Free HSK Practice Test: Check Your Chinese Level
25 HSK-style questions, from easy to hard, with instructions in English and pinyin on the easy ones. In about 8 minutes you get your estimated HSK level and where to start learning.
I’m a total beginner, start me at lesson 1
Free. A practice test, not an official HSK result.
- 25 questions
- 3 HSK sections
- HSK 1–6 estimate
- 8 minutes
How does the HSK level test work?
25 questions in the format of the HSK’s reading and writing parts, a little harder every five questions. No timer, no sign-up to start, and one tap answers each question.
Start at HSK 1
Short questions with pinyin over every word, which you can switch off.
Step up to HSK 5
Characters, word gaps, grammar, sentence building and short texts, one level up every five questions. Several misses in a row and the next questions come from an easier level.
See your level
Your estimated HSK level, the CEFR level it roughly matches, a score per section and the lesson to start at in Slova.
How we estimate your level
Every question is written at one HSK level, in question types of the real exam: choosing the characters for a pinyin word (看拼音写汉字), the word for a gap (选词填空), a sentence with the same meaning, building a sentence from its pieces (完成句子), short reading (阅读理解) and, at the top, the sentence with an error (语病). A level counts as passed when you get three of its questions right, and your result is the highest level you passed, counting up from HSK 1. A short test cannot tell HSK 5 from HSK 6, so HSK 6 shows as your next goal. The questions are original and not calibrated on large groups of learners, so the result is an estimate, not an official HSK result. For the real format, see the official HSK site.
What your Chinese level test result shows
All of it on one screen, free. Leave your email at the end to see it, and we send you a copy.
- Your HSK levelFrom HSK 1 up (or below HSK 1), with the levels you would likely pass and your next goal.
- A score for each sectionVocabulary and characters (词汇), grammar (语法) and reading (阅读), counted apart.
- Every answer explainedThe right answer and a short reason in English, for every question you saw.
- Where to start in SlovaThe lesson of our Chinese course that matches your level.
- Vocabulary8 of 11
- Grammar6 of 10
- Reading2 of 4
Where to start
NextLesson 201: expectations versus reality.
HSK levels explained: HSK 1 to HSK 6
The HSK (汉语水平考试) has six levels in its current form, from HSK 1 for beginners to HSK 6 for advanced learners. Here is what each one asks, with the word count of its list and the CEFR level it is often compared with. CEFR comparisons for the HSK are rough and disputed; many teachers place each level lower than the official claims.
- HSK 1
Beginner · about A1
- 150 words, pinyin over every word.
- Simple questions and answers about yourself.
- 40 questions, about 40 minutes: listening and reading.
- HSK 2
Elementary · about A2
- 300 words, still with pinyin.
- Short, simple exchanges about daily life.
- 60 questions: listening and reading.
- HSK 3
Intermediate · about B1
- 600 words, no pinyin from here on.
- Daily life, study, work and travel.
- 80 questions, now with writing.
- HSK 4
Upper-intermediate · about B2
- 1,200 words.
- Talk fluently with native speakers on many topics.
- Reading longer texts without help.
- HSK 5
Advanced · about C1
- 2,500 words.
- Read newspapers, follow films and plays.
- Give a structured talk.
- HSK 6
Proficient · C1 or above
- 5,000 words and more.
- Understand written and spoken Chinese with ease.
- Express yourself fluently in speech and writing.
HSK sample questions
Five questions from this test, from HSK 1 to HSK 5, in the HSK’s own question types. Tap to see the answer and why.
Example 1 · HSK 1 · Which characters match the underlined pinyin?
天气很热，我想喝shuǐ。
- 冰
- 谁
- 水
- 永
Show the answer
水. shuǐ “water” is written 水; 永 is yǒng and 冰 is bīng.
Example 2 · HSK 2 · Which best fills the blank?
妹妹跳舞跳＿＿＿真好！
- 得
- 地
- 的
- 着
Show the answer
得. The degree complement after a repeated verb takes 得: 跳得真好.
Example 3 · HSK 3 · Put the four pieces in order. Which one goes in ★?
小林＿＿＿ ＿★＿ ＿＿＿ ＿＿＿。
- 打了个
- 电话
- 就给妈妈
- 一回到家
Show the answer
就给妈妈 (the order: 一回到家 就给妈妈 打了个 电话). 一…就… connects two sequential actions, and preposition 给 precedes the verb: 小林一回到家就给妈妈打了个电话.
