK
The earliest version of the HSK was developed in 1984 by the Beijing Language Institute (now know as Beijing Language and Culture University). Initially, the HSK only covered beginner Chinese but was later expanded to include more advanced learners; there were 11 levels in total.In 1992, the HSK was recognized as a national standardized exam for the Chinese language.
The HSK was revised in 2010 and reduced to six HSK levels.
In November 2022, three *new* advanced levels of the HSK were added: HSK 7,8,9.
Why should I take the HSK?
For fun! Just kidding. (Unless test-taking is your hobby—you do you.) Passing Level 4 and above is beneficial to foreigners interested in living, working, or studying in China. You can attend a Chinese university and get a job in a Chinese company. A passing score can even improve your odds of getting a Chinese work visa.
On the other hand, HSK 7-9 are meant to assess the candidates' translation skills, so if you pass the exam, you could potentially land a translation gig, though we don't know how the HSK7-9 compares to other the Chinese translation certificate CATTI or a degree in Chinese translation.
What about the new HSK exams?
In 2020, Chinese Teaching International announced changes to the HSK exams. The changes include expanding the HSK to nine levels broken into three bands (levels 1-3 will be “beginner”, levels 4-6 will be “intermediate”, and levels 7-9 will be “advanced”).
However, it was announced in 2021 that the new exams will not debut immediately. Level 7-9 were scheduled to arrive in March 2022 while levels 1-6 will be rolled out over the next three to five years.
You can read more about the announcement here.
In November 2022, the new HSK 7-9 were finally launched. Unlike the other HSK levels which come with their own exam, these three new levels are tested with just one exam, and your HSK level (HSK 7, 8, or 9) will be assigned depending on your score.
How many HSK levels are there?
Currently, nine. HSK 1 is the most basic, and HSK 9 is the most advanced.How many characters are on the HSK?
Each level of the HSK requires a different number of characters. HSK 1 requires 150 characters, HSK 2 requires 300 characters, HSK 3 requires 600 characters, HSK 4 requires 1200 characters, HSK 5 requires 2500 characters, HSK 6 requires 5000, and HSK7-9 requires 10636 characters.
How long is the HSK exam?
HSK exam length varies by level. HSK 1 takes 40 minutes, HSK 2 takes 55 minutes, HSK 3 takes 90 minutes, HSK 4 takes 105 minutes, HSK 5 takes 125 minutes, HSK 6 takes 140 minutes, and HSK 7-9 takes 210 minutes.When is the HSK offered?
The HSK is offered monthly at various locations. To find the date most suitable for you, check the HSK testing dates for 2023.
Exams are on Saturday or Sunday. (Double check when you register.)
Levels 2, 4, and 6 test at 9:00am. Be there by 8:30.
Levels 1, 3, and 5 test at 13:30. Be there by 13:00.
Where can I take the HSK?
You can take the exam both in China and in countries across the globe. When you register, you can select your continent, country, and nearest testing center. Often the test is held in local Confucius Institutes or universities.
Where can I take the HSK outside China?
The HSK is available in 62 countries outside China, however, the exam format options may vary.
| ASIA | EUROPE | AFRICA | AMERICA | OCEANIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 1. Estonia | 1. Egypt | 1. Brazil | 1. Australia |
| 2. Pakistan | 2. Austria | 2. Togo | 2. Bolivia | 2. New Zealand |
| 3. Bahrain | 3. Belarus | 3. Ghana | 3. The Dominican Republic | |
| 4. Republic of Korea | 4. Bulgaria | 4. Gabon | 4. Ecuador | |
| 5. Laos | 5. Belgium | 5. Rwanda | 5. Colombia | |
| 6. Lebanon | 6. Denmark | 6. Morocco | 6. Cuba | |
| 7. Malaysia | 7. Germany | 7. South Africa | 7. Canada | |
| 8. Japan | 8. Russia | 8. Nigeria | 8. U.S.A. | |
| 9. Sri Lanka | 9. France | 9. Zambia | 9. Peru | |
| 10. Thailand | 10. The Netherlands | 10. Mexico | ||
| 11. Turkey | 11. Czech | 11. Jamaica | ||
| 12. Iran | 12. Croatia | |||
| 13. Indonesia | 13. Latvia | |||
| 14. Vietnam | 14. Lithuania | |||
| 15. Romania | ||||
| 16. Macedonia | ||||
| 17. Portugal | ||||
| 18. Sweden | ||||
| 19. Switzerland | ||||
| 20. Serbia | ||||
| 21. Cyprus | ||||
| 22. Slovenia | ||||
| 23. Ukraine | ||||
| 24. Spain | ||||
| 25. Greece | ||||
| 26. Hungary | ||||
| 27. Italy | ||||
| 28. U.K. |
What is a passing grade for the HSK?
