HSK 2025 guide: become an expert on this Chinese language assessment test

You're learning Chinese, and are looking for an official test to assess your skills? So you should be interested in HSK, the international reference for assess your Chinese language level.

In this article, you'll find out everything you need to know about the HSK, its different levels, the number of words to remember, and how to take the exam. We will also share some tips to help you succeed, and we will present the method. Hanzimap, an innovative solution to enrich your Mandarin vocabulary and prepare you for HSK.

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What is HSK?

What does “HSK” mean?

To understand what HSK is, you have to look at the meaning of this acronym, which is the abbreviation for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (IN Simplified Chinese), which literally translates to”Chinese Proficiency Test”. Developed in 1984 at the University of Languages and Cultures in Beijing, it was formalized in 1992 by the Chinese Ministry of Education and has since been the international reference for assessing the Chinese language skills of non-native speakers.

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What is the difference between HSK and HSKK?

In fact, there are two official tests that assess your proficiency in Chinese: the HSK And the HSKK. These exams differ in terms of what is evaluated:

• The HSK Assess your reading, writing, and listening skills. At the moment divided into 6 levels, there should soon be 3 more.
• The HSKK only assesses your speaking ability. The HSKK is divided into 3 categories (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

The HSKK was developed because the HSK does not assess your ability to express yourself in Chinese. Taking this test as a supplement is therefore interesting if you need to certify your speaking skills.

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What benefits will you get by passing the HSK?

Considered to be theTOEFL equivalent for Chinese, passing the HSK can offer you numerous advantages:

• International recognition, this test being recognized internationally, like the TOEFL (hence its nickname!).
• Academic opportunities, many Chinese universities require a minimum level of foreign students who want to enroll.
• Possibility of obtaining scholarships to reduce your tuition fees.
• Increased professional opportunities, especially if you want to move abroad. But even without wanting to work in China, the HSK is a precious sesame, since it officially certifies your level in Mandarin and is a guarantee of confidence in the eyes of recruiters.
• Extra motivation in your learning. You may not realize it, but just by registering for the HSK exam, you trigger what is called the Washback Effect. The simple fact of consciously preparing for this test positively influences your working methods, allowing you to learn Chinese faster and more effectively. A recent study has also confirmed the influence that the passage of HSK could have on your learning of Chinese.

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Become an expert on HSK levels

Since the first versions of the HSK introduced in the years 1980-90s, this exam has changed a lot! Today, we are at HSK 2.0 which provides 6 different levels. A reform that came into force on 1 July 2021 even provides for the establishment of HSK 3.0 and 3 additional grades, which learners should soon be able to pass.

But what do these 6 (and soon 9) levels consist of? And how do you make sure you choose the one that best fits your skills?

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What are the items assessed in each HSK level?

The HSK assesses several elements:

• Your oral comprehension.
• Your written comprehension and your ability to read.
• Your written expression, including your ability to write short sentences and texts.

Of course, to prove your mastery of these various elements, you will also be asked to master a certain vocabulary, in accordance with the level you are looking to validate.

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What are the HSK levels?

Comparison of HSK 1 to 6

Levels 1 to 6 are currently in effect. The higher the degree, the more demanding the prerequisites for obtaining it.

Exams 1 and 2 are scored out of 200, and you will need to get a minimum of 120 points to pass them. For levels 3 to 6, they are rated out of 300, and the minimum score to be obtained to pass them is 180.

Each level includes reading comprehension questions (read: yuèdú) and oral comprehension questions (: tīnglì). Starting with HSK 3, you will also have to answer written expression questions (: shūxiě).

This comparison table will help you to see more clearly the different expectations:

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Are you hesitating between two levels? So choose the lower grade one. Indeed, if you do not obtain the minimum required for validation, you will not obtain the tested level, but you will not validate the previous one either, which you could certainly have obtained by registering at the appropriate level.

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What does HSK 3.0 include?

On July 1, 2021, a reform profoundly changed the structure of the HSK. In particular, this version 3.0 includes 3 additional levels, which are aimed at the most advanced students in their Chinese practice. But it also increases the thresholds required to obtain the previous levels. The goal? Ensure that the HSK better reflects the real level of learners.

