HSK Test Format by Level: Questions, Sections and Timing
HSK format guideThe HSK test format becomes progressively more demanding as you move from basic listening and reading at HSK Level 1 to advanced writing, translation and speaking at HSK Levels 7–9.
However, the number of questions does not increase evenly between levels. HSK Level 4 and HSK Level 5, for example, both contain 100 questions, but Level 5 gives candidates significantly more time because its reading and writing tasks are more demanding.
This guide compares the current HSK test structure by level, including:
The sections included at each level
The number of questions or tasks
The approximate test duration
The main skills assessed
The difference between paper-based and internet-based tests
When speaking is included
Confirm which HSK format you are taking
Most regular HSK Level 1–6 test dates in 2026 continue to use the current format. HSK 3.0 is being introduced through selected sessions and has a different structure, vocabulary framework and speaking requirement.
Before choosing preparation materials, check the exact test name and format shown during registration.
This article primarily explains the current HSK Level 1–6 format. It also covers the combined HSK Levels 7–9 advanced test.
HSK test format comparison
| HSK level | Test sections | Questions or tasks | Approximate full duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK Level 1 | Listening and Reading | 40 | 40 minutes |
| HSK Level 2 | Listening and Reading | 60 | 55 minutes |
| HSK Level 3 | Listening, Reading and Writing | 80 | 90 minutes |
| HSK Level 4 | Listening, Reading and Writing | 100 | 105 minutes |
| HSK Level 5 | Listening, Reading and Writing | 100 | 125 minutes |
| HSK Level 6 | Listening, Reading and Writing | 101 | 140 minutes |
| HSK Levels 7–9 | Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation and Speaking | 98 | 210 minutes |
For HSK Levels 1–6, the published full duration includes approximately five minutes for candidates to enter their personal information. Paper-based tests also include time to transfer Listening answers to the answer sheet.
HSK Levels 7–9 use one combined advanced test. Candidates receive a Level 7, Level 8 or Level 9 result according to their performance rather than selecting one of the three levels before taking the test.
HSK Level 1 test format
HSK Level 1 is designed for beginners and contains two sections:
| Section | Parts | Questions | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| Reading | 4 | 20 | 17 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 3 minutes |
| Total | 8 | 40 | About 40 minutes including personal information |
The Listening section tests whether you can recognise familiar words, understand short statements and follow very simple dialogues.
The Reading section includes short sentences, pictures and matching activities. There is no writing section, but you must recognise the Chinese characters used in the questions and answers.
The official full test duration is approximately 40 minutes.
HSK Level 2 test format
HSK Level 2 continues to focus on Listening and Reading, but the test includes more questions and longer dialogues.
| Section | Parts | Questions | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 | 35 | 25 minutes |
| Reading | 4 | 25 | 22 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 3 minutes |
| Total | 8 | 60 | About 55 minutes including personal information |
Candidates need to understand short everyday conversations, recognise key details and connect spoken or written information with the correct picture, sentence or response.
There is still no writing section at HSK Level 2. You need to read Chinese characters, but you are not required to produce written Chinese during the test.
The official full test duration is approximately 55 minutes.
HSK Level 3 test format
HSK Level 3 is the first current-format level to include Writing.
| Section | Parts | Questions | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Reading | 3 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 10 | 15 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 5 minutes |
| Total | 9 | 80 | About 90 minutes including personal information |
The Listening section includes short dialogues and longer spoken passages. Candidates must identify details, understand the situation and select the most appropriate answer.
The Reading section tests sentence matching, text completion and comprehension of short passages.
The Writing section tests whether you can form correctly ordered Chinese sentences and produce the correct characters from the information provided.
The official full test duration is approximately 90 minutes.
HSK Level 4 test format
HSK Level 4 contains 100 questions across Listening, Reading and Writing.
| Section | Parts | Questions | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 3 | 45 | 30 minutes |
| Reading | 3 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 15 | 25 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 5 minutes |
| Total | 8 | 100 | About 105 minutes including personal information |
The Listening content is longer and requires candidates to follow conversations, identify relationships and understand the speaker’s meaning.