If you take HSK level 1 or level 2, the maximum grade is 200. A passing grade is 120 points or higher.
If you take HSK levels 3, 4, 5, or 6 the maximum grade is 300. A passing grade is 180 points or higher.
How do I know what HSK level I should take?
You should take the HSK exam which most closely matches your Chinese proficiency level.
Here is a chart detailing how many words you need for each HSK level as well as what you should be able to do in Chinese at each HSK level.
| HSK Level | Current HSK Vocabulary | New HSK Vocabular | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 150 | 500 | Understand and use basic words and phrases |
| HSK 2 | 300 | 1272 | Communicate simply on daily topics |
| HSK 3 | 600 | 2245 | Communicate on most basic topics related to life, work, and study |
| HSK 4 | 1200 | 3245 | Discuss a wide range of topics fluently in common situations |
| HSK 5 | 2500 | 4316 | Read Chinese newspapers and magazines and watch Chinese TV and movies |
| HSK 6 | 5000 | 5456 | Understand most of what you read and hear and can express yourself fluently |
| HSK 7-9 | - | 11092 | Communicate fluently on various topics, and conduct professional translation work |
If you aren’t sure what level HSK you should prepare for, you can download previous versions of the exam for a practice run or try a free level evaluation.
Can I skip HSK levels without doing the earlier levels?
Yes, you can skip levels on the HSK without taking the exam for the earlier levels, and jump directly to your HSK level because you do not have to do the HSK tests in order. In other words, you can take the HSK 6 without doing the HSK 1-5, or take the HSK 2 without doing the HSK 1.
Does the HSK cost money?
They say the best things in life are free, but the exam does indeed cost. The price varies by level.
| HSK1 CNY150 | HSK2 CNY250 | HSK3 CNY350 |
|---|---|---|
| HSK4 CNY450 | HSK5 CNY550 | HSK6 CNY650 |
| HSK7-9 CNY1000 |
Do I have to write Chinese characters on the HSK?
No, you don't have to if you are located in China. There is also the option of a computer-based test, so you can type the characters instead. If you want to test your writing knowledge, sign up for the paper-based test. Maybe brush up on your pinyin and stroke order.
If you are outside of China, the availability of the computer-based test is limited. Double-check when you register.
Will the HSK test my oral Chinese?
No, the current HSK does not test candidates' speaking skills. If you want to evaluate your spoken Chinese level, sign up for the HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi)-the Chinese Oral Proficiency Exam.The HSKK has 3 levels—Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced.
However, this will likely change in the future since under the new HSK, a speaking test will be included in the HSK exam for HSK3, HSK4, HSK5, HSK6, and HSK7-9.
When do I get my HSK results?
HSK results for the computer-based exam usually come out two weeks after the exam date, while results for the paper-based HSK are announced about one month after the exam date. You can check the exact HSK results dates here.
How do I get my HSK results?
You can get your HSK results by logging into your account on the website where you registered for the exam. For more detailed instructions on how to view your results, check out this blog.
How long are my HSK results valid for?
Your HSK certificate is valid indefinitely, but most Chinese unversities and employers only accept HSK results that are no more than two years old after your exam date.
Want to make sure you are ready for the exam? Sign up for our HSK prep classes.
About the Author
Eden has been learning Chinese since 2008. She fell in love with the language, food, and culture and never looked back! Eden lived in China for six years, including in Harbin, Beijing, and Dali.