This short comparison will help you better understand the differences in requirements between HSK 2.0 (the version still in force) and HSK 3.0 (the version planned by the 2021 reform):

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But in fact, this reform garnered a lot of attention on specialized forums, but very little in printing shops. Indeed, more than 4 years after its promulgation, very few textbooks to prepare these revised levels are available, and It is only necessary to take the HSK 7 to 9 exams in very few countries (China, South Korea, Thailand, Thailand, Malaysia, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa). For the moment, if you take your HSK in any other country, it will therefore still be the old version of the exam that will apply.

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What are the procedures for taking the HSK exam?

How does the HSK exam look like?

The HSK exam consists of 2 to 3 distinct parts:

• Oral comprehension
• Written comprehension
• Written expression (from level 3)

Each of these parts is scored out of 100 points. To validate your level, you will need to get at least 60% correct answers in total.

The test itself will last between 40 minutes (for level 1) and 2 hours 20 minutes (for level 6).

In addition, there are two versions:

• A paper version, where a booklet and an answer sheet to be completed by hand will be distributed to you.
• A computer version equipped with a Pinyin keyboard.

The proposed versions depend on the evaluation locations.

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Where can I take the HSK?

Where to take the HSK?

The website chinesetest.cn lists the dates and locations of upcoming HSK exams worldwide. Please note that you can only take this exam at an officially approved test center, which is usually located in Confucius Institutes (often affiliated with universities) or in a few other authorized centers.

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Is it possible to take the HSK online?

If it was possible to take the HSK online at home following COVID, this possibility no longer seems to be offered.

Some centers such as the Confucius Institute in Montpellier still allowed you to take this test remotely in 2024, but no dedicated session is currently scheduled for 2025. However, do not hesitate to go directly to the sites of the various approved establishments to check if new remote sessions are not offered.

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What is the price of the HSK exam?

The price of the HSK varies according to the level and the exam center. Expect on average:

• About $25 for HSK 1
• About $35 for the HSK 2
• About $45 for the HSK 3
• About $55 for the HSK 4
• About $65 for the HSK 5
• About $75 for the HSK 6

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How do I register for HSK?

In most cases, you can register for an HSK exam session via the official site chinesetest.cn. You will then have to create your account, choose your center, and select the date and the desired level. It is also on this site that you can find the majority of the sessions that take place near you.

Some establishments may also offer you more “classic” registration methods. You can then complete a paper file before returning it.

Important point: you will need to register at least 10 days before the exam you are aiming for. So remember to plan large amounts if you need an HSK certificate before a specific date!

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How do you prepare yourself to pass the HSK?

The key to succeeding in the HSK is to prepare yourself regularly. Plan on average 2 to 4 hours of revision per week, or even a little more if you have the opportunity. Quick tip: block out apprenticeship slots in your schedule to make sure you can study.

But the most important thing is not to review for a long time: it's to review effectively. You will have to remember hundreds, sometimes even thousands of Chinese words and characters. At some point, you may end up reaching saturation if you just try to remember them by heart. We are well aware of this, and That's exactly why we developed Hanzimap, a solution designed to help you memorize characters and their pronunciation using pinyin.

The principle is simple: you visualize the assembly of characters in a grid, and remember the signatures of the words formed to remember their pronunciation and their writing. Let's take an example:

Another interesting possibility: thanks to our quizzes, you can regularly test your knowledge. A very good option to assess yourself and build your confidence before passing the HSK!

Do you want to put all the chances on your side to pass your HSK exam? So try Hanzimap, which provides learning grids and quizzes dedicated to the different levels of HSK!

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HSK: frequently asked questions

What HSK level should I choose to start with?

If you're just starting to learn Chinese, opt for HSK 1, which will motivate you to learn 150 words and basic grammatical structures. And to put all the chances on your side, practice with Hanzimap, which will allow you to access our learning grid dedicated to HSK 1, but also to a preparation quiz and an interactive dictionary.

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What score do you need to obtain to validate the HSK 1?

The HSK 1 is scored out of 200 points (100 points for the written part, 100 points for the oral part). To validate the HSK 1, you will need to obtain at least 120/200 (knowing that no minimum per section is required).

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What HSK level is required to study in China?

In the majority of cases, to be able to integrate a course in Chinese, you will have to at least prove an HSK 4. To apply for a master's degree or to apply for certain scholarships, you may even be asked for an HSK 5.

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