Understanding the New HSK 3.0
Your complete guide to the 2021 Chinese Proficiency Test standards. Here you'll find everything you need to know about all 9 levels, what's required at each stage, and how to prepare effectively.
ChineseFor.Us New HSK 3.0 Compliant Lessons Now Released!
Start Learning
What Is HSK?
HSK stands for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试), which means Chinese Proficiency Test. It's the international standardized test designed for non-native Chinese speakers to measure their ability to use Chinese in daily life, academic settings, and professional environments. It's widely used for university enrollment and employment purposes in China.
By , over 5.6 million HSK tests have been taken worldwide, according to Ma Jianfei (马箭飞), Head of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation at China's Ministry of Education.
HSK Version History
HSK 1.0
Before 2010
HSK 2.0
2010 - 2021
HSK 3.0
2021 onwards
The new HSK 3.0 standards took effect on and will likely remain the standard for at least another 10 years.
HSK 3.0 Levels and Dimensions
The new HSK has 9 levels organized into 3 stages: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. The requirements are measured across 3 dimensions.
The 9 Levels
| Stage | Levels |
|---|---|
| Elementary | Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 |
| Intermediate | Level 4, Level 5, Level 6 |
| Advanced | Level 7, Level 8, Level 9 |
3 Dimensions of Requirements
-
Verbal Communicative Abilities
Your ability to communicate in Chinese across different topics and situations using 5 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Translating (Level 4+ only)
-
Topics and Tasks
Common subjects you can discuss and real-world tasks you can accomplish using Chinese
-
Quantitative Criteria
The specific numbers: Pinyin syllables, Chinese characters, vocabulary words, and grammar patterns required
Quantitative Criteria
Here's exactly what you'll need to learn at each level - the syllables, characters, vocabulary, and grammar patterns. The new HSK 3.0 requires significantly more than the old HSK 2.0.
HSK 3.0 Requirements
Level 1
- Syllables
- 269
- Characters
- 300
- Vocabulary
- 500
- Grammar
- 48
Level 2
- Syllables
- +199 / 468
- Characters
- +300 / 600
- Vocabulary
- +772 / 1,272
- Grammar
- +81 / 129
Level 3
- Syllables
- +140 / 608
- Characters
- +300 / 900
- Vocabulary
- +973 / 2,245
- Grammar
- +81 / 210
Level 4
- Syllables
- +116 / 724
- Characters
- +300 / 1,200
- Vocabulary
- +1,000 / 3,245
- Grammar
- +76 / 286
Level 5
- Syllables
- +98 / 822
- Characters
- +300 / 1,500
- Vocabulary
- +1,071 / 4,316
- Grammar
- +71 / 357
Level 6
- Syllables
- +86 / 908
- Characters
- +300 / 1,800
- Vocabulary
- +1,140 / 5,456
- Grammar
- +67 / 424
Level 7-9
- Syllables
- +202 / 1,110
- Characters
- +1,200 / 3,000
- Vocabulary
- +5,636 / 11,092
- Grammar
- +148 / 572
Key Insight: The new HSK 3.0 requires significantly more vocabulary than the previous version. For example, the new Level 1 requires 500 words compared to just 150 words in the old HSK 2.0.
Previous HSK 2.0 (For Comparison)
Level 1
- Vocabulary
- 150
- Grammar
- 27
Level 2
- Vocabulary
- +150 / 300
- Grammar
- +13 / 40
Level 3
- Vocabulary
- +300 / 600
- Grammar
- +11 / 51
Level 4
- Vocabulary
- +600 / 1,200
- Grammar
- —
Level 5
- Vocabulary
- +1,300 / 2,500
- Grammar
- —
Level 6
- Vocabulary
- +2,500 / 5,000
- Grammar
- —
Topics and Tasks by Level
At each level, you'll be able to discuss specific topics and accomplish real-world tasks in Chinese. This shows exactly what you'll be able to do with your Chinese skills.
