Overview
HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, the "Chinese Proficiency Test") is the standardised test of Mandarin Chinese for people who are not native speakers. It is run by China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation, the Ministry of Education body formerly known as Hanban, and administered worldwide through Chinese Testing International. Registration, test centres and results are managed through the official HSK website.
HSK is the test Chinese universities, employers in China and Chinese government scholarship schemes point to when they need proof of a learner's Chinese level. It covers listening and reading at every level, with writing, speaking and (at the top levels) translation added as the level rises.
Note
China's Ministry of Education approved a revised nine-level HSK standard ("HSK 3.0") in 2021, replacing the current six-level HSK over time. For 2026, the original six-level HSK is still the version held at most test centres worldwide, while the nine-level version is being introduced through pilot administrations. Confirm which version your test centre is offering for your chosen date on the official HSK website before you register.
Who can apply
HSK is open to any non-native speaker of Chinese, anywhere in the world, regardless of age or nationality. There is no prerequisite qualification and no requirement to study at a particular institution. Candidates choose the level that matches their current ability — there is no rule that a lower level must be passed before attempting a higher one.
Levels
The original HSK (six levels)
| Level | Broad ability | Skills tested |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Understands and uses very basic, familiar everyday phrases | Listening, Reading |
| HSK 2 | Communicates simply on familiar, everyday topics | Listening, Reading |
| HSK 3 | Handles basic routine, academic and professional situations | Listening, Reading, Writing |
| HSK 4 | Discusses a fairly wide range of topics fluently | Listening, Reading, Writing |
| HSK 5 | Reads Chinese newspapers and magazines, gives a connected speech | Listening, Reading, Writing |
| HSK 6 | Understands spoken and written Chinese with ease | Listening, Reading, Writing |
HSK 6, the highest level of the original test, expects around 5,000 vocabulary items. Its three sections are each marked out of 100: Listening has 3 parts and 50 questions in about 35 minutes; Reading has 4 parts and 50 questions in 50 minutes; Writing is a single task — read a roughly 1,000-character story for 10 minutes, then retell it in about 400 characters in 35 minutes.
Speaking is assessed separately from the main written/listening paper, through HSKK (HSK Speaking Test), offered at Primary, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
The revised HSK (nine levels, "HSK 3.0")
The revised standard groups nine levels into three bands:
| Band | Levels | Vocabulary (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 1–3 | 500 words (Level 1) rising to 2,245 words (Level 3) |
| Intermediate | 4–6 | From 3,245 words (Level 4), rising further through Levels 5 and 6 |
| Advanced | 7–9 | Rising to about 11,000 words by Level 9 |
Listening and reading are tested at every level. Speaking is added from around Level 3, handwriting Chinese characters (rather than only recognising them) from around Level 5, and translation between Chinese and the candidate's other language is added at the top band, Levels 7 to 9.
Exam pattern
HSK is offered as a paper-based test and as an internet-based test (computer-delivered) at authorised test centres, with Levels 1–6 held on a frequent schedule through the year and the top levels (7–9) offered less often. Candidates register online, choose a level, test date and test centre, upload a passport-style photo and pay the fee through their account on the official HSK website.
Marking and results
Each original-HSK level reports a raw score (HSK 1–2 are marked out of 200, HSK 3–6 out of 300, split across listening, reading and writing), with a defined passing mark per level. Results are published online, and a printed certificate follows from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. Results are generally treated as valid for two years from the test date for admission and scholarship purposes — confirm this with the receiving institution, since some scholarship or visa rules set their own validity window.
Fees
For 2026, HSK fees vary by level and by country: inside China they are commonly in the ¥150–550 range, and outside China roughly USD 30–80 equivalent, depending on the level and test format chosen. Confirm the exact fee for your country and level on the official HSK website before registering.
How to apply
Create an account on the official HSK registration website.
Choose your HSK level, a test date and a test centre (or the internet-based option, where offered).
Upload a passport-style photo and pay the registration fee online.
Note the registration deadline for your chosen format — internet-based registration closes earlier than paper-based registration, and this gap is wider for the top levels (7–9).
Sit the test at your chosen centre, then check results online when they are published.
Preparation tips
Confirm whether your target institution or scholarship still expects the original six-level HSK or the revised nine-level version, since the two are not scored on the same scale.
Build vocabulary and character recognition first — every level is built on a fixed word list, and most marks come from understanding what you read and hear.
Practise full-length timed papers, since listening is not repeated and reading/writing both run under a strict clock.
For levels that include writing, practise summarising or composing in Chinese characters by hand, not just typing in pinyin.
FAQs
Is the HSK I should prepare for the six-level test or the nine-level test?
In 2026, most test centres still hold the original six-level HSK, while the nine-level "HSK 3.0" is being introduced through pilot sessions. Check which version your test centre and your target institution expect before you start preparing, since the two use different scoring scales.
Do I have to pass a lower HSK level before taking a higher one?
No. You can register directly for whichever level matches your current ability, with no requirement to clear a lower level first.
Is speaking tested in HSK?
In the original six-level HSK, speaking is a separate test, HSKK, offered at Primary, Intermediate and Advanced levels. In the revised nine-level standard, speaking is built into the main test from around Level 3 upward.
What is HSK used for?
Chinese universities and Chinese-taught degree programmes commonly ask for a stated HSK level as part of admission, and HSK is also used as evidence of Chinese proficiency for Chinese government scholarship schemes and for some work or study visa requirements.