The HSK (汉语水平考试) is the main international proficiency test in Chinese for non-native speakers: Chinese universities ask for it for Chinese-taught programmes, and scholarship bodies and employers use it too. It is run by Chinese Testing International (CTI). Until the end of November 2026, levels 1–6 are taken in the familiar format; on 13 December 2026 the new HSK 3.0 launches worldwide, with different question counts, new word lists and separate speaking tests for levels 3–6. For admissions, a result is normally valid for two years from the test date.
This guide covers what changes with HSK 3.0, how many words each level needs, which level universities and scholarships require, the remaining 2026 dates, sample fees and how to prepare.
Autumn 2026 at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When does HSK 3.0 start | 13 December 2026, worldwide |
| Registration deadline for 13 December | Paper-based: 16 November; computer-based at a centre: 3 December 2026 (Beijing time); some centres close earlier |
| What is held in October and November | HSK 1–6 in the previous (2.0) format, plus HSK 7–9 on 22 November |
| How many levels | Nine: HSK 1–6 as separate tests, HSK 7–9 as one exam |
| Words needed for HSK 4 | 2,000 under the HSK 3.0 lists |
| Result validity | Two years from the test date for admissions |
| Where to register | www.chinesetest.cn, choosing a test centre and date; some centres register candidates directly |
HSK 2.0 or HSK 3.0: which one are you taking?
The reform was announced in stages: first new proficiency standards for international Chinese education, then in November 2025 a new test syllabus (考试大纲) with an implementation date of July 2026. CTI has set the first HSK 3.0 test for 13 December 2026.
| 2026 test date | Exam |
|---|---|
| 17 October, 7 November | HSK 1–6 in the 2.0 format and HSKK speaking tests |
| 22 November | HSK 7–9 (computer-based at a centre only) |
| 13 December | First HSK 3.0 test for levels 1–6 |
The Saint Petersburg State University testing centre, for example, states that its second-half 2026 sessions use the 2.0 format and the 13 December session the 3.0 format. If you need a result for spring 2027 admissions, decide whether you can sit the old format in October or November or should prepare straight for December with the new lists.
HSK 3.0 levels: words, characters and format
Figures come from CTI's official syllabus and sample papers. Word and character counts are cumulative: HSK 4 includes everything in levels 1–3.
| Level | Words | Characters to read | Characters to write | Questions | Sections | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 | 246 | — | 40 | listening, reading | ~40 min |
| HSK 2 | 500 | 371 | 100 | 60 | listening, reading, writing | ~60 min |
| HSK 3 | 1,000 | 655 | 250 | 70 | listening, reading, writing | ~83 min |
| HSK 4 | 2,000 | 1,096 | 400 | 70 | listening, reading, writing | ~85 min |
| HSK 5 | 3,600 | 1,527 | 550 | 72 | listening, reading, writing | ~110 min |
| HSK 6 | 5,400 | 1,940 | 700 | 82 | listening, reading, writing | ~125 min |
| HSK 7–9 | 11,000 | 3,088 | 1,200 | 91 | listening, reading, writing, translation, speaking | ~200 min |
Durations include 5 minutes for personal details and time to transfer listening answers.
CTI's level descriptors in brief: HSK 1 — simple everyday exchanges; HSK 2–3 — basic, then effective communication in daily life, study and work; HSK 4 — complete and coherent communication in those settings, the usual starting point for a Chinese-taught degree; HSK 5–6 — accurate, then fluent communication in academic, workplace and general professional settings; HSK 7–9 — standard, then in-depth and finally precise communication in professional and academic contexts.
HSK 3.0 speaking tests
| Speaking test | Tasks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 3 | 15: repeat what you hear (8), describe a picture (5), answer questions (2) | ~15 min incl. 6 min preparation |
| HSK 4 | 5: retell a recording (2), describe a picture (1), answer questions (2) | ~20 min incl. 10 min preparation |
| HSK 5 | 5: same three task types, longer retelling | ~23 min |
| HSK 6 | 5: same three task types | ~23 min |
At HSK 7–9 speaking is built into the main exam and takes about 20 minutes.