Topics You Can Discuss
- Personal information
- Daily routine
- Food and drinks
- Transportation
- Hobbies
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Do basic greetings for different social occasions
- Recognize and ask about simple information on signs in public places
Topics You Can Discuss
- Basic social activities
- Family life
- Study schedule
- Shopping and dining
- Personal feelings
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Order food in Chinese restaurants and share food preferences
- Read and fill out personal application forms
Topics You Can Discuss
- Travel experience
- Courses and curriculum
- Recreational activities
- Holiday customs
- Education and career
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Share plans and talk about Chinese holiday customs (like Spring Festival)
- Send formal oral and written invitations
- Respond to others' invitations appropriately
Topics You Can Discuss
- Community life
- Campus life
- Health status
- Office routine
- Plants and animals
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Discuss health conditions when visiting a doctor
- Write short part-time job ads and answer questions about them
Topics You Can Discuss
- Interpersonal relationships
- Lifestyles
- Learning methods
- Nature and environment
- Social phenomena
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Share opinions about common social news and phenomena
- Write and reply to mail
- Introduce learning methods and make suggestions
Topics You Can Discuss
- Social interactions
- Business affairs
- Contradictions and conflicts
- Social news
- Cross-cultural communication
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Discuss differences between China and other countries in history, culture, etc.
- Read and understand social news
- Make informed comments on news topics
Topics You Can Discuss
- Social etiquettes
- Science and technology
- Literature and art
- Sports
- Psychology and emotions
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Communicate with participants in formal meetings
- Read professional course materials and complete assignments
Topics You Can Discuss
- Language and literature
- Political economy
- Legal affairs
- Philosophy
- History
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Conduct in-depth discussions on philosophy, religion, current affairs
- Express opinions and appeal reasons in disputes
Topics You Can Discuss
- Academic research
- Policies and regulations
- Commercial trade
- International affairs
Tasks You Can Accomplish
- Participate in formal business negotiations
- Read policies, regulations, and research reports
- Make full and appropriate comments on formal documents
Practice Tasks: If you're familiar with our ChineseFor.Us courses, you'll notice we include "Practice Tasks" for each lesson where you practice using Chinese in real situations - just like what HSK tests! It puts our language skills into practical use and tests how adequate our language is in different social occasions.
Verbal Communicative Abilities
These are the language skills you'll develop to communicate effectively in Chinese. They cover three types of communication:
- Interpersonal Communication - Two-way exchanges like conversations and instant messaging
- Presentational Communication - One-way delivery like writing articles or giving speeches
- Interpretive Communication - Understanding information you hear or read
Listening Skills
Level 1
- Materials
- Simple sentences, short dialogues
- Pronunciation
- Standard, clear, slow
- Length
- <80 chars
- Speed
- >100 chars/min
- Ability
- Comprehend basic info with pictures and physical items
Level 2
- Materials
- Simple sentences, basic complex sentences, short dialogues
- Pronunciation
- Standard, clear, relatively slow
- Length
- <150 chars
- Speed
- >140 chars/min
- Ability
- Comprehend basic info with body language and expressions
Level 3
- Materials
- Long simple sentences, complex sentences, general dialogues
- Pronunciation
- Near-standard, clear, close to normal
- Length
- <300 chars
- Speed
- >180 chars/min
- Ability
- Get key info with varying pronunciation and speed
Level 4
- Materials
- Informal conversations and speeches
- Pronunciation
- Natural with subtle accents, normal speed
- Length
- <400 chars
- Speed
- 180-200 chars/min
- Ability
- Understand hints and cultural factors
Level 5
- Materials
- Informal and relatively formal conversations
- Pronunciation
- Natural with subtle accents, normal speed
- Length
- <500 chars
- Speed
- 200-220 chars/min
- Ability
- Get key info and details even with background noise
Level 6
- Materials
- Formal conversations, materials with accents
- Pronunciation
- Natural, normal to slightly faster
- Length
- <600 chars
- Speed
- 220-240 chars/min
- Ability
- Understand true intent even with mistakes or corrections
Level 7
- Materials
- General lectures, social news
- Pronunciation
- Normal to fast speed
- Length
- ~800 chars
- Speed
- —
- Ability
- Grasp main facts, opinions, and logical structures
Level 8
- Materials
- Professional lectures, feature news
- Pronunciation
- Normal to fast speed
- Length
- ~800 chars
- Speed
- —
- Ability
- Summarize main points and grasp details
Level 9
- Materials
- All sorts of materials
- Pronunciation
- Normal to fast speed
- Length
- ~800 chars
- Speed
- —
- Ability
- Analyze and infer required information accurately
Speaking Skills
Level 1
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation of Level 1 syllables
- Ability
- Use basic words, phrases, and simple sentences; conduct simple Q&A
Level 2
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation of Level 2 syllables
