HSK EXAM

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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.

It is managed by Hanban, the same branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education that oversees Confucius Institutes worldwide.

You can take the HSK at authorized test centers around the globe, including universities, private language schools, and Confucius Institutes.

HSK exam questions and dates are standardized worldwide, but not all test centers offer the exam 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

  • HSK 1 —— Understand basic Chinese words and simple phrases.

  • HSK 2 —— Use basic Chinese to handle simple everyday tasks.

  • HSK 3 —— Communicate in daily life for study and work needs.

  • HSK 4 —— Discuss a wide range of topics fluently with native speakers.

  • HSK 5 —— Speak fluently and read Chinese newspapers with ease.

  • HSK 6 —— Express yourself freely in spoken and written Chinese.

  • HSK 7 —— Communicate complex ideas clearly and understand specialized content in Chinese.

  • HSK 8 —— Discuss professional topics in depth and handle sophisticated language tasks.

  • HSK 9 —— Use Chinese at a near-native level for advanced academic research and high-level professional work.
Level Vocabulary Duration CEF
HSK 1 300 words 40 min A1
HSK 2 600 words 55 min A2
HSK 3 900 words 90 min B1
HSK 4 1200 words 105 min B2
HSK 5 2500 words 120 min C1
HSK 6 5000 words 135 min C2
HSK 7 11,092 words 210 min -
HSK 8 11,092 words 210 min -
HSK 9 11,092 words 210 min -
HSK Chinese Testing Service Center

Exam Content

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

HSK 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 HSK 6 WITH RPL

Anthea came to China with zero knowledge of Chinese and left a year later with a HSK 6 certificate.
Follow Emma's story at RPL. She passed the HSK 6 simply by studying online with RPL

HSK Exam Preparation Course Prices

Regular Course Options & Pricing

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


Duration Discount Price
2 weeks -0% 9,980
4 weeks -5% 18,962
6 weeks -14% 25,748
8 weeks -22% 31,137
more than 12weeks -25% 3,700/week

Regular Course Options & Pricing

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


Duration Discount Price
2 weeks -0% 15,500
4 weeks -5% 29,450
6 weeks -14% 39,990
8 weeks -22% 48,360
more than 12weeks -25% 3,700/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.

With this kit, you'll get a clear study plan, practice with mock exams, tips to tackle the real test, and 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 —— 980CNY

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes you can. We provide HSK preparation courses (standard or intensive) as shown on this page or online HSK courses, of which we have five in total.

All the aforementioned courses are aimed about passing the HSK exam.

Your teacher will guide and assess your Chinese language level throughout your course with RPL.

They will tell you what your level is and what exam you should be aiming to take. You can then prepare for this accordingly.

Currently, as of 2020, there are 6 HSK levels, HSK 6 being the most advanced.

Absolutely, if you want to take an Online HSK course check out our dedicated course page by visiting the link.

  • HSK 1 - 150 words


  • HSK 2 - 300 words

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  • HSK 3 - 600 words

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  • HSK 4 - 1,200 words

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  • HSK 5 - 2,500 words

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  • HSK 6 - 5,000 words

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You are under no obligations to take any exam when you learn Chinese. An oral test or a speaking test is just a way of gaining a grade. If you need this on your CV for a potential job then yes, the HSK Exam is worth taking. If you have a personal goal and want to reach a certain level of Chinese proficiency, then yes why not take the test. Otherwise the choice is completely up to you.

We believe the computer test is a favourable choice because it cuts down the chance of losing marks and points on your exam paper. If you take the written test you must physically write down every character. If you slip up, you lose marks. With the computer exam you type the pinyin and the characters will appear on the computer. Although you still need to know which character to apply you cannot get the script of the character wrong this way. If you don't know the answer you can make an educated guess which can often lead to you getting certain questions correct where you may have otherwise failed.

We have free HSK tests on our website you can take right now.

Bare in mind, these are simply vocabulary tests and not a mock of an official HSK test.

Our test will examine your ability on all the vocabulary for that given level, try it now!

OUR FREE HSK TESTS —— RPL HSK Tests

No, only HSK 1 and HSK 2 have pinyin, after this the exams are solely using Chinese characters.

We have indeed, many in fact. If you wish to speak to any of them, do let us know.

You can also check out a blog post and a video from two of our HSK students of the past.

The THSKK is the spoken version of the HSK exam.

There are 3 levels in total, beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Since 2022, all overseas HSK3 to HSK6 test takers are required to take both HSK and HSK Oral Test.

The written and spoken part will come as a combo package. This change will only affect all overseas HSK testing sites.Testing sites in China will not be affected.