HSK Exam Format and Passing Score: Sections, Timing and Scoring for HSK 1-6

The HSK exam format for Levels 1 to 6 is simple to describe. HSK 1 and HSK 2 test listening and reading and are scored out of 200, with 120 needed to pass. HSK 3 to HSK 6 add a writing section and are scored out of 300, with 180 as the HSK passing score for Levels 3 and 4 and the usual benchmark for Levels 5 and 6. Tests run from about 40 minutes at HSK 1 to about 140 minutes at HSK 6.

This guide covers the HSK test structure level by level, how the HSK is scored, what the score report shows and how long it is valid, what changes with HSK 3.0, and how to practice under real exam conditions. The figures below come from the official level pages on chinesetest.cn as of October 2026. Formats, dates and fees can change, and some details depend on your test center, so always check the official site before you register.

HSK Exam Format at a Glance (HSK 1 to HSK 6)

The table shows the current six-level papers, often called HSK 2.0, which are still the regular exam in 2026. Times are approximate and include about 5 minutes for filling in your personal information.

Level	Sections	Questions	Test length	Total score	Passing score
HSK 1	Listening 20, Reading 20	40	about 40 min	200	120
HSK 2	Listening 35, Reading 25	60	about 55 min	200	120
HSK 3	Listening 40, Reading 30, Writing 10	80	about 90 min	300	180
HSK 4	Listening 45, Reading 40, Writing 15	100	about 105 min	300	180
HSK 5	Listening 45, Reading 45, Writing 10	100	about 125 min	300	not stated (180 used as a benchmark)
HSK 6	Listening 50, Reading 50, Writing 1	101	about 140 min	300	not stated (180 used as a benchmark)

Each section is worth 100 points, which is why HSK 1 and 2 total 200 and HSK 3 to 6 total 300. Writing starts at HSK 3, and HSK 6 has a single 45-minute writing task.

Section timing for each level

Here is how the time is split on the current papers. Listening times are approximate because they depend on the recording.

Level	Listening	Answer transfer	Reading	Writing
HSK 1	about 15 min	3 min	17 min	none
HSK 2	about 25 min	3 min	22 min	none
HSK 3	about 35 min	5 min	30 min	15 min
HSK 4	about 30 min	5 min	40 min	25 min
HSK 5	about 30 min	5 min	45 min	40 min
HSK 6	about 35 min	5 min	50 min	45 min

The "answer transfer" time applies to the paper-based test, where you copy your listening answers onto the answer sheet after the recording ends. Official totals vary slightly between pages, so treat all times as close estimates.

What Each Section Tests

Listening (听力 tīnglì)

You hear short dialogues, statements or talks and answer questions about them. At HSK 1 and 2 you match recordings to pictures or judge whether a statement is true. From HSK 3 up you choose the right answer from several options. At the lower levels each recording is played twice. At the higher levels you usually hear it only once, which makes listening speed a real skill.

Reading (阅读 yuèdú)

Early levels ask you to match sentences to pictures or pick the missing word. Middle levels add putting sentences in order and short passages with questions. At HSK 6 one part asks you to find the sentence that contains an error, which tests grammar more than vocabulary.

Writing (书写 shūxiě)

At HSK 3 you put words in the right order and fill in missing characters. At HSK 4 you build sentences from given words and write a sentence about a picture. HSK 5 adds a short essay of about 80 characters from a word list or a picture. At HSK 6 you read a story of about 1,000 characters for ten minutes, then rewrite it from memory as a summary of about 400 characters.

On the internet-based test you type your answers with a pinyin keyboard. On the paper-based test you write by hand, so handwriting practice matters more.

How Is the HSK Scored?

Your score report shows one score per section, each out of 100, plus a total. The official pages set the pass mark on the total, not on each section. If you get 55 in listening and 70 in reading at HSK 2, your total is 125 and you pass.

Some practical points:

There is no penalty for wrong answers. Never leave a multiple-choice question blank.
Section scores are converted scores. The official pages report each section on a 100-point scale but do not publish the exact conversion from correct answers, so you cannot assume one question equals a fixed number of points.
Writing at higher levels is marked by examiners, so content, grammar and character accuracy all count.
HSK 5 and HSK 6 have no official pass mark on the current level pages. The certificate shows your scores, and schools or employers decide what is good enough. Many universities ask for a total of 180 or more at a given level, but some set their own minimum for each section, so read their requirements carefully.

The HSK Score Report and How Long It Is Valid

What the score report shows

The report lists your name, test level, test date, each section score and your total. For HSK 1 and 2 there are three scores (listening, reading, total). For HSK 3 to 6 there are four (listening, reading, writing, total).

When you get your results

As a rule, according to the official test service:

Internet-based test: online results are usually available about two weeks after the exam.
Paper-based test: online results are usually available about one month after the exam.
Printed score reports: outside mainland China, they are usually sent to your test center within one to two months of the test date.

You check your score on chinesetest.cn with your admission ticket number and name. Exact timing can vary by session.

How long the HSK is valid

The official level pages state that scores are valid for two years from the exam date. This mainly matters for university admission and scholarship applications in China. Some employers and schools accept older certificates, but you should not count on it. If your plans depend on the score, ask the institution which dates it accepts.

Paper vs Computer Test

Most test centers offer the HSK as a paper-based test, an internet-based test held at the center, or both. Some regions have also offered a home-based online version at certain times. The content and scoring are the same, but the experience is different:

Paper-based: handwritten answers, a separate answer sheet, extra minutes to transfer listening answers, results in about a month.
Internet-based: answers on screen, typed characters in the writing section, no separate answer transfer, results in about two weeks.