- Ability
- Use simple sentences; conduct short Q&A and social conversations; make short presentations
Level 3
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation of Level 3 syllables
- Ability
- Use some complicated sentence patterns; conduct common communication or discussions
Level 4
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation, relatively natural intonation
- Ability
- Express in paragraphs; describe events and complex scenarios; briefly state opinions
Level 5
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation, relatively natural intonation
- Ability
- Use complex sentences; describe events with detail; fully express personal opinions and feelings
Level 6
- Pronunciation
- Correct pronunciation, relatively natural intonation
- Ability
- Use extensive vocabulary with strong logic; conduct fluent discussions and simple consultations
Level 7
- Pronunciation
- Accurate pronunciation, natural intonation
- Ability
- Possess preliminary discourse skills; conduct discussions or debates; use rhetoric effectively
Level 8
- Pronunciation
- Accurate pronunciation, natural intonation
- Ability
- Make presentations and impromptu speeches; demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills
Level 9
- Pronunciation
- Accurate pronunciation, natural intonation
- Ability
- Master discourse expression with substantial content and rigorous logic; strong cross-cultural skills
Reading Skills
Level 1
- Materials
- Signs, short notes, tables, maps
- Length
- <100 chars
- Speed
- >80 chars/min
- Techniques
- Read with pictures, Pinyin
- Ability
- Get basic information
Level 2
- Materials
- Introductions, expository materials, notifications
- Length
- <200 chars
- Speed
- >100 chars/min
- Techniques
- Use student dictionaries
- Ability
- Get specific target information
Level 3
- Materials
- Basic complex sentences, expository materials
- Length
- <300 chars
- Speed
- >120 chars/min
- Techniques
- Skimming and skipping skills
- Ability
- Understand main idea and details
Level 4
- Materials
- Common complex sentences, simple persuasive materials
- Length
- <500 chars
- Speed
- >140 chars/min
- Techniques
- Fast reading, guessing and association
- Ability
- Grasp key info; make appropriate inferences
Level 5
- Materials
- Complicated complex sentences, persuasive materials
- Length
- <700 chars
- Speed
- >160 chars/min
- Techniques
- Better fast reading and scanning
- Ability
- Summarize central meaning; make logical inferences
Level 6
- Materials
- Expository, narrative, persuasive, descriptive
- Length
- <900 chars
- Speed
- >180 chars/min
- Techniques
- Strong scanning; guess meaning from context
- Ability
- Clarify structures; infer hidden information
Level 7
- Materials
- All material types
- Length
- —
- Speed
- >200 chars/min
- Techniques
- Master variety of skills; retrieve info independently
- Ability
- Understand native reasoning and expression habits
Level 8
- Materials
- All material types
- Length
- —
- Speed
- >220 chars/min
- Techniques
- Proficiency in various skills
- Ability
- Find language problems and logical defects
Level 9
- Materials
- All material types
- Length
- —
- Speed
- >240 chars/min
- Techniques
- Comprehensive use of all skills
- Ability
- Deep understanding of social cultural connotation
Writing Skills
Character Writing Requirements
Level 1
- Handwrite
- 100 characters
- Speed
- >10 chars/min
- Requirements
- Chinese strokes, stroke order, basic punctuation
Level 2
- Handwrite
- 200 characters
- Speed
- >15 chars/min
- Requirements
- Chinese strokes, stroke order, common punctuation
Level 3
- Handwrite
- 300 characters
- Speed
- >20 chars/min
- Requirements
- Chinese strokes, stroke order, punctuation
Level 4
- Handwrite
- 500 characters
- Speed
- —
- Requirements
- Understand character construction rules
Level 5
- Handwrite
- 700 characters
- Speed
- —
- Requirements
- Analyze construction of commonly-used characters
Level 6
- Handwrite
- 900 characters
- Speed
- —
- Requirements
- Analyze the construction of Chinese characters
Level 7-9
- Handwrite
- 500 characters
- Speed
- —
- Requirements
- —
Article Writing Requirements
Level 1
- Requirements
- Simple phrases, short sentences
- Types
- Personal forms, notes
- Length
- —
Level 2
- Requirements
- Short sentences
- Types
- Simple writings about personal life, daily routine
- Length
- >100 chars
Level 3
- Requirements
- Coherent sentences, clear expressions
- Types
- Mail, public notices, short narration
- Length
- >200 chars
Level 4
- Requirements
- Sentence groups with simple structures
- Types
- Simple narrative, expository, practical writing
- Length
- >300 chars
Level 5
- Requirements
- Sentence groups with complicated structures
- Types
- General narrative, expository, descriptive, simple argumentative
- Length
- >450 chars
Level 6
- Requirements
- Long sentences with complicated structures
- Types
- Common narrative, expository, descriptive, argumentative; figures of speech
- Length
- >600 chars
Level 7
- Requirements
- Clear point of view, structure, format, strong logic
- Types
- Long narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, professional papers
- Length
- —
Level 8
- Requirements
- Clear point of view, structure, format, strong logic
- Types
- All types plus Chinese idioms and idiomatic expressions
- Length
- —
Level 9
- Requirements
- Complex patterns, coherent discourse, proper expression
- Types
- Various types, academic dissertation, artistic literature
- Length
- —
Translating and Interpreting Skills
Note: Translation and interpretation skills are only required from Level 4 onwards.