How HSK 3.0 differs from the previous HSK
| HSK 2.0 (until December 2026) | HSK 3.0 (from 13 December 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Levels | 6 | 9 (1–6 and combined 7–9) |
| Words for HSK 1 / HSK 4 / HSK 6 | over 150 / 1,200 / 5,000 | 300 / 2,000 / 5,400 |
| HSK 4 | 100 questions, about 1 h 45 min | 70 questions, about 85 min |
| Handwriting | No separate writing character list | A separate list of characters to write from HSK 2 |
| Speaking | HSKK at three levels, separate from the written test | Speaking tests for levels 3–6; built into HSK 7–9 |
| Pass mark | HSK 1–2: 120; HSK 3–6: 180; HSKK: 60 | Not stated in the CTI materials published by our check date |
In practice, vocabulary requirements rose most at the lower and middle levels: HSK 1 now needs 300 words instead of about 150, and HSK 4 needs 2,000 instead of about 1,200. At HSK 6 the gap is smaller (5,400 versus about 5,000), but the task formats change. Old textbooks are still useful for grammar and listening, but take word lists from the new syllabus.
Which HSK level do you need?
The threshold is set by the university or funder. Examples from official 2026 documents:
| Goal | Requirement (example) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese-taught bachelor's | HSK 4 with at least 180 points | Xinjiang Medical University, 2026 intake |
| Graduating from an English-taught MBBS | HSK 4 with at least 180 points to receive the degree | Jiangsu University |
| International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, one semester | HSK 3 from 180 points plus an HSKK result | Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) |
| Same scholarship, one academic year | HSK 3 from 210–270 points, or HSK 4 from 180 with HSKK 60, depending on track | BLCU |
| Same scholarship, bachelor's | HSK 4 from 210 points and intermediate HSKK from 60 | BLCU |
| Same scholarship, master's | HSK 5 from 210 points and intermediate HSKK from 60 | BLCU |
| Same scholarship, doctorate | HSK 6 from 200 points and advanced HSKK from 60, or HSK 7 | BLCU |
English-taught programmes usually ask for IELTS or TOEFL instead of HSK, although Chinese is still a compulsory subject. See our guides to bachelor's degrees in China and master's degrees in China, and our China country page for the wider picture.
How long is an HSK result valid?
CTI states that HSK scores are valid for two years from the test date, and scholarship schemes such as the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship accept HSK and HSKK results within two years. Time your test so the result is still valid on the application date, not just at enrolment.
Remaining HSK dates in 2026
| Exam | Date | Registration: paper / computer | Results: paper / computer |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1–6 and HSKK (2.0) | 17 October | closed 20 September / 7 October | 17 November / 2 November |
| HSK 1–6 and HSKK (2.0) | 7 November | 11 October / 28 October | 7 December / 23 November |
| HSK 7–9 | 22 November | — / 8 November | 22 December |
| HSK 3.0, levels 1–6 | 13 December | 16 November / 3 December | 15 January 2027 / 28 December |
Dates follow the CTI calendar. Centres may close registration earlier: the Saint Petersburg State University testing centre takes registrations for 13 December from 16 September to 13 October 2026.
Where to take the HSK
The HSK is run by CTI-accredited centres, often Confucius Institutes and university testing centres, in more than 160 countries. Search for centres and dates on www.chinesetest.cn; schedules change from session to session. CTI offers paper-based, computer-based at a centre and computer-based at home formats, but not every centre offers all three.
CTI's centre list (checked 24 September 2026) includes, for example: in Russia, Moscow (Confucius Institutes at Lomonosov Moscow State University and Moscow State Linguistic University), St Petersburg (Confucius Institute at St Petersburg State University), Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Irkutsk and Vladivostok; in Kazakhstan, Astana (BLCU's branch in Kazakhstan, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University), Almaty, Karaganda, Semey and Aktobe; in Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Not every centre runs every session or format, so check the centre's page when you register.