The Reading section includes sentence arrangement, text completion and longer passages. Candidates need to process information more quickly than at HSK Level 3.
The Writing section assesses sentence construction and the ability to create complete sentences using the information provided.
The official full test duration is approximately 105 minutes.
HSK Level 5 test format
HSK Level 5 also contains 100 questions, but it takes longer than HSK Level 4 because the reading passages and writing tasks are more substantial.
| Section | Parts | Questions | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 2 | 45 | 30 minutes |
| Reading | 3 | 45 | 45 minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 10 | 40 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 5 minutes |
| Total | 7 | 100 | About 125 minutes including personal information |
The Listening section tests detailed comprehension of dialogues and longer spoken passages. You may need to identify opinions, reasons, relationships and conclusions.
The Reading section includes text completion, information matching and comprehension of longer connected passages.
The Writing section contains sentence-building questions and two short written texts. One task uses a group of required words, while another uses a picture as the prompt.
The official full test duration is approximately 125 minutes.
HSK Level 6 test format
HSK Level 6 is the highest level in the current six-level format. It contains 101 questions or tasks.
| Section | Parts | Questions or tasks | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 3 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Reading | 4 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| Writing | 1 | 1 | 45 minutes |
| Answer-sheet transfer | — | — | 5 minutes |
| Total | 8 | 101 | About 140 minutes including personal information |
The Listening section includes statements, interviews, conversations and longer passages delivered at a more natural pace.
The Reading section tests grammatical accuracy, vocabulary in context, text completion and detailed comprehension of extended passages.
The Writing section consists of one substantial summarising task. Candidates read a Chinese text, the original text is removed, and they then produce a written summary without adding personal opinions.
The official full test duration is approximately 140 minutes.
HSK Levels 7–9 test format
HSK Levels 7–9 are assessed through one combined advanced test. Candidates do not choose a separate Level 7, Level 8 or Level 9 paper.
The result determines whether the candidate is assessed as below Level 7, Level 7, Level 8 or Level 9.
| Section | Parts | Questions or tasks | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 3 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| Reading | 3 | 47 | 60 minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 2 | 55 minutes |
| Translation | 2 | 4 | 41 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 | 5 | 24 minutes |
| Total | 13 | 98 | About 210 minutes |
The advanced test covers a much broader range of content, including news reports, academic texts, business discussions, speeches, Chinese culture and social issues.
The Writing section includes chart-based analysis and extended expression of an opinion.
The Translation section assesses translation into Chinese in both written and oral forms.
The Speaking section includes paraphrasing, responding to texts and expressing a structured point of view.
HSK Levels 7–9 are currently offered only as an internet-based test.
How does the HSK format change between levels?
The HSK exam structure develops in four main stages.
HSK Levels 1–2: Listening and Reading
The first two levels assess receptive skills. Candidates listen to basic Chinese and read short sentences but do not complete a writing section.
HSK Levels 3–4: Writing is introduced
Writing begins at HSK Level 3. Candidates must move beyond recognising the correct answer and start producing correctly structured Chinese sentences.
At HSK Level 4, the language becomes longer and more complex, while reading speed and time management become more important.
HSK Levels 5–6: Longer texts and independent production
HSK Level 5 includes longer reading passages and short compositions.
HSK Level 6 requires candidates to process advanced spoken and written Chinese quickly and complete a substantial summary task.
HSK Levels 7–9: Advanced integrated skills
The combined advanced test assesses five skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation and Speaking.
Candidates must understand complex information, organise arguments, translate into Chinese and communicate ideas orally.
Paper-based HSK vs internet-based HSK
HSK Levels 1–6 may be available in paper-based or internet-based formats, depending on the test date and centre.
The core test sections and level remain the same, but the method used to answer the questions differs.
Paper-based HSK
In a paper-based test, candidates mark answers on an answer sheet. The published schedule includes additional time after the Listening section for transferring answers.
