The New HSK Exam System 😲 (2020-2021)
New HSK Exam – The (Ultimate) Complete Guide 📝
WHAT? There’s a new HSK Exam?
You are probably a tad confused by the title of this blog, so let us rephrase.
THE CURRENT HSK EXAM SYSTEM IS GOING TO CHANGE!
I’m sure there are a lot questions on your lips is… will I have to take the test again, is my current qualification still valid…?
In short, we are still not 100% sure as there hasn’t been much information announced by the HSK Official Headquarters.
However we do know some things and it’s these we’ll be covering today.
Don’t worry also – when we discover further details you’ll be the first to know as we update all our content.
To make sure you are the first to receive the news, be sure to be signed up to our newsletter:
New HSK: Introduction to HSK
New HSK: What Do We Know So Far?
New HSK: Why the Change?
New HSK: What Does This Mean For You?
New HSK: FAQ + Tips
NEW HSK – Introduction to the HSK
HSK or Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试) came about in 1992 as a proficiency exam for Mandarin Chinese.
The exams are organised by Hanban (汉办). Hanban are a part of the Chinese education ministry, who are also in charge of the Confucius Institutes (孔子学院).
HSK is currently split into 6 levels covering 150 to 5000 words.
All the exams contain listening, reading and writing components – with HSK 1 and 2 not requiring the writing element.
We still do not know what the actual situation will be, but we do know that the New HSK Exam will contain more words, more levels and it will be no doubt harder – as the following below will illustrate.
PS – You can find the official HSK website here.
NEW HSK – What Do We Know So Far?
Announcement 🔈
“HSK is about to be reformed. In 2020, the Chinese Proficiency Standards will usher in a new change: a hybrid paradigm of ‘Three Stages and Nine Levels’ characterised by integration and all-in-one”
The new “Three stages, nine levels” evaluation system of the HSK
Just because we’re super nice to you all, here’s that table translated for those interested…
| Level | Level Number | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced | Levels 7, 8 & 9 | For levels 7-9 there is no evaluation quota as of yet. |
| Intermediate | Levels 4, 5 & 6 | From levels 1-6, each has a corresponding threshold for the number of syllables, characters, words and grammatical structures the test taker should be able to comprehend and use. |
| Beginner | Levels 1, 2 & 3 | From levels 1-6, each has a corresponding threshold for the number of syllables, characters, words and grammatical structures the test taker should be able to comprehend and use. |
Announced in May 2020, released via the official HSK official Twitter Account, the exam will change from six to nine levels!
In order to mark the examinees’ current progress, the nine levels will be sub-divided into three stages.
For advanced learners to acquire native-level proficiency certifications, the highest classification will be be further divided into three distinct levels.
Three Stages and Nine Levels 🤔
Officially referred to as HSK 3.0, the new HSK exam structure will be divided into three stages and nine levels with:
- Beginner at Level 1-3
- Intermediate at Level 4-6
- Advanced at Level 7-9
According to the Chinese Testing International Centre in Barcelona, the advanced levels (7-9) are for foreign students who want to specialize in Chinese language and literature, and other majors such as Sinology.
The Advanced HSK exam (Level 7-9) is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2021.
Whether it be the lower level or highest grade, you must learn more words so it will certainly be a harder test!
| Level | Difficulty | Number Of Words | Difference From Old HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Beginner | 500 | +350 |
| HSK 2 | Beginner | 1272 | +972 |
| HSK 3 | Beginner | 2245 | +1645 |
| HSK 4 | Intermediate | 3245 | +2045 |
| HSK 5 | Intermediate | 4316 | +1816 |
| HSK 6 | Intermediate | 5456 | +456 |
| HSK 7 | Advanced | 11,092 (TBC) | TBC |
| HSK 8 | Advanced | 11,092 (TBC) | TBC |
| HSK 9 | Advanced | 11,092 (TBC) | TBC |
Here’s a side-by-side look at the Old HSK vs New HSK to give you a clear indication that the NEW HSK will be certainly more difficult.
| Level | New HSK | Current HSK |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 500 | 150 |
| HSK 2 | 1,272 | 300 |
| HSK 3 | 2,245 | 600 |
| HSK 4 | 3,245 | 1,200 |
| HSK 5 | 4,316 | 2,500 |
| HSK 6 | 5,456 | 5,000 |
| HSK 7 | 11,092 (TBC) | – |
| HSK 8 | 11,092 (TBC) | – |
| HSK 9 | 11,092 (TBC) | – |
Words and Vocabulary List 🧠
In a PDF published by the International Chinese Education (世界汉语教学 shìjiè hànyǔ jiàoxué), they further outline the new proficiency standards for all the levels.
The difficulty has certainly increased!
Focusing on the vocabulary column (词汇: cíhuì) a.k.a. the fifth column, we can see that just for level 1 the threshold has increased.
Instead of previously needing to learn 150 words for HSK 1, this has now increased to 500.
For HSK 6, students will now be required to learn 5,456 words and for HSK 9 students will be expected to know over 11,000 words!
Therefore, by increasing the threshold students will be pushed harder to learn more words.
Although no vocabulary lists has been published, we recommend you get a head start by beginning to increase your current vocabulary lists etc.
NEW HSK – Why the Change?
There is no definite answer to this question.
But here’s some possible reasons:
- To make the exam harder
- As more people are studying the language, the old classification could no longer meet the requirements of the new situation.