Example 4 · HSK 4 · Which sentence contains an error?
下面哪个句子有语病？
- 不管遇到多大的困难，大家都要对未来充满信心。
- 即使明天下大雪，我们也会按时去高铁站接李老师。
- 既然大家都同意这个提议，那我们就尽快开始着手准备。
- 无论平时工作多么忙碌，但是他每天都会抽出半小时锻炼身体。
Show the answer
无论平时工作多么忙碌，但是他每天都会抽出半小时锻炼身体。. 无论 expresses an unconditional condition and pairs with 都 or 也; it cannot be paired with the adversative conjunction 但是.
Example 5 · HSK 5 · Which is closest in meaning to the underlined part?
采用无纸化办公既大幅节约了行政成本，又提升了审批效率，真可以说是一举两得。
- 浪费了大量宝贵的时间
- 同时获得两方面好处
- 遇到了意料之外的阻碍
- 只能解决眼前的次要问题
Show the answer
同时获得两方面好处. 一举两得 is an idiom meaning to accomplish two goals at once (“gaining two benefits at the same time”).
HSK 1 practice test
The first five questions of this test are at HSK 1, with pinyin over every word, and every result says whether you would likely pass it.
HSK 1 is the first level, and the most searched. It checks about 150 everyday words: greetings, numbers, dates and times, family, food, places, and simple questions with 吗, 呢, 几 and 什么. Every word on the paper carries pinyin.
The real HSK 1 has 40 questions in two parts: listening (听力), 20 questions, and reading (阅读), 20 questions, in about 40 minutes. You pass with 120 of 200 points.
What HSK 1 questions look like here
- Characters from pinyin: which characters are chá, 茶 or 查?
- Word gaps: the word that fits a short sentence, such as 衣服 after 多穿点儿.
- Grammar: 吗 or 呢, 的, 了, 很 and word order.
- Short reading: a two-line message and one question.
Our test has no listening section; the real HSK 1 does, so practise listening separately. For official sample papers, see chinesetest.cn.
HSK 1 vocabulary: what is tested
HSK 1 asks for about 150 words. The test checks that you can read them in characters and use them in a sentence.
The HSK 1 words are the ones of a first conversation:
- People: 我 你 他 她 爸爸 妈妈 儿子 女儿 朋友 老师 学生 同学 医生 先生 小姐.
- Numbers, dates and time: 一 to 十, 几, 岁, 今天 明天 昨天, 上午 中午 下午, 年 月 日 号 星期, 点 分钟 现在 时候.
- Places and things: 中国 北京 学校 医院 商店 饭店 家, 书 桌子 椅子 杯子 电脑 电视 电影 衣服 钱.
- Food and drink: 米饭 菜 水果 苹果 茶 水.
- Verbs and adjectives: 是 有 在 去 来 回 看 听 说 读 写 吃 喝 买 做 住 叫 喜欢 想 会 能; 好 大 小 多 少 冷 热 高兴 漂亮.
- Little words: 吗 呢 的 了 不 没 很 太 都 和 这 那 哪 谁 什么 怎么 多少.
Here the HSK 1 questions ask which characters match a pinyin word, which word fills a gap and which phrase means the same. Three examples from this test:
Example 1 · HSK 1 · Which characters match the underlined pinyin?
这个杯子多少qián？
- 前
- 钱
- 浅
- 线
Show the answer
钱. qián “money” is written 钱 with the metal radical 钅; 前 means “front”.
Example 2 · HSK 1 · Which word best fills the blank?
李医生在＿＿＿工作。
- 饭馆
- 火车站
- 学校
- 医院
Show the answer
医院. A doctor (医生) works at a hospital: 医院.
Example 3 · HSK 1 · Which is closest in meaning to the underlined part?
这个苹果不大。
- 很大
- 很多
- 很少
- 很小
Show the answer
很小. 不大 “not big” means 很小 “very small”.
HSK 2 to HSK 6: format, words and pass marks
Each level of this test after the first matches one of these. The real exams add listening at every level and writing from HSK 3.
| Level | Words | Questions | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 2 | 300 | 60: listening, reading · about 50 min | 120 of 200 |
| HSK 3 | 600 | 80: listening, reading, writing