Example fees from one centre, the Saint Petersburg State University testing centre in Russia, for 2026 (including its registration fee):
| Test | Fee |
|---|---|
| HSK 1 or HSK 2 | RUB 3,000 ($36) |
| HSK 3 + beginner speaking | RUB 7,000 ($83) |
| HSK 4 + intermediate speaking | RUB 8,000 ($95) |
| HSK 5 or HSK 6 + advanced speaking | RUB 10,000 ($119) |
Fees and bundles differ between centres. If you are testing for admissions, register with your passport details so the certificate matches your university documents. At that centre, candidates bring the admission ticket (sent 10–14 days before), the registered ID, two 2B pencils, an eraser and a sharpener, and arrive 30–40 minutes early.
How to prepare for HSK 3.0
- Start with the official syllabus. It has five parts: communicative tasks, topics, vocabulary, grammar and characters, and it is free on chinesetest.cn with sample papers and audio for every level.
- Pick the level your goal needs. If a university asks for HSK 4, a strong score plus the speaking test may matter more than attempting HSK 5.
- Do a timed mock. Running out of time is the most common reason for low scores: in the new HSK 4 you have 30 minutes for 32 reading questions.
- Practise handwriting early. From HSK 2 there is a separate list of characters you must write by hand.
- Train speaking separately. Retelling a recording in 40 seconds (HSK 4) or 1.5 minutes (HSK 5–6) is a skill of its own.
- Leave time for a resit. Results take 2–4 weeks, and a centre may hold only a few sessions a year.
If you plan to learn Chinese in China, see our guides to Chinese language programmes in China and the foundation year.
Common mistakes
- Preparing with the old lists for the 13 December test, which is already HSK 3.0.
- Relying on CTI's deadline when your centre closes a month earlier.
- Testing three years before applying, when results count for two.
- Skipping the speaking test: some programmes want both results, for example the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for most study tracks.
- Registering with a document other than the passport you will use for your application.
FAQ
The new version of the HSK with nine levels, new word and character lists and separate speaking tests for levels 3–6. CTI launches it worldwide on 13 December 2026.
2,000 words cumulatively under the HSK 3.0 syllabus, plus about 1,100 characters to read and 400 to write. The old HSK 4 required about 1,200 words.
Yes. On 17 October and 7 November 2026, levels 1–6 are held in the 2.0 format where centres run those sessions. From 13 December HSK 3.0 applies.
Usually HSK 4 for a Chinese-taught bachelor's and HSK 5 for a master's, sometimes higher. The exact level and minimum score are in each university's brochure.
Centres set their own fees. At the Saint Petersburg State University testing centre in 2026, HSK 1–2 costs RUB 3,000 ($36) and HSK 4 with the speaking test RUB 8,000 ($95).
HSK results are valid for two years from the test date for admissions and scholarship purposes.
On the 2026 calendar, about 2–4 weeks after the test for computer-based and about a month for paper-based tests, on chinesetest.cn.
Sources
- CTI — HSK 3.0 launches worldwide on 13 December 2026
- CTI — Chinese test dates 2026
- CTI — HSK 3.0 test syllabus (PDF; published November 2025, implemented July 2026)
- CTI — HSK 3.0 competency descriptors (PDF)
- CTI — HSK 3.0 sample papers (archive)
- CTI — HSK 4 page: 2.0 format, pass mark and score validity
- Saint Petersburg State University testing centre — HSK schedule and fees 2026
- Saint Petersburg State University testing centre — HSK 3.0 overview (PDF)
- BLCU — International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2026
- Xinjiang Medical University — 2026 admission requirements
- Jiangsu University — MBBS and HSK 4 graduation requirement
- Bank of Russia — official rate, 23 Sep 2026
Rouble fees are converted at the Bank of Russia official rate of 23 September 2026 ($1 = RUB 84.07), as the ECB does not publish a rouble rate.
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Next steps
- Bachelor's Degree in China: How to Apply for the 2027 Intake
- Master's in China: Requirements, Deadlines and Fees for 2027
- Foundation Year in China: Which Format to Choose and What It Costs
- Chinese Language Programmes in China: University Courses, 2026 Fees, Visas and Scholarships
- Studying in China for international applicants
- Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)
