Center for Language Education and Cooperation (Chinese Testing International / Hanban)

HSK 3

Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi — Level 3

The intermediate-entry level of China's official Chinese-language proficiency test, certifying the ability to communicate in everyday, academic, and work situations. HSK 3 is a common admissions and program-placement threshold.

About 83 minutes including 5 minutes for personal details (listening ~23 min, answer-sheet transfer 5 min, reading 30 min, writing 20 min)Career gateway

What's on the exam

HSK 3.0 Syllabus (published November 2025, implemented July 2026) — HSK (Level 3) Listening, Reading, Writing; a separate HSK speaking test is offered at this level

Listening

30 of 70 items (~43%)

Everyday conversations · Matching dialogues to pictures · True/false judgments · Short passage comprehension · Times, plans, and locations

Reading

30 of 70 items (~43%)

Sentence matching · Gap-fill with vocabulary · Short passage comprehension · Word order and cohesion · Core HSK 3 vocabulary per the HSK 3.0 syllabus

Writing

10 of 70 items (~14%)

Arranging words into sentences · Choosing the correct Hanzi from Pinyin · Producing written characters · Basic sentence construction · Common usage patterns

Frequently asked questions

How much does the HSK 3 cost?

Fees vary. Fees vary by country and test center (roughly $40–70); set by the local host institution.

How long is the HSK 3 and how many questions does it have?

70 items under the HSK 3.0 syllabus (30 listening, 30 reading, 10 writing); the previous format had 80 items (40 listening) — About 83 minutes including 5 minutes for personal details (listening ~23 min, answer-sheet transfer 5 min, reading 30 min, writing 20 min).

What do you need to pass the HSK 3?

Scored out of 300; pass mark is 180.

Can you retake the HSK 3?

May retake at a later administration.

What is the best way to study for the HSK 3?

Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Listening 30 of 70 items (~43%), Reading 30 of 70 items (~43%), Writing 10 of 70 items (~14%)). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.

Program in development

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