Complete Guide to the HSK Exam

The HSK Exam (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, 汉语水平考试) is China's official Mandarin proficiency test.

Hanban, a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education, administers the exam and also oversees Confucius Institutes worldwide.

You can take it at authorized test centers worldwide—such as universities, private language schools, and Confucius Institutes.

It follows standardized questions and dates across the globe, although not every test center offers it every month.

Many students choose to take the HSK in China-to assess their Chinese level, reach personal goals, or advance their careers. At RPL, we support you with tailored programs and packages to prepare and register for the exam.

HSK TEST LEVELS 1-9

  • Level 1 —— Understand basic Chinese words and simple phrases.
  • Level 2 —— Use basic Chinese to handle simple everyday tasks.
  • Level 3 —— Communicate in daily life for study and work needs.
  • Level 4 —— Discuss a wide range of topics fluently with native speakers.
  • Level 5 —— Speak fluently and read Chinese newspapers with ease.
  • Level 6 —— Express yourself freely in spoken and written Chinese.
  • Level 7 —— Communicate complex ideas clearly and understand specialized content in Chinese.
  • Level 8 —— Discuss professional topics in depth and handle sophisticated language tasks.
  • Level 9 —— Use Chinese at a near-native level for advanced academic research and high-level professional work.
Level Vocabulary Duration CEF
Level 1 300 words 40 min A1
Level 2 600 words 55 min A2
Level 3 900 words 90 min B1
Level 4 1200 words 105 min B2
Level 5 2500 words 120 min C1
Level 6 5000 words 135 min C2
Level 7 11,092 words 210 min -
Level 8 11,092 words 210 min -
Level 9 11,092 words 210 min -

Exam Content

The HSK exam assesses your Chinese language skills in listening, reading, and writing.

And it is scores are valid for two years, starting from the test date.

Total Score: 200 points | Pass Mark: 120 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 20 15
Reading 20 17
Total 40 35

Total Score: 200 points | Pass Mark: 120 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 35 ~25
Reading 25 22
Total 60 ~50

Total Score: 300 points | Pass Mark: 180 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 40 ~35
Reading 30 30
Writing 10 15
Total 80 ~85

Total Score: 300 points | Pass Mark: 180 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 45 ~30
Reading 40 40
Writing 15 25
Total 100 ~100

Total Score: 300 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 45 ~30
Reading 45 45
Writing 10 40
Total 100 ~120

Total Score: 300 points

Structure Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening 50 ~35
Reading 50 50
Writing 1 45
Total 101 ~135
Structure Content Number of Questions Exam Duration (minutes)
Listening Including news reports, business negotiations, debates, interviews, speeches/lectures, documentaries, and conference presentations. 40 ~30
Reading Including news reports, popular science articles, survey reports, academic literature, Chinese culture, and an overview of China. 47 60
Writing Describe and analyze charts; express and justify your own opinions based on given topics. 2 55
Translation Translate or interpret various foreign-language texts into Chinese, including expository writing, narrative writing, and argumentative essays. 4 41
Speaking Paraphrase or express your own opinions on materials such as practical writing, narrative texts, and argumentative essays. 5 ~24
Total 98 ~210

PASSING THE LEVEL 6 WITH RPL

Students come to Beihai with zero knowledge of Chinese and achieve HSK success through our immersive learning environment and expert instruction.
Discover how RPL School's comprehensive HSK preparation courses help international students achieve Chinese language proficiency test success

HSK Exam Preparation Course Prices

Regular Course Options & Pricing

  • HSK Standard —— 20h 1-on-1 HSK classes

Duration Discount Price
2 weeks -0% 1,386USD
4 weeks -5% 2,633USD
6 weeks -14% 3,576USD
8 weeks -22% 4,324USD
more than 12weeks -25% 513USD/week

Regular Course Options & Pricing

  • HSK Intensive —— 30h 1-on-1 HSK classes

Duration Discount Price
2 weeks -0% 2,152USD
4 weeks -5% 4,090USD
6 weeks -14% 5,554USD
8 weeks -22% 6,716USD
more than 12weeks -25% 807USD/week

HSK EXAM PREPARATION KIT

The RPL HSK Exam Preparation Kit is designed to help you pass your HSK with confidence. Our experts focus on the exact vocabulary and grammar you need - no wasted time, just what's tested.

This kit provides a clear and structured study plan. You can practice with mock exams and receive tips for tackling the real test. The kit also provides full support for the registration and payment process.

All you need to do is follow the plan - and pass your exam.

The Process

HSK Exam Process

What's Included

  • Personal HSK level assessment and a tailored study plan

  • Full mock test with detailed feedback and analysis

  • Five sets of real past HSK test papers with audio CDs

  • Official HSK test syllabus for reference

  • Full assistance with exam sign-up and staff support

COST —— 138USD

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can. We offer five HSK preparation courses, including standard, intensive, and online options. All of our courses are specifically designed to help you pass the HSK exam.

Your teacher will assess your Chinese language level throughout your course with RPL. They will inform you of your current HSK level and advise which exam you should aim for, allowing you to prepare accordingly.

As of 2020, there are 6 HSK levels, with HSK 6 being the most advanced.

Absolutely. You can take an online HSK course by visiting our dedicated course page.

HSK exams are held at official HSK test centers worldwide. You can register for a test at a nearby center or check for authorized locations through the official HSK website.

You are not required to take an HSK exam while learning Chinese. Exams, including oral or speaking tests, are simply a way to assess your level. If you need the HSK certificate for your CV or to achieve a personal goal in Chinese proficiency, taking the exam is worthwhile. Otherwise, the decision is entirely up to you.

The written test is generally harder because you must manually write every character, and any mistake can cost you marks. In contrast, the computer test allows you to type the pinyin, and the correct characters appear automatically. This reduces the chance of losing points due to writing errors. Additionally, the computer format makes it easier to make educated guesses, which can help you answer questions correctly that you might have missed on the written test.

Yes! We offer free HSK vocabulary tests on our website that you can take immediately. Please note, these tests focus on vocabulary for each level and are not full official mock exams. They are a great way to assess your knowledge and practice before taking an official HSK test. Try our RPL HSK Tests today!

No. Only HSK 1 and HSK 2 include Pinyin. From HSK 3 onward, the exams use Chinese characters only.

The HSK is the spoken version of the HSK exam. It has three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Since 2022, all overseas test takers for HSK 3 to HSK 6 are required to take both the HSK and the HSK Oral Test as a combined package. This change applies only to overseas testing sites; testing sites in China are not affected.