Exam questions and dates are the same everywhere in the world, however not all testing centres choose to offer the HSK test every month.
Many students wish to take a HSK Exam in China for a number of reasons which range from finding their current level of Chinese, achieving a personal goal, or for future career progression.
At LTL we help students prepare and arrange the exam with a number of programs and packages. We are a registered HSK Testing Centre from HSK 1 through to HSK 6.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – The HSK is changing in 2021 to nine levels instead of six! Find out more with our article that covers the New HSK extensively!
HSK TEST LEVELS
There are six HSK levels overall. HSK 1 covers basic Chinese language through to HSK 6 which is outright fluency in all circumstances. Let’s explain a little bit more about each level and what your expectations will be when taking the exam:
HSK 1 – The ability to understand basic Chinese words and phrases
HSK 2 – Can use basic Chinese and apply to complete simple tasks
HSK 3 – Can communicate daily for academic and professional purposes
HSK 4 – Converse fluently in various topics with native Chinese speakers
HSK 5 – Fluent speaking and ability to read a Chinese newspaper
HSK 6 – Ability to express whatever you wish either spoken or written.
Level
Test Duration
Words To Learn
HSK 1
35 minutes
150 words
HSK 2
50 minutes
300 words
HSK 3
1 hour 25 minutes
600 words
HSK 4
1 hour 40 minutes
1200 words
HSK 5
2 hours
2500 words
HSK 6
2 hours 15 minutes
5000 words
When the HSK is updated to 9 levels officially, we will update the table with the new system.
HOW TO HSK EXAM WORKS
The exam is either taken on computer or written format. There is no speaking involved. You can actually take a Chinese speaking test, this is referred to as the HSKK Exam (note the extra K). There are three of these tests in total. Feel free to contact us to talk more about HSKK Exams.
In terms of the computer and written exams, here are a few useful points about how the test works:
HSK 1 and HSK 2 are the two most basic HSK Exams, these involve pinyin and characters
HSK 1 and HSK 2 tests your listening and reading skills
HSK 3 through to HSK 6 are fully in Chinese characters, there is no pinyin in these exams
HSK 3 to HSK 6 testsyour listening, reading and writing skills
The HSK Exam dates are listed below.
The cost of the HSK 1 Exam is 150CNY, this increases by 100CNY for each exam. For example, HSK 4 would cost 450CNY
PLEASE NOTE – The cost of HSK Exam’s changes depending on the country you are in, these are the prices for taking the HSK in China.
The HSK exam is split into sections. Listening, Reading and Writing (HSK3-6).
Each section is broken down into a number of questions to test your ability in all forms of Chinese.
You can choose to take either the written test or the computer test.
Student Rianne and Teacher Jacqueline
Maki from Japan
Student Alessia from Italy
Graduation time at LTL
Learn Chinese in China
Students and Staff always close
Student Axl Completes Chinese!
Student Justin graduates
Ryosuke graduating from LTL
Time to go home!
Generally, we recommend the computer test as you don’t have to physically write every character which can be hard for many foreigners.
Using a keyboard to type the pinyin and automate the characters should be an easier way to score marks.
You can test your knowledge of HSK vocabulary with our FREE HSK vocabulary tests.
HSK EXAM DATES FOR 2021
Here is a list of all HSK Exam dates in 2021.
If you are taking the HSK in China the exam dates are always either on a Saturday or a Sunday. For HSK levels 2, 4 and 6 the exams usually starts at 9am and for levels 1, 3 and 5 at 1:30pm.
Date of Exam
Results Due (Paper Test)
Results Due (Online Test)
Saturday November 21st 2020
December 21st 2020
December 7th 2020
Sunday December 6th 2020
January 6th 2021
December 21st 2020
Saturday January 9th 2021
February 9th 2021
January 25th 2021
Saturday February 6th 2021
March 13th 2021
March 1st 2021
Sunday March 7th 2021
ONLINE ONLY
March 22nd 2021
Saturday March 20th 2021
April 20th 2021
April 5th 2021
Saturday April 10th 2021
May 17th 2021
April 26th 2021
Saturday May 15th 2021
June 15th 2021
May 31st 2021
Saturday June 19th 2021
July 19th 2021
July 5th 2021
Sunday July 18th 2021
August 18th 2021
August 2nd 2021
Sunday August 22nd 2021
September 22nd 2021
September 6th 2021
Saturday September 11th 2021
October 18th 2021
September 27th 2021
Sunday October 17th 2021
November 17th 2021
November 1st 2021
Saturday November 6th 2021 *
ONLINE ONLY
November 22nd 2021
Saturday November 20th 2021
December 20th 2021
December 6th 2021
Sunday December 5th 2021
January 5th 2022
December 20th 2021
*this date is Online HSK Exam only
HSKK EXAM DATES FOR 2021
The HSKK exam is a spoken only Chinese proficiency test. Below are the dates for all HSKK Exams in 2020.