Level 1-3
- Written
- Not required
- Oral
- Not required
Level 4
- Written
- Simple narrative text, simple expository text
- Oral
- Informal accompanying interpretation
Level 5
- Written
- Common narrative, expository, simple argumentative
- Oral
- Simple informal consecutive interpretation
Level 6
- Written
- Common narrative, expository, argumentative
- Oral
- All types of informal interpretation
Level 7
- Written
- Longer narrative, expository, argumentative
- Oral
- Formal accompanying and consecutive interpretation
Level 8
- Written
- Lengthy narrative, expository, argumentative
- Oral
- Formal industry-related and political consecutive interpretation
Level 9
- Written
- Texts of various writing styles
- Oral
- Formal industry-related and political simultaneous interpretation
How to Prepare for the New HSK
The Good News
While testing standards evolve, the actual language knowledge stays the same. Chinese itself hasn't changed, and your path to progress remains consistent. What defines a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner hasn't fundamentally shifted.
Focus on Building Your Foundation
Continue learning systematically. The core skills you develop will serve you regardless of which version of the test you eventually take.
Review Before Testing
When you're ready to take the test, download the vocabulary and grammar lists for your level. This helps you target any gaps in your knowledge.
Learn Beyond HSK: HSK is just one standard, but life is limitless! If you work in medicine, you might want medical terms early on. If you're into computers, tech vocabulary will interest you. People always want to learn words for topics they care about. Even in the actual HSK test, you'll occasionally encounter words outside the official lists.
The bottom line: Learn intensively and broadly!
ChineseFor.Us Course Updates
We're updating our structured courses to align with the new HSK 3.0 standards. Here's how the changes will work:
Current Structure
- Day-1 Beginner Course
- Level 1 Course
- Level 2 Course
- Level 3 Course
New Structure
- Day-1 Beginner No Change
- Level 1 Part 1 Was: Level 1
- Level 1 Part 2 + supplements Was: Level 2
- Level 2 Part 1 Was: Level 3
- Level 2 Part 2 New
What This Means for You
- Level 1 Part 1 + Level 1 Part 2 = Covers well over new HSK Level 1
- Level 2 Part 1 + Level 2 Part 2 = Covers well over new HSK Level 2
Note: If you've finished your current level, feel free to start the next one right away instead of waiting for supplement lessons. The supplements are designed to fully cover HSK 3.0 test requirements, but the new test format hasn't been released yet. The extra lessons follow a different format than the main courses.
Download Resources
Subscriber Resources
Get access to all HSK vocabulary, grammar, character, and syllable lists with your ChineseFor.Us subscription.
Unlock Resources严禁转载 违者必究 Copyright © ChineseFor.Us, LLC. All rights reserved.
how many characters and vocabulary would i have learned total upon completing all the courses. please give me a number, thanks
Thank you for your interest. Every course is different but all the information can be found on each individual course page.
I am very happy to be a subscriber here! I love what you do and I am sure it will help me learning this language
Thank you so much Aniela! We are so glad to know that you have confidence in our teaching! Wish you the best of luck with your Chinese studies! 加油！Jiāyóu!
Hey I have future plans to study in China where would you advice I start from?
Great information, I am very happy to have come across your site
Auspicious information ma’am, and I am delighted to receive this important information.谢谢