HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test)
Chinese Testing International (CTI)
Other languageChinese (Mandarin)
China's main Chinese-language proficiency test for non-native speakers, used by Chinese universities for admission and scholarships. A new version, HSK 3.0, launches worldwide on 13 December 2026.
Details
- Format
- Until the switch, HSK has six levels (HSK 1–6) plus a combined HSK 7–9 exam, and speaking is tested separately in the HSKK. For example, HSK 4 has Listening (about 30 minutes), Reading (40 minutes) and Writing (25 minutes), about 100 minutes in total. HSK 3.0 uses a 'three stages, nine levels' framework and tests listening, speaking, reading, writing and, at advanced levels, translation. It follows a new syllabus (published November 2025) with changes to question types, number of questions and test length.
- Scoring
- In the current HSK, HSK 4 is scored out of 300 (with separate Listening, Reading and Writing scores), and 180 is a pass. Chinese-taught degree programmes often ask for HSK 4 or HSK 5, but check each university, as requirements may be updated for HSK 3.0.
- Results valid for
- HSK scores are valid for 2 years from the exam date, according to the organiser.
- How you take it
- Paper-based or internet-based at a test centre, or an internet-based home edition where offered. For the first HSK 3.0 date (13 December 2026), registration closes on 16 November 2026 for the paper-based test and 3 December 2026 for the computer-based test (Beijing time).