Old or new HSK exam? A short decision guide
Published 2026-10-31 · sources last checked 31 October 2026 · counts read from the official HSK 3.0 syllabus data
Free self-study material — not an official HSK study guide. Using this site or its learning material does not guarantee that you will pass any exam. We are not responsible for any error in a translation, definition, word list, practice test or other study material, or for any exam result, including a failed exam. Check the official syllabus and format with your test center before you sit it. See Terms of Service §9.4.
This page is a short guide for one question: which word lists should you study? Use the helper at the end to see what applies to you.
Which sittings use which version
- HSK 2.0: CTI's published 2026 calendar has HSK 1–6 sittings up to 7 November 2026 before the new exam starts. Those use the six-level HSK 2.0 format.
- HSK 3.0: CTI announced that HSK 3.0 launches worldwide on 13 December 2026. Its levels follow the 2025 exam syllabus, with 7 word lists for nine levels (levels 7–9 share one list).
- Later sittings: as of 31 October 2026, the official notices we read do not say whether HSK 2.0 sittings continue after the launch, so we do not guess. Your test center will know.
If you studied the HSK 2.0 lists
Nothing you learned is wasted. Of the 4,995 HSK 2.0 words, 2,532 are at the same level in HSK 3.0, 375 moved to an easier level and 1,945 to a harder one. The new syllabus also adds 6,044 words that were not in the old lists.
The practical step: open your level's HSK 3.0 page, set the filter to "New to HSK", and study those words first. The level-by-level comparison shows the same figures for every level.
How to check with your test center
- Find your test center on chinesetest.cn, the official registration site.
- Check the sitting's date and whether it is a paper or computer test.
- Ask the center which version (HSK 2.0 or HSK 3.0) the sitting uses and what its own registration deadline is. Centers can close earlier than the official date; see dates and deadlines.
Which exam is yours?
Two quick answers and this shows what applies. Nothing is saved or sent.
Choose one answer in each group.
Your sitting uses the HSK 2.0 format and lists, so keep going with the HSK 2.0 lists and their practice papers.
A sitting on or before 7 November 2026 uses HSK 2.0, so go through the HSK 2.0 list for your level too. Each HSK 3.0 level page shows the HSK 2.0 level of every word, which makes the overlap easy to see.
Start with the HSK 2.0 list for your level, since that is what your sitting tests.
The first HSK 3.0 sitting is 13 December 2026, so confirm with your test center that yours uses HSK 3.0. What you learned still counts: each HSK 3.0 level page shows every word's HSK 2.0 level, and its filter lists the words that are new to HSK, so you can study just the difference.
Confirm with your test center that your sitting uses HSK 3.0; if it does, you are on the right lists. Each HSK 3.0 level page also has that level's characters and grammar points.
Confirm with your test center which version your sitting uses. For HSK 3.0, start with HSK 3.0 Level 1.
The first HSK 3.0 sitting is 13 December 2026. When you book, ask the test center which version the sitting uses; if it is HSK 3.0, compare your level on its HSK 3.0 page, which shows each word's old level.
When you book, ask the test center which version the sitting uses. If it is HSK 3.0, you are already on the right lists.
HSK 3.0 is the new exam, so HSK 3.0 Level 1 is a sensible start. When you book, confirm the version with your test center.
Coming soon: a level checker for your own Chinese text and a deck builder for your level. Until then, the HSK Level Analyzer shows the HSK levels of the words in any text, and your review deck keeps the words you save with [+ deck].
Next step
Open the HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 word list: every word with pinyin, English and audio, plus that level's characters and grammar points.
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
- “HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026!”, Chinese Testing International news notice, accessed 2026-10-31.
- 2026年考试日期 (2026 test dates), Chinese Testing International, published 2025-12-25, accessed 2026-10-31.
- 中文水平考试 HSK 考试大纲 (Syllabus for the Chinese Proficiency Test), Center for Language Education and Cooperation, published 2025-11, in effect 2026-07 (PDF), accessed 2026-10-31.
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.
Every HSK page on this site
The new HSK 3.0 standard, the HSK 2.0 lists, practice tests and study tools, all free.
HSK 3.0 (new standard)
- HSK hub: old and new lists
- HSK 3.0 level 1 words
- HSK 3.0 level 2 words
- HSK 3.0 level 3 words
- HSK 3.0 level 4 words
- HSK 3.0 level 5 words
- HSK 3.0 level 6 words
- HSK 3.0 levels 7–9 words
- HSK 3.0 level checker
- My level, new list (2.0 → 3.0)
- HSK exam countdown planner