Writing tasks must be completed by hand, so character-writing speed and legibility are important.
Internet-based HSK
In an internet-based test, candidates answer using a computer. Listening audio, section timing and answer submission are managed through the test system.
For levels with Writing, candidates type their answers using a Chinese input method. You should therefore practise typing Chinese before test day rather than relying only on handwritten exercises.
The internet-based test is still taken under supervised test conditions at an authorised centre unless the registration information explicitly states another arrangement.
Does the HSK test include speaking?
Speaking is not included inside the current HSK Level 1–6 written papers described above.
The HSK Speaking Test, also known as HSKK, is a separate assessment with Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels. It is completed through recorded responses.
Your test centre, university, scholarship programme or registration arrangement may require you to take an HSK Speaking test together with your written HSK test. Always check the complete registration information rather than assuming that only the written paper is required.
HSK Levels 7–9 are different because Speaking is already included as one of the five sections in the combined test.
How to prepare for the HSK test format
Knowing vocabulary and grammar is important, but candidates must also be able to use that knowledge within the actual test structure.
Learn the order of the sectionsUnderstand which section comes first, how many parts it contains and how much time you have. This reduces uncertainty on test day.
Practise the correct question typesDo not prepare only through general Chinese exercises. You should practise the specific Listening, Reading and Writing tasks used at your level.
Train under realistic time limitsComplete each section without pausing. You need to know whether you can maintain your concentration and accuracy throughout the full test.
Complete a full HSK mock testA complete mock test shows how vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, writing and time management work together across the entire exam.
Practise the complete HSK format online
HSK Mock allows you to practise a complete test from beginning to end using the relevant test structure and real past-paper content.
Select your HSK level
Practise the complete test format
Experience realistic section timing
Identify weaker skills and question types
Review your result after completing the test
Prepare on the web or mobile app
Frequently asked questions
How many sections are in the HSK test?
HSK Levels 1 and 2 have two sections: Listening and Reading. HSK Levels 3–6 have three sections: Listening, Reading and Writing. HSK Levels 7–9 have five sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation and Speaking.
How many questions are in the HSK test?
The number depends on the level:
HSK Level 1: 40 questions
HSK Level 2: 60 questions
HSK Level 3: 80 questions
HSK Level 4: 100 questions
HSK Level 5: 100 questions
HSK Level 6: 101 questions or tasks
HSK Levels 7–9: 98 questions or tasks
How long is the HSK test?
The full duration ranges from approximately 40 minutes for HSK Level 1 to approximately 210 minutes for HSK Levels 7–9. The exact schedule can differ slightly according to the test format and administrative arrangements at the test centre.
Which HSK level first includes Writing?
Writing begins at HSK Level 3 in the current HSK format. HSK Levels 1 and 2 assess Listening and Reading only.
Is HSK Level 5 longer than HSK Level 4?
Yes. Both contain 100 questions, but HSK Level 5 takes approximately 125 minutes compared with approximately 105 minutes for HSK Level 4. The additional time reflects the longer Reading section and more substantial Writing tasks.
Is HSK Level 6 the highest HSK level?
HSK Level 6 is the highest level in the current six-level format. HSK Levels 7–9 form a separate combined advanced test that includes Translation and Speaking as well as Listening, Reading and Writing.
Are paper-based and internet-based HSK tests the same?
They assess the same level and core skills, but the answering method differs. Paper-based candidates write or mark answers on an answer sheet. Internet-based candidates answer using a computer and type their written responses with a Chinese input method.
Does HSK include a speaking section?
The current HSK Level 1–6 written papers do not contain a speaking section. HSK Speaking is assessed separately. Speaking is included directly in the combined HSK Levels 7–9 test.
Choose your HSK level and start practising
The HSK test becomes progressively longer and more complex, but preparation is easier when you understand exactly what each section requires.
Confirm your registered test format, review the question types for your level and complete a full timed mock test before exam day.
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