HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0: what changes and what to do before the switch

What is HSK 3.0 and when does it start?

HSK 3.0 is based on the GF0025-2021 national standard (国际中文教育中文水平等级标准) issued in 2021. The new exam syllabus (考试大纲) was published by 中外语言交流合作中心 in November 2025 and took effect in July 2026.

Two trial sessions were held on 31 January and 20 September 2026. The worldwide switch is 13 December 2026; after that date HSK 2.0 is no longer run alongside it. These dates come from secondary sources (universities, Confucius Institutes, Vietnamese press) because CTI's own notice could not be read, so check chinesetest.cn.

From 6 levels to 9, in 3 bands

HSK 2.0 has 6 levels. HSK 3.0 has 9, grouped into three bands: elementary (1–3), intermediate (4–6) and advanced (7–9). Levels 1–6 are still separate exams, while levels 7–9 share one exam.

The HSK 7–9 exam (official information on chinesetest.cn) is internet-based only, with 98 items: 40 listening, 47 reading, 2 writing, 4 translation and 5 speaking, in about 210 minutes. Each skill is scored 0–100 and the result is reported as below level 7, level 7, level 8 or level 9.

Words per level: two different numbers

This is where many articles go wrong. Two different word lists are both called HSK 3.0, and their numbers differ a lot:

• The exam syllabus (考试大纲), which HSK 3.0 exams are written against: about 300 / 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 3,600 / 5,400 cumulative words for levels 1–6 and about 11,000 for levels 7–9 (exact figures quoted by the Sheffield Confucius Institute: 300 / 496 / 988 / 1,978 / 3,557 / 5,334 / 10,896).
• The GF0025-2021 standard, new words per level: 500 / 772 / 973 / 1,000 / 1,071 / 1,140 for levels 1–6 and 5,636 for levels 7–9, 11,092 in total.
• HSK 2.0 for comparison: 150 / 300 / 600 / 1,200 / 2,500 / 5,000 cumulative words for levels 1–6.

HSK 3.0 levels 1–6 format (not yet official)

The HSK 3.0 level 1–6 formats in the table below come from secondary sources based on CTI's September 2026 sample papers and may still change. Pass marks for HSK 3.0 levels 1–6 have not been published, which is why Hanzi Pass marks its HSK 3.0 tests as beta.

The main changes according to these sources: fewer items (HSK 4, for example, has about 70 instead of 100), HSK 2 gains a writing section, and HSK 3–6 add a separate, compulsory speaking test (about 15–23 minutes).

For HSK 4 specifically: 判断对错 (true/false) and 排列顺序 (sentence ordering) are dropped, a cloze task is added, and writing becomes picture sentences plus an essay of 80+ characters. Compared with the current HSK 4 format, that is a big change.

If you test before 13 December 2026

You take HSK 2.0: study the HSK 2.0 vocabulary and practise the current format. The last regular HSK 2.0 date is 7 November 2026; 22 November 2026 is computer-only, and some Vietnamese centres have their own dates (HANU 14 November, Thai Nguyen University Testing Centre 21 November).

CTI registration closes about 27 days before a paper test and about 10 days before an iBT, and centres often close earlier when full. For the November dates, the computer test usually stays open longest. See HSK test dates 2026 and HSK test centres in Vietnam, then confirm with your centre.

If you test from 13 December 2026

You take HSK 3.0. Study the new exam-syllabus list (not the GF0025-2021 figures) and start speaking practice early, because HSK 3–6 now include a compulsory speaking test.

HSK 3.0 fees in Vietnam and pass marks have not been announced; check with your centre and chinesetest.cn once they are. Meanwhile, the core skills carry over: lower-level vocabulary, single-play listening, fast reading and writing characters.

Should you take HSK 2.0 now?

Taking HSK 2.0 makes sense if you are already close to the level (for example, your mock-test scores are around the pass mark) and you can still register for one of the last dates. You then sit a format you know well, with fewer words than the same level under HSK 3.0.

If you are still far from your target, rushing into HSK 2.0 may not pay off: switch to HSK 3.0 preparation and choose a suitable date. If you need the certificate for an application (scholarship, job), ask the organisation which certificates it accepts and for how long.

Not sure where you stand? Take the placement test or a timed HSK 4 mock test.

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