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Short answer In the new HSK (HSK 3.0), levels 1 and 2 test listening and reading, and level 2 adds a short writing part. Levels 3 to 6 test listening, reading and writing, plus a separate speaking test that you register for together with the written exam. The written exam takes about 40 minutes at level 1 and about 125 minutes at level 6. The official scoring for HSK 3.0 (maximum points and pass marks) had not been published when we checked on 16 October 2026.
The written exam at a glance
The table follows the official structure for levels 1–6, published by Chinese Testing International in December 2025. Each cell shows the number of questions and the time. The total time includes filling in your personal details and the answer sheet.
| Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Questions | Total time | Speaking test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20, about 12 min | 20, 20 min | none | 40 | about 40 min | none |
| 2 | 25, about 17 min | 25, 25 min | 10, 10 min | 60 | about 60 min | none |
| 3 | 30, about 23 min | 30, 30 min | 10, 20 min | 70 | about 83 min | about 15 min |
| 4 | 32, about 20 min | 32, 30 min | 6, 25 min | 70 | about 85 min | about 20 min |
| 5 | 35, about 25 min | 35, 35 min | 2, 40 min | 72 | about 110 min | about 23 min |
| 6 | 40, about 30 min | 40, 40 min | 2, 45 min | 82 | about 125 min | about 23 min |
The speaking times come from the notice for the pilot exam on 20 September 2026 and include preparation time.
What the writing part asks
The writing part grows from single characters to essays:
- Level 2: two short parts. In one, you write a missing character from its pinyin, for example 你想喝（chá）还是喝咖啡？ with the answer 茶.
- Level 3: you write missing characters from their pinyin, then a sentence with a given word, for example 羽毛球.
- Level 4: five sentences, each with a given word (for example 结账), and a short text of at least 80 characters.
- Level 5: a story of at least 100 characters about four pictures, and an essay of at least 200 characters.
- Level 6: a practical text of at least 150 characters (the sample asks for an ad for a flatmate) and an argumentative essay of at least 300 characters.
In the paper-based exam you write these characters by hand. Writing a character from memory is a different skill from recognising it, so practise it early. Ask your test centre how answers are entered in the computer-based exam.
The speaking test
For levels 3 to 6 you register for the speaking test of the same level at the same time as the written exam. The written exam and the speaking test are scored separately, and each result appears on its own on the score report.
Scoring and results
- HSK 3.0 scoring: not yet published (as of 16 October 2026). Check the score report information for your exam date on chinesetest.cn.
- For comparison, HSK 2.0: levels 1 and 2 have 200 points with a pass mark of 120; levels 3 to 6 have 300 points with a pass mark of 180. Do not assume that these numbers carry over: level 2 now has a writing part, and the structure changed at every level.
- Results: for the 2026 pilot exams, results came 15 days after the computer-based exam and 30 days after the paper-based exam. A score report is valid for two years.
Paper or computer, dates and registration
You register on chinesetest.cn. Test centres offer the paper-based exam, the computer-based exam or both. HSK 3.0 starts worldwide on 13 December 2026; some countries keep HSK 2.0 a little longer, so ask your test centre which version your date uses. Fees are set by each test centre. For levels 3 to 6, the fee for the exam plus speaking test equals the HSK 2.0 fee for the exam plus the matching HSKK.
How to prepare
- Learn the word list of your level first. The exam builds on the official list: 300, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,600 and 5,400 words for levels 1 to 6 (cumulative).
- Train each skill on its own. Recognising a word when you read it does not mean you understand it when you hear it, or can write it from memory.
- Do a mock exam under time pressure. Chinese Testing International runs an official mock test site, hskmock.com, and publishes sample papers.
- Practise writing from level 2 on. Even level 2 asks you to write characters.
How Hanzi By Heart helps
Hanzi By Heart has all 5,400 words of HSK 3.0 levels 1–6. You learn every word three ways, reading, listening and writing, and each skill has its own review schedule, so a word you read well still comes back for listening and handwriting. In writing mode you write the character from memory and the app checks each stroke. If you enter your exam date, the daily plan shows when every word of your levels will have been introduced.
Questions and answers
Is there a speaking test at levels 1 and 2? No. The separate speaking test starts at level 3.
How long is the HSK 3.0 level 4 exam? About 85 minutes for the written exam: 32 listening, 32 reading and 6 writing questions. The level 4 speaking test takes about 20 minutes.
What is the pass mark for HSK 3.0? It has not been published yet (16 October 2026). In HSK 2.0, levels 3 to 6 required 180 of 300 points.
Do I have to write characters by hand? In the paper-based exam, yes, from level 2 on.
Sources
- Chinese Testing International: structure and sample questions for the new HSK levels 1–6 (新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例, published December 2025, effective July 2026; copy at the Confucius Institute Heidelberg)
- Chinese Testing International: notice of the second HSK 3.0 pilot exam on 20 September 2026 (levels, times, speaking test, results)
- Chinese Testing International: HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on 13 December 2026
- Beijing municipal government: registration for the first HSK 3.0 pilot (speaking test for levels 3–6, score reports valid for two years)
- Business Confucius Institute at AUEB: HSK 3.0 structure, written and speaking scores reported separately
- Chinese Testing International: HSK level 4, score report (HSK 2.0, 300 points, pass mark 180)
- Chinese Testing International: HSK candidate handbook, test scores (HSK 2.0)