HSK3.0 What You Need to Know

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the characters and pinyin 

In 2021, the Chinese Testing Center announced there would be a new version of the HSK test, HSK 3.0., which includes 9 new levels instead of the 6 existing ones, a full revamp of the content in each level, and a whopping addition of 3,000 words to learn.

What is new in HSK3.0?

The new version of the HSK uses the same test to assess students’ abilities across multiple levels: there’s one test for levels 1 to 3, one test for levels 4 to 6, and one for levels 7 to 9. A test taker’s level is determined by their score on a given test.

Translation and Oral Test

The new official HSK standard requires an oral test for all levels as well as a translation test for levels HSK4-9. The translation test will be Chinese –> English and English –> Chinese…..which means if you are not an English native speaker, you need to study both English and Chinese to take this exam! And hopefully your hand writing is good, because the worst part is you are not allowed to type; instead you need to write all the translations by hand!

Compare to HSK2.0

HSK 1-3 Criteria

• Reading 
  • Know 900 characters, 210 grammar points, and 2254 vocabulary words (HSK3)Reading speed: 100-120 characters a minute
  • Can introduce, repeat, and describe the contents of the reading
  • Able to find words in the dictionary
  • Able to read simple notifications and bills (office, school, etc)
• Listening
  • Understand audio clips of daily conversation, around 300 characters in length
  • Listening speed: 100-180 characters a minute
  • Be able to understand the connotations of the piece
• Speaking
  • Be able to use basic grammar, correct pronunciation, and vocabulary
  • Clear speech
  • Be able to reply to other people’s invitations and prompts
  • Be able to talk about festivals, education, and occupation
• Writing
  • Know 300-900 characters
  • Writing speed: 10-20 characters a minute
  • Email writing, notification, studies, notes, and description writing
  • Clear structure and grammar
  • Be able to finish a 200 character writing (HSK3)

HSK 4-6 Criteria

• Reading
  • Know 1800 characters, 424 grammar points, and 5456 vocabulary words (HSK6)
  • Reading speed: 100-120 characters a minute
  • Can guess the meaning through the context
  • Able to read between the lines and pick up inferences
• Listening
  • Understand audio clips of formal social conversation and simple news, around 600 characters in length
  • Listening speed: 180-240 characters a minute
  • Be able to understand the speaker’s real intent, as well as accented or unclear pronunciation
• Speaking
  • Be able to use basic grammar, correct pronunciation, and vocabulary words
  • Natural speech
  • Be able to negotiate, express one’s opinion, and solve arguments
  • Be able to talk about office topics, city news, and cultural differences
• Writing 
  • Know 900-1800 characters
  • Able to summarize, and write about the natural environment, commercial and health issues
  • Logical, clear structure, grammar, and rhetorical sentences
  • Be able to finish a 600 character response (HSK6)
• Translation 
  • Translate passages from Chinese –> English and English –> Chinese
  • Accuracy of translated content
  • Able to simultaneously read, interpret, and translate Chinese text
  • Translation focuses on grammatically correct and smooth language

HSK 7-9 Criteria

• Reading 
  • Know 3,000 characters, 572 grammar points, and 11,092 vocabulary wordsReading speed: 200-240 characters a minute
  • Grasp the meaning, structural composition, and logic of the piece
  • Able to identify grammar, language, and logical mistakes in advanced pieces
• Listening
  • Understand audio clips of lectures or news, around 800 characters in length
  • Be able to understand the social and cultural context and connotations of the piece
• Speaking
  • Be able to discuss and debate topics using advanced grammar, correct pronunciation, and rich vocabulary and content
  • Natural speech
  • Awareness of cultural differences and gaps
  • Clearly articulate your own position with strong logic and fluent speech
• Writing
  • Know 3,000 characters and 11,092 vocab words
  • Practical writing, expository prose, argumentative writing, and professional writing
  • Clear prose, strong logic, and grammar
  • Rich and natural use of idioms, common sayings, and rhetorical styles
• Translation 
  • Translate passages from Chinese –> English and English –> Chinese
  • Accuracy of translated content
  • Able to simultaneously read, interpret, and translate Chinese text
  • The translation is not only grammatically correct, but also uses rhetorical devices and appropriate style