What is HSK? A complete guide for learners in Vietnam

What is the HSK and who takes it?

The HSK tests how well non-native speakers use Mandarin Chinese in simplified characters. Official information on levels, test format and results is published on chinesetest.cn.

Learners take it to apply to universities, support scholarship applications, find work with Chinese companies, or simply to measure progress. Each level has a defined vocabulary size, which makes the HSK a practical study path.

If you plan to study or work in Taiwan, the usual test is TOCFL, written in traditional characters. See what is TOCFL to compare.

The six HSK levels (HSK 2.0, current format)

HSK 1–2 have listening and reading and are scored out of 200. From HSK 3 there is also a writing section and the total is out of 300. Each section is worth up to 100 points.

Here is a summary based on the official syllabus (items, time, pass mark / maximum, vocabulary):

• HSK 1: 40 items (20 listening, 20 reading), about 40 minutes, pass 120/200, 150 words.
• HSK 2: 60 items (35 listening, 25 reading), about 55 minutes, pass 120/200, 300 words.
• HSK 3: 80 items (40 listening, 30 reading, 10 writing), about 90 minutes, pass 180/300, 600 words.
• HSK 4: 100 items (45 listening, 40 reading, 15 writing), about 105 minutes, pass 180/300, 1,200 words.
• HSK 5: 100 items (45 listening, 45 reading, 10 writing), about 125 minutes, pass 180/300, 2,500 words.
• HSK 6: 101 items (50 listening, 50 reading, 1 writing), about 140 minutes, pass 180/300, 5,000 words.

HSK 7–9: the advanced exam

HSK 7–9 is a single internet-based exam with 98 items: 40 listening, 47 reading, 2 writing, 4 translation and 5 speaking, lasting about 210 minutes.

Each skill is scored from 0 to 100, and the result is reported as below level 7, level 7, level 8 or level 9. It is aimed at learners beyond HSK 6, such as postgraduate students of Chinese or translators.

HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0: the change on 13 December 2026

According to secondary sources (CTI's own notice could not be read directly), HSK 1–6 switch to the new HSK 3.0 format worldwide on 13 December 2026, and HSK 2.0 will not run in parallel after that date.

The main differences: more vocabulary per level (about 2,000 words for the new HSK 4 and about 5,400 for the new HSK 6), new item counts and task types, and a separate speaking test for the new HSK 3–6. Pass marks for HSK 3.0 levels 1–6 and the fees in Vietnam have not been announced yet.

Level-by-level details are in HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0. If you are about to register, check the HSK test dates 2026 to see whether you can still take HSK 2.0.

Paper test or computer test (网考 wǎngkǎo / iBT)?

The HSK is offered on paper and on computer (网考 wǎngkǎo, the internet-based test or iBT). Each centre runs one or both: for example HANU runs the computer test, HNUE the paper test, and Đông Á University and Thành Đông University run both.

Registration deadlines differ: CTI closes registration about 27 days before a paper test and about 10 days before an iBT. Some dates in the year are computer-only.

Choose based on the nearest centre, the deadline you can still meet, and how comfortable you are on screen. If you take the iBT, practise full tests on a computer first. Centres are listed on HSK test centres in Vietnam.

Scores, passing and validity

The HSK is passed on the total score only; there is no minimum per section. At HSK 4, for example, 180/300 is a pass even if your listening is weaker than your reading.

Listening is played twice at HSK 1–3 and once at HSK 4–6. HSK 1–2 papers print pinyin on every item, such as 你好 nǐ hǎo (hello); from HSK 3 the paper uses characters only.

The HSKK certificate is valid for 2 years. For the HSK certificate, how long it is accepted depends on the current rules and on the institution receiving it, so check chinesetest.cn and ask the university or employer directly.

HSKK: taken with HSK 3–6 in Vietnam

HSKK is the speaking test, with three levels: 初级 (elementary), 中级 (intermediate) and 高级 (advanced). In Vietnam, HSK 3–6 are taken together with HSKK: HSK 3 with elementary, HSK 4 with intermediate, HSK 5 and HSK 6 with advanced.

HSKK is scored out of 100 with a pass mark of 60. Including preparation time it lasts 20 minutes (elementary), 23 minutes (intermediate) and 25 minutes (advanced). The advanced test opens with 听后复述 tīng hòu fùshù, listening and retelling.

Read more on what is HSKK and try speaking tasks in practice.

Which level for study, scholarships or work?

There is no single level that fits every case. Each university, scholarship programme and employer sets its own requirement, and requirements may change with HSK 3.0, so read the admission notice or job advert before choosing a level.

Vocabulary size is a useful guide: HSK 3 (600 words) covers familiar everyday topics, HSK 4 (1,200 words) lets you read longer passages, and HSK 5–6 (2,500–5,000 words) expect you to read articles, follow long talks and write paragraphs.

If you are unsure of your current level, take the free placement test to set a realistic target.

How to prepare for the HSK

Fix your target level and test date first, then spread the vocabulary over the weeks you have left. Learn words level by level in the vocabulary lists and look them up in the dictionary, which also shows Sino-Vietnamese readings: 学习 xuéxí (to study).

Once the words are in place, drill each task type in practice, then sit full timed mock tests such as the HSK 4 mock test or the free HSK 4 mock test.

• Do several complete mock tests before the real exam to get used to the pace.
• Note the task types you miss most and practise them separately.
• For HSK 3–6, prepare for HSKK as well, since you will sit both.

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