HSK 3 exam format
How long the HSK 3 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 83 minutes in total, of which 73 are timed sections · 70 questions · Listening, Reading and Writing · pass mark 180 of 300
Compared with HSK 2, the prescribed vocabulary more than doubles, from 500 words to 1,000. On the paper itself, write a sentence appears for the first time, choose the character drops out, the writing minimum rises from 100 characters to 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.
What to expect, section by section
Every HSK 3 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 70 questions across 3 sections, about 73 minutes, scored out of 300. The pass line is 180 of 300.
HSK 3 questions, answered
How long is the HSK 3 exam?
The HSK 3 exam is about 83 minutes long under the HSK 3.0 format, of which 73 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 3 exam?
The HSK 3 written paper has 3 sections: Listening, Reading and Writing. Between them they ask 70 questions worth 300 points in total. Every section is timed separately and the listening audio plays once.
What score do you need to pass HSK 3?
You need 180 out of 300 to pass HSK 3, 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 3?
HSK 3 prescribes 1,000 words. That is the vocabulary the HSK 3.0 standard sets for this level, and the paper is written within it.
How much do you have to write for HSK 3?
The official standard expects no less than 200 Chinese characters, in a limited time. It asks for emails, general notices and short narratives, judged on basically coherent language and basically clear expression, copying correctly at a minimum of 20 per minute. That is GF0025-2021, the standard the exam is built against.
Is HSK 3 hard?
HSK 3 sits at A2 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 180-point line rather than guessing.
See real HSK 3 questions
Free HSK 3 practice questions with the answer to each one, section by section. No account needed.
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A full HSK 3 mock, assembled to the structure above and timed like the real thing. Your first one is free.
Go to the HSK 3 exam