- This new classification is more precise and further categorizes students language ability.
- To align with the European Framework
- One major problem with the current HSK test is it does not directly correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CETR)
- For example, HSK 6 was nowhere near the “almost-native” C2 level and so on.
- Thus, by adjusting the test to better reflect the CEFR system this should help give the HSK improved weighting and caliber on the international stage.
NEW HSK – What Does This Mean For You?
There has been no word so far on what this means for graduation requirements for international students in China.
With the exam system changing, it is hard to go into details what this exactly means for you.
Previously, a level between HSK 4-6 was sufficient for students who wanted to pursue graduate or higher-level degree in Chinese.
As soon as more details are announced, we will update you!
If you have any more questions feel free to comment down below and we will try our best to answer them.
NEW HSK – FAQ’S + Tips
Our top tip to you is not to worry!
The new exam system is good for beginners and definitely a challenge for any advanced learner.
Although your current level will be most likely downgraded due to this new system, the good thing is that you can still aim for HSK 6.
Unless you intend to specialize in Sinology or otherwise, this level is probably enough to get you where you want to be!
Fancy taking some HSK Vocab Tests to see your current level?
We’ve made HSK1 – HSK6 vocab tests (using the old system) to give you an idea of where you are at! Enjoy…
Take your HSK Vocabulary test here.
New HSK – FAQ’s
What are the main differences between the old and the new HSK?
The two main differences are as follows:
The old/current HSK has 6 levels and the new HSK has 9.
The old/current HSK tests up to 5,000 words, whereas the new HSK requires you to know over 11,000
When was the New HSK announced?
May 21st 2020 on the Official HSK Twitter account.
When will the system change?
We are still not sure of when this system will change, all we know so far is that the Advanced HSK exam (Level 7-9) is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2021.
How many words to pass the highest (new) HSK level?
The highest level of HSK you can pass with the new system is HSK 9 and this requires knowing a huge 11,092 words, more than double the current highest level (HSK6).
Will I have to buy new HSK textbooks?
Probably yes, we will keep you updated on this.
How can I improve my Chinese while waiting for further announcements?
We would you recommend you do this while you wait!
Check out our online immersion and free HSK quizzes to expand your Chinese.
Also be sure to check our blogs on how to self-learn Chinese or you could always book classes with LTL.
How do you say HSK in Chinese?
汉语水平考试 (hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì)
Will I be notified if further news on this is announced?
Of course.
Keep checking this blog for further updates on the New HSK and subscribe to our newsletter.
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PS – DID YOU KNOW you can study the HSK with us online here!
12 comments
Great article! Do you know when more updates on this will be available?
Not yet, we will update you as soon as we get more information.
LTL
Noooo, I already have HSK 6 :(
No worry Emma, if anything it's good you've already got it because it's about to become a whole lot harder!
We will keep you posted.
LTL
So in order to get a job that includes chinese language, would you have to be able to pass HSK 9?? I am level 3 and speaking most of what I say in chinese with my teacher, so by hsk 6, I could completely be fluent enough to communicate for a basic job. I dont mind that the levels are changing, but what does that mean for the tests?
Hi CW - no you don't need to pass the 9 to get a job that includes Chinese. In fact in the current structure some companies accept 5, 4 or even HSK 3 depending on how much Chinese is involved so there's no need to stress about that.
The HSK 9 will ultimately be the most advanced Chinese exam you can take and it's certainly not one you'd need to pass to work in China.
Hope that helps
LTL
Ok so I'm an MBBS student and earlier we has hsk 4 as the compulsory exam , 1200 words along with our already vast syllabus was already a task and now 3000+ characters! #_#. Will they also change the levels required!? Because we were asked for just hsk4 in order to be eligible for the degree , I don't think they change the required levels midway of the session for a batch !
Hi Muskan - thanks for your comment :)
No you are right, we'd be very surprised if they changed the required levels. It makes no sense at all. I wouldn't worry, ultimately if you know 1,200 words, whether it's classed at HSK2 or HSK 6... your ability is still the same.
I think what the new format is doing gives a clearer idea of someone's ability, simply because Chinese is just so in depth. You could quite easily get a HSK 6 student who scores 90% in the exam... which you'd assume is fully fluent, but actually their speaking might only be to HSK3/4 level... this is very common especially with students who don't come to China or speak it.
Don't worry, and keep studying hard :)
LTL
hello
it seems you have published the dates of hsk exams in 2021; do you know if these exams in the current format, or is it possible the current format will run alongside the updated test for a while?
Thanks!
Noah
We do not know I'm afraid Noah. HSK haven't given any clarity on this so the best advice we can give is to keep planning for the standard format... any news after that we will publish straight away.
Thanks for your question :)
LTL
I was preparing for HSK 6 and wanted to take it on December but then I thought maybe I should give it more time so I’d get a better grade, then this whole new hsk thing came out :( Do u think I should better take the exam before 2021 (the current format) or should I just keep studying and wait for the new format?
Hi Skye, thanks for your comment.
I would keep preparing for, and take the HSK 6 as normal. As of now we don't really know how it's going to change but for sure the new HSK 6 will be much harder. You may as well get it locked in now before it gets harder, but really, don't stress or rush.
As of now (November 2020) we believe the changes won't be happening until around May 2021 anyway.
Hope this helps
LTL