Date of Exam
Results Due
Sunday December 6th 2020
January 6th 2021
Saturday January 9th 2021
February 9th 2021
Saturday March 20th 2021
April 20th 2021
Saturday April 10th 2021
May 17th 2021
Saturday May 15th 2021
June 15th 2021
Sunday July 18th 2021
August 18th 2021
Saturday October 17th 2021
November 17th 2021
Sunday December 5th 2021
January 5th 2022
HSK EXAM PRICES (CNY)
Please note these are the prices for taking the HSK Exam in China only. The prices around the world will vary depending on your location.
Our HSK classes are taught by experienced teachers who know exactly the tools you need to pass your HSK Exam.
You will learn the exact grammar structures, vocabulary and sentence patterns you need to put you in great shape going into your HSK Test.
Your HSK Classes can be combined with Small Group Classes, 1 on 1 Classes and Immersion Programs. At LTL we can help you sign up for your HSK Exam and give you any other details, or answer any other questions you have about the exam.
HSK Classes taught by HSK Teachers
1 on 1 tuition to get you ahead fast
Start on any Monday of the year
Join your HSK classes onto another program
LTL is an accredited HSK Test Centre
HSK Exams every month in China
Speak to us for more details
HSK Exam Preparation Course Prices
Regular Course Options & Pricing
HSK Standard – 20h 1-on-1 HSK classes
Duration
Discount
Price
2 weeks
0%
10,419
4 weeks
-5%
19,835
8 weeks
-14%
35,939
12 weeks
-22%
48,840
13-52 wks
-22%
3,700/wk
Intensive Class Options & Pricing
HSK Intensive – 30h 1-on-1 HSK classes
Duration
Discount
Price
2 weeks
0%
15,628
4 weeks
-5%
29,753
8 weeks
-14%
53,908
12 weeks
-22%
73,260
13-52 wks
-22%
5,550/wk
HSK EXAM PREPARATION KIT
The LTL HSK Exam Preparation Kit aims to guide you through the process of passing the HSK Exam. The key to the exam is learning specific vocabulary and grammar that we know will be tested. Thankfully we are experts in this field so look no further.
Our Preparation Kit will help create you a study plan, complete mock exams, prepare for the exam itself and help you through the payment process so you can get studying. The end goal is you passing your test.
The Process
Assessment – Your assigned HSK Specialist will get an understanding of your current level of Chinese and give you a HSK Level to attain, from one through to six.
Choose an Exam and Date – Once you are both comfortable with what level exam to take its time to pick a date and get preparing
Personalized study plan – Your plan will give you targets, strategies and mock papers so you have all the materials you need.
Take Mock Tests – It’s time to see how you fare with last year’s papers.
It’s time for your test – Good luck
What’s Included
HSK level assessment and study plan
HSK mock test and analysis
Five sets of past HSK Test papers including CD
HSK Test Syllabus
Sign up and staff support
Chinese classes are not included
COST – 980CNY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I take a course entirely based on the HSK?
Yes you can. We provide HSK preparation courses (standard or intensive) as shown on this page or online HSK courses, of which we have five in total.
All the aforementioned courses are aimed about passing the HSK exam.
How many HSK levels are there in total?
Currently, as of 2020, there are 6 HSK levels, HSK 6 being the most advanced.
Where are HSK Exams taken?
Exams are taken at a nearby centre. We will provide you with the details when the test is booked.
Do I have to take a HSK Exam?
You are under no obligations to take any exam when you learn Chinese. An oral test or a speaking test is just a way of gaining a grade. If you need this on your CV for a potential job then yes, the HSK Exam is worth taking. If you have a personal goal and want to reach a certain level of Chinese proficiency, then yes why not take the test. Otherwise the choice is completely up to you.
Do you have any way I can practice the HSK right now?
We have free HSK tests on our website you can take right now.
Bare in mind, these are simply vocabulary tests and not a mock of an official HSK test.
Our test will examine your ability on all the vocabulary for that given level, try it now!