If your handwriting is slow or you often forget how to write characters, the internet-based test is usually easier. If you type pinyin but cannot pick the right character from the list, it can be harder than you expect. Which formats are available, and on which dates, depends on your test center. Check the test calendar on chinesetest.cn or ask your local center.

The HSKK Speaking Test

The HSK itself does not test speaking. That is the job of the HSKK (汉语水平口语考试 Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǒuyǔ Kǎoshì), a separate exam with three levels: elementary, intermediate and advanced. Your answers are recorded and marked later. Each HSKK level is usually scored out of 100, with 60 commonly given as the pass mark, and each level takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

You register for the HSKK separately. Some Chinese universities and scholarships ask for an HSKK result alongside the HSK, so check what your program needs. Clear tones help a lot here; our guide to the four Mandarin tones is a good place to start.

How HSK 3.0 Papers May Differ

The HSK is moving to a new standard known as HSK 3.0. The official syllabus and sample questions are already on chinesetest.cn, and reports of a September 2026 announcement from the test organizer say the first official HSK 3.0 exam is set for 13 December 2026, with the new papers expected to replace the current ones from 2027. Treat these dates as provisional until you see them on the official site for your test center.

In short, HSK 3.0 papers for Levels 1 to 6:

use larger word and character lists at each level,
can change the question types, number of questions and test length,
put more weight on speaking, with speaking tasks linked to some levels,
keep the familiar level names, but a "Level 4" under 3.0 is not the same difficulty as a "Level 4" today.

Because the official 3.0 sample papers are the only reliable guide to the new structure, the table in this article covers the current papers only. For a full comparison of word lists, levels and what to study, read our guide to HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0.

Practical Test-Day Tips

Rules differ between test centers, so read your admission ticket and center instructions first. These tips apply almost everywhere:

Print your admission ticket and bring the same ID you used to register. A mismatch can stop you from sitting the exam.
Arrive early. Late arrivals may not be allowed into the listening section.
Bring a 2B pencil and an eraser for the paper-based test, unless your center provides them.
Use the reading time before each listening part. Look at the answer options and guess what the question will ask.
Answer every multiple-choice question. There is no penalty for guessing.
Watch the clock in reading. At HSK 5 and 6, plan a time budget for each part so the last passages do not go unread.
Check characters in writing. A missing stroke or the wrong 的 (de), 地 (de) or 得 (de) costs marks. If these still trip you up, see the three de particles explained.

How to Practice with Timed Mock Tests

Knowing the HSK test structure is only useful if you practice under the same conditions. A good routine looks like this:

Take a full mock test early, about six to eight weeks before the exam, to find your weakest section.
Time every section strictly. Reading is where the clock hurts most, and you only find that out under real timing.
Review every mistake. Sort errors into "did not know the word", "misheard", "ran out of time" and "careless". Each type needs a different fix.
Repeat a full mock every one to two weeks in the same format as your exam (handwriting for paper, typing for the internet test) and compare section scores, not just the total.

Learn Chinese includes 30 full-length mock tests with score reports, so you can see your listening, reading and writing results the way the real report shows them.

Vocabulary is the base for every section. Use the word list for your level: HSK 1 vocabulary list, HSK 2 words, HSK 3 word list, HSK 4 vocabulary, HSK 5 word list and HSK 6 vocabulary list. For level-by-level study plans, see the HSK 1 beginner guide, the HSK 4 study plan and our HSK 6 preparation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HSK passing score?

For HSK 1 and HSK 2 you pass with 120 out of 200. For HSK 3 and HSK 4 you pass with 180 out of 300. The official pages for HSK 5 and HSK 6 list a 300-point total but no passing score, although 180 is the figure most learners and schools still use as a benchmark.

How long is the HSK test?

On the current papers, HSK 1 takes about 40 minutes and HSK 6 about 140 minutes. These times include about 5 minutes for filling in your personal details. HSK 2 is about 55 minutes, HSK 3 about 90, HSK 4 about 105 and HSK 5 about 125.

Do I need to pass every section of the HSK?

No. The official pages set the pass mark on the total score, not on each section. A weak section can be balanced by a strong one, but universities and employers may also look at the section scores, so do not ignore your weakest skill.

How long is an HSK score valid?

The official level pages state that scores are valid for two years from the exam date. In practice this matters most for university admission and scholarships. Each school or employer decides what it accepts, so ask them directly if your score is older.

When do I get my HSK results?

As a rule, results can be checked online about two weeks after an internet-based test and about one month after a paper-based test. Printed score reports sent to test centers outside mainland China can take one to two months. Check chinesetest.cn for your session.

Is the HSKK part of the HSK?

No. The HSKK is a separate speaking test with three levels: elementary, intermediate and advanced. You register and pay for it separately. Some universities and scholarships ask for it alongside the HSK, so check their requirements.

What's Next

Once you know the format, pick your level, check the date and format at your test center, and start timed practice early. If you are unsure which version of the exam you will sit, read HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0 before you choose a word list.

Learn Chinese is free to download on iOS and Android, with HSK 1-6 vocabulary, grammar lessons and full-length mock tests to help you prepare. HSK 1 and 2 and the first mock paper of every level are free; Learn Chinese Pro unlocks HSK 3-6 and all 186 papers.