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Chinese Language Test: HSK Levels and Dates
By Language Lab editorial team
The Chinese language test explained: HSK levels 1 to 9, question counts, timings, pass marks, remaining 2026 dates and the HSK 3.0 launch on 13 December 2026.
The main Chinese language test is the HSK, the Chinese Proficiency Test, an international standardised test of Chinese as a second language organised by CTI. Today it has levels 1 to 6, plus an advanced test for levels 7 to 9. Levels 1 and 2 test listening and reading and are passed with 120 out of 200. Levels 3 and 4 add writing and are passed with 180 out of 300. Scores are valid for two years. A change is coming: the organisers have announced that HSK 3.0, a new version built on a three-stage, nine-level framework, launches worldwide on 13 December 2026. The remaining 2026 test dates for levels 1 to 6 are 17 October, 7 November and 13 December.
What the HSK is
The organisers describe the HSK as assessing learners' ability to use Chinese as a second language in daily, academic and professional life, with a uniform grading and scoring system. Their site lists 1,522 test centres in 169 countries and about 800,000 test takers served a year. The test can be taken on paper, on a computer at a test centre, or in some cases on a computer at home.
Levels 1 to 6 at a glance
| Level | Who it is for | Sections | Questions | Whole exam | Full score | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginners with fundamental listening and reading skills | Listening, reading | 40 | About 40 minutes | 200 | 120 |
| 2 | Beginners at a slightly more advanced level | Listening, reading | 60 | About 55 minutes | 200 | 120 |
| 3 | Beginners with broader proficiency, including basic writing | Listening, reading, writing | 80 | About 90 minutes | 300 | 180 |
| 4 | Intermediate learners with a strong foundation | Listening, reading, writing | 100 | About 105 minutes | 300 | 180 |
| 5 | Intermediate learners and proficient users | Listening, reading, writing | 100 | About 125 minutes | 300 | Not stated on the level page |
| 6 | Intermediate learners and proficient users | Listening, reading, writing | 101 | About 140 minutes | 300 | Not stated on the level page |
Each exam time includes 5 minutes for filling in personal information. Score reports show a score for each section and a total. For levels 5 and 6 the official level pages give the full score of 300 but no passing mark, so check what score the institution you are applying to asks for.
Levels 7 to 9
HSK levels 7 to 9 are a single advanced test. The organisers say it is intended for people such as international students taking master's and doctoral degrees in China, students majoring in Chinese, and professionals working in Chinese. It has 98 questions across five sections, listening, reading, writing, translation and speaking, and takes about 210 minutes. Test takers are placed at level 7, 8 or 9, or below level 7, and each skill is reported on a scale from 0 to 100. It is currently available only as an internet-based test.
HSK 3.0: what is changing
On 8 September 2026 the organisers announced that HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on 13 December 2026. They describe it as a comprehensive upgrade of the test. According to the official description of the new HSK:
- The current six-level system is upgraded to a framework of three stages and nine levels, covering elementary, intermediate and advanced proficiency.
- It assesses five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and, at advanced levels, translation.
- Question types, the number of questions, test duration and listening speed have been adjusted.
- The new syllabus has five components: tasks, topics, vocabulary, grammar and Chinese characters.
- Registration for the 13 December 2026 test closes on 16 November for the paper-based test and on 3 December for the computer-based test, Beijing time.
If you are preparing now, find out from your test centre which version your sitting will use, and study from the official syllabus for that version. The organisers say further information will be released on the Chinese Test Service Website.
Remaining 2026 test dates
| Test | Date | Registration deadline | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK levels 1 to 6 | Saturday 17 October | Closed (20 September paper; 7 October computer) | 17 November paper; 2 November computer |
| HSK levels 1 to 6 | Saturday 7 November | 11 October paper (closed); 28 October computer | 7 December paper; 23 November computer |
| HSK levels 7 to 9 | Sunday 22 November | 8 November | 22 December |
| HSK levels 1 to 6 | Sunday 13 December | 16 November paper; 3 December computer | 15 January 2027 paper; 28 December computer |
In 2026 the HSK for levels 1 to 6 was scheduled on 11 dates through the year and the test for levels 7 to 9 on 2. Results for computer-based tests come out roughly two weeks after the test, and for paper tests about a month after.
What an HSK score is used for
- Study in China: the organisers say HSK scores have become a requirement for international students applying for admission, graduation and scholarships.
- Work: a high score can help demonstrate proficiency to employers and officials.
- Courses: enrolment, placement by level, course exemption and credits.
- Yourself: a measure of where you stand.
Because scores are valid for two years from the exam date, time your test to your application.
How to prepare
- Pick the level from the description of who it is for, not from how long you have studied.
- Train listening first at levels 1 and 2, where half the questions or more are listening.
- From level 3, practise writing characters, since writing becomes a scored section.
- Use the official mock tests and syllabus on the Chinese Test Service Website.
- Test yourself and space your reviews. A 2013 review of learning research rated practice testing and distributed practice as high utility.
The written HSK for levels 1 to 6 has no speaking section; speaking is tested separately in the HSK Speaking Test. Language Lab's Chinese course is built around voiced real-life scenarios with an AI tutor, which gives you spoken practice alongside your test preparation.
Frequently asked
What is the official Chinese language test?
The HSK, the Chinese Proficiency Test, an international standardised test of Chinese as a second language organised by CTI. It currently has levels 1 to 6 and an advanced test for levels 7 to 9.
What is the HSK pass mark?
Levels 1 and 2 are passed with 120 out of 200. Levels 3 and 4 are passed with 180 out of 300. The official pages for levels 5 and 6 give a full score of 300 and no passing mark.
When does HSK 3.0 start?
The organisers have announced that HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on 13 December 2026.
How many levels does the new HSK have?
Nine. The new HSK moves from the six-level system to a framework of three stages and nine levels, covering elementary, intermediate and advanced proficiency.
How long is an HSK score valid?
Two years, starting from the exam date.
How long does the HSK take?
From about 40 minutes at level 1 to about 140 minutes at level 6, including 5 minutes for personal information. The test for levels 7 to 9 takes about 210 minutes.
What HSK dates are left in 2026?
For levels 1 to 6: 17 October, 7 November and 13 December. For levels 7 to 9: 22 November.
Sources: Chinese Tests Service Website (CTI), HSK overview, HSK Level 1 to Level 6 and Levels 7-9 pages, Chinese Test Dates in 2026 (published 24 December 2025) and the notice HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026 (published 8 September 2026); Dunlosky et al., Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2013. Checked on 13 October 2026. Photo: Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing, xiquinhosilva / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
