The new HSK 3.0 exam format

Published 2026-10-31 · sources last checked 31 October 2026 · counts read from the official HSK 3.0 syllabus data

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Short answer: HSK 3.0 has nine levels with 7 word lists, because levels 7–9 are one combined exam. It is offered on paper or on computer. At CTI's September 2026 trial sitting, levels 3–6 came with a speaking test booked together with the written one.

This page collects what the official syllabus and CTI's notices say about how the exam is organized. Where they say nothing, we say nothing, and the list at the bottom names our sources.

Levels

  • Levels 1 to 6 each have their own word, character and grammar lists in the syllabus.
  • Levels 7, 8 and 9 share one list of each and are tested together. CTI's 2026 calendar lists "HSK（七—九级）" as one exam.
  • Each level includes everything below it: 300 words at level 1, 5,400 through level 6 and 11,000 through levels 7–9.

Paper or computer

CTI's notices list two forms: a paper-based test and a computer-based test. Which one you sit depends on your test center, and the two have different registration deadlines (see dates and deadlines).

Written and speaking parts

CTI's notice for the second trial sitting (20 September 2026) gave these approximate timings, and said that HSK levels 3–6 had to be registered together with the speaking test of the same level:

LevelWritten examSpeaking test
HSK 1about 40 minutes—
HSK 2about 60 minutes—
HSK 3about 83 minutesabout 15 minutes
HSK 4about 85 minutesabout 20 minutes
HSK 5about 110 minutesabout 23 minutes
HSK 6about 125 minutesabout 23 minutes

These are trial-sitting figures. CTI's notice for the 13 December 2026 launch gives the date and deadlines but, as of 31 October 2026, not a timetable, so check the final timings with your test center.

For levels 7–9 the syllabus describes three kinds of task: understanding (tested as listening and reading), expression (tested as speaking and writing) and translation. More on the speaking side is in HSK 3.0 speaking.

Check yourself: 5 questions

Pick an answer to see the explanation. Nothing is saved or sent.

  1. How many separate word lists does the HSK 3.0 syllabus give?
  2. At the September 2026 trial sitting, which written levels had to be booked together with a speaking test of the same level?
  3. In which forms is the HSK 3.0 exam offered?
  4. What do levels 7–9 add that levels 1–6 do not describe in the syllabus?
  5. How many words does the syllabus list in total, through levels 7–9?

Next step

Open the HSK 3.0 Level 3 word list: every word with pinyin, English and audio, plus that level's characters and grammar points.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Levels 7–9

Studied for HSK 2.0? Paste your word list into the HSK 3.0 level checker to see which words moved up, moved down or left the syllabus.

More on HSK 3.0

Sources

Word, character and grammar counts are read from our copy of the syllabus data every time this page is built. Explanations are our own. ThePureLanguage is an independent learning site, not affiliated with or endorsed by CLEC, CTI or any exam body; HSK is a trademark of its owner.

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