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HSK 1 exam format

How long the HSK 1 exam takes, what each section contains, and what every task type asks you to do. The structure and timing below are the same ones used to assemble the practice papers on this site.

HSK 3.0 · about 40 minutes in total, of which 32 are timed sections · 40 questions · Listening and Reading · pass mark 120 of 200

These figures are the HSK 3.0 format, set by the official standard GF0025-2021. Earlier HSK 2.0 papers were structured and timed differently, so figures published for those will not match.

1 free mock

What to expect, section by section

Every HSK 1 paper here is assembled to the official HSK 3.0 blueprint: the same sections in the same order, the same task types, the same clock. Open a section below to see every task inside it, so nothing on exam day comes as a surprise.

The full written paper is 40 questions across 2 sections, about 32 minutes, scored out of 200. The pass line is 120 of 200.

听力 · Listening20 items · ~12 min · 100 pts · audio ×2

Audio drives this whole section: in exam mode each clip plays up to 2 times, and it never pauses, rewinds or shows a transcript. Practice mode lifts the cap so you can replay freely. The questions are printed, so you read as you listen.

Part 1: Picture matching (看图选择)Items 1-5 · 5 questions

Three pictures labelled A to C, and a very short piece of audio: usually a single word or a short phrase, read by one voice.

Click the letter under the picture that matches what you heard.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Look at the three pictures before the audio starts. At this length you often only need to catch one noun.

Part 2: Multiple choiceItems 6-10 · 5 questions

One short spoken line, usually a question, and three written replies labelled A to C. Only one of them is a reply a person would actually give.

Click the letter of the reply that fits.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Match the kind of answer to the kind of question. A yes-or-no question is not answered with a place or a time.

Part 3: Picture matching (看图选择)Items 11-15 · 5 questions

One shared set of six pictures labelled A to F for the whole part, then a run of short exchanges between two speakers. Each exchange fits one of the pictures.

Click the letter of the picture. Every picture belongs to exactly one item.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Cross off each picture as you place it. The set is shared, so the ones already used cannot come back.

Part 4: Multiple choiceItems 16-20 · 5 questions

A short piece of audio, usually one speaker, with a printed question about it and three options labelled A to C.

Click the letter of the correct option.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Read the printed question before the audio plays. It tells you which single detail to listen for.

阅读 · Reading20 items · ~20 min · 100 pts

No audio here: printed passages, sentences and options against the section clock. The clock is the real opponent, so pacing matters more in Reading than anywhere else on the paper.

Part 1: Sentence matching (句子匹配)Items 21-25 · 5 questions

One shared set of six pictures labelled A to F, and a run of printed sentences. Each sentence describes one of the pictures.

Click the letter of the picture the sentence describes.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Start from the sentence you understand best. Each picture is used once, so every match you are sure of removes an option from the rest.

Part 2: Sentence matching (句子匹配)Items 26-30 · 5 questions

One shared set of six printed sentences labelled A to F, and a run of questions or remarks. Each one has exactly one sentence in the set that answers it.

Click the letter of the sentence that replies to the item.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Question words decide most of these: 谁 asks who, 哪儿 asks where, and 几点 asks what time. Find the word that asks and the reply follows.

Part 3: Fill the blanks from a word list (选词填空)Items 31-35 · 5 questions

A shared bank of six words labelled A to F, and a run of single sentences with one blank each. Every blank takes one word from the bank.

Click the letter of the word that belongs in the blank.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: Decide what kind of word the blank needs before you look at the bank. A blank after 去, meaning to go, wants a place rather than an adjective.

Part 4: Multiple choiceItems 36-40 · 5 questions

One or two printed sentences, a question about them, and three options labelled A to C. Everything you need is on the page.

Click the letter of the correct option.

Marked automatically against the answer key when your paper is scored, at no cost.

Tip: The answer is stated in the text rather than inferred from it. If you are reasoning hard at this level, read the sentence again.

HSK 1 questions, answered

How long is the HSK 1 exam?

The HSK 1 exam is about 40 minutes long under the HSK 3.0 format, of which 32 minutes are timed sections. The difference is the time the standard sets aside for filling in your details and your answer sheet. Figures published for the older HSK 2.0 paper are different and will not match.

What is on the HSK 1 exam?

The HSK 1 written paper has 2 sections: Listening and Reading. Between them they ask 40 questions worth 200 points in total. Every section is timed separately and the listening audio plays once.

What score do you need to pass HSK 1?

You need 120 out of 200 to pass HSK 1, which is 60%. The HSK compensates across sections, so a weak section can be carried by a strong one as long as the total clears the line.

How many words do you need for HSK 1?

HSK 1 prescribes 300 words. That is the vocabulary the HSK 3.0 standard sets for this level, and the paper is written within it.

Is HSK 1 hard?

HSK 1 sits at A1 on the CEFR scale. The honest answer is that difficulty is relative to where you are, which is what a timed mock exam is for: it measures you against the 120-point line rather than guessing.

See real HSK 1 questions

Free HSK 1 practice questions with the answer to each one, section by section. No account needed.

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A full HSK 1 mock, assembled to the structure above and timed like the real thing. Your first one is free.

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