We have indeed, many in fact. If you wish to speak to any of them, do let us know.
You can also check out a blog post and a video from two of our HSK students of the past.
How do I know my HSK Level?
Your teacher will guide and assess your Chinese language level throughout your course with LTL. They will tell you what your level is and what exam you should be aiming to take. You can then prepare for this accordingly.
Can I take an online HSK course?
Absolutely, if you want to take an Online HSK course check out our dedicated course page by visiting the link.
How many words do I need to know to pass HSK?
HSK 1 – 150 words
HSK 2 – 300 words
HSK 3 – 600 words
HSK 4 – 1,200 words
HSK 5 – 2,500 words
HSK 6 – 5,000 words
Why is the written test harder than the computer test?
We believe the computer test is a favourable choice because it cuts down the chance of losing marks and points on your exam paper. If you take the written test you must physically write down every character. If you slip up, you lose marks. With the computer exam you type the pinyin and the characters will appear on the computer. Although you still need to know which character to apply you cannot get the script of the character wrong this way. If you don’t know the answer you can make an educated guess which can often lead to you getting certain questions correct where you may have otherwise failed.
Do all HSK tests include Pinyin?
No, only HSK 1 and HSK 2 have pinyin, after this the exams are solely using Chinese characters.
What is the HSKK?
The HSKK is the spoke version of the HSK exam. There are 3 levels in total, beginner, intermediate and advanced
What Our Students Say
Juliette
UK
★
★
★
★
★
This was my fourth time in China and I could not ask for a better experience. Overall I felt the teaching was excellent and I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking to improve their Chinese.
I really enjoyed my lessons at LTL Shanghai. I thought the learning environment was well tailored to my needs. All of the teachers I met were very good and I would recommend all of them to any students.
This year I took 1-on-1 classes to prepare for the HSK 2 exam. I found the program was good, especially my 2nd week when I prepared with mock exams and tried to improve my listening.
This was my fourth time in China and I could not ask for a better experience. The program I choose to do was one to one for six weeks.
Juliette in Beijing
I had three different teachers and this gave me a chance to experience difference teaching techniques. Although we did have breaks in between the classes, the course was intense.
The school’s location was ideal as there were lots of coffee places and restaurants nearby and gyms too which students could sign up to.
The classes were mainly taught in Chinese and I felt my language progressed. One area of improvement I would say is that at times due to peak season for two weeks I had to relocate my classes to coffee shops in the nearby area. Although I did not mind this, it was not ideal.
Overall I felt the teaching was excellent and I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking to improve their Chinese.
I fully intend in continuing in learning Chinese. I’m soon entering a Master’s in Advanced Chinese studies.
If I have the opportunity to return to LTL then, yes, I would like to go back.
AC
USA
I really enjoyed my lessons at LTL Shanghai. I thought the learning environment was well tailored to my needs. I prefer cramming a lot of lessons in a short amount of time and LTL was able to provide me with a schedule that really suited my needs. I was taking classes 7 days a week, which was really great for what I wanted to achieve. They are truly adaptable.
All of the teachers I met were very good and I would recommend all of them to any students. I do plan on continuing my studies with LTL in the future. If not Shanghai, I may want to explore Taiwan, as I have never been there before and am interested in seeing what it looks like. Thanks for all your help and thanks to the teachers and staff.
Roberta
Italy
This was my 2nd visit to LTL after coming the previous year. I originally found LTL on the Internet, took a look at the website and a few videos of ex-students and after talking to my student advisor, Irene, I was pretty convinced to come to LTL!
I already knew the school and some of the teachers also so I felt my transition to China was a comfortable one. It helped being familiar.
This year I took 1-on-1 classes to prepare for the HSK 2 exam. I found the program was good, especially my 2nd week when I prepared with mock exams and tried to improve my listening.
The teachers were very professional, kind and helped me reach my objective and had no issues repeating any grammar if I needed.
My homestay was as good as perfect also. The first few days were incredible. They helped pass the time by helping me with homework and talking about various topics in Chinese.
Hopefully I will come back to Beijing again for more 1-on-1 lessons.
List of HSK Vocabulary
HSK 1 Vocabulary
The HSK 1 exam tests your ability to understand the basic Mandarin words and phrases. In the exam both Pinyin and Hanzi will be used.
If you are ready to take the HSK 5 exam you should be a fluent Mandarin speaker. You will also have the ability to read a Chinese newspaper with no problems.