What HSK Level Am I?
Sixteen adaptive questions that find your level instead of guessing it. The test starts at HSK 2 and moves up or down with every answer.
What is the HSK?
The HSK (汉语水平考试, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is the official Chinese proficiency exam for non-native speakers, run by the Chinese Ministry of Education. The current test has six levels, from HSK 1 for absolute beginners to HSK 6 for near-native readers. Universities and employers in China commonly ask for HSK 4 or above.
What you can do at each level
| Level | What you can do | Vocabulary |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Understand and use very simple words and set phrases: greetings, numbers, family, basic questions. | approx. 150 words |
| HSK 2 | Handle simple, routine exchanges about daily life — shopping, telling the time, directions, the weather. | approx. 300 words |
| HSK 3 | Manage most situations that come up while travelling or living in China, and talk about work and study. | approx. 600 words |
| HSK 4 | Discuss a fairly wide range of topics with native speakers and read straightforward articles. | approx. 1,200 words |
| HSK 5 | Read newspapers and magazines, follow films and TV, and give a reasonably full talk on a topic. | approx. 2,500 words |
| HSK 6 | Understand almost anything you hear or read, and express yourself fluently in speech and writing. | approx. 5,000+ words |
Vocabulary figures are the usual guide for the current six-level exam. A newer nine-level standard (HSK 3.0) has been published and uses different counts, so treat these as approximate rather than official targets.
How this test works
Every question is drawn from a bank of 200 covering vocabulary, grammar particles and measure words — all text, no listening. You start at HSK 2. Answer correctly and the next question comes from one level up; miss it and the next comes from one level down. After sixteen questions the test averages the second half, once it has stopped swinging, and reports that as your level. Because questions are drawn at random, a retake gives you a different set.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions is the test, and how long does it take?
Sixteen questions, and most people finish in four to five minutes. There is no timer — take as long as you like on each question.
Is it really free? Do I need to sign up?
It is completely free and there is nothing to sign up for. We never ask for your email or any personal details, and your answers are never tied to you or stored against your name. Like almost any website, we do collect anonymous, aggregate usage statistics (for example, which questions get answered correctly), but nothing that identifies you.
How does the adaptive test work — is it accurate?
The test starts at HSK 2. Every time you answer correctly it moves one level up, and every time you miss it moves one level down, so it homes in on your level instead of asking you sixteen questions that are all too easy or all too hard. Your result comes from the second half of the test, once it has settled. It is a good guide for choosing study material, but it is not an official HSK score.
Which HSK level should I actually register for?
Most learners sit the exam one level below where they test comfortably, because the real exam adds listening and reading under time pressure. If you land on HSK 4 here, HSK 3 is usually the safe registration and HSK 4 the stretch.
Will I get the same questions if I take it again?
No. Questions are drawn at random from a bank of 200, and the path through the bank depends on your answers, so a retake gives you a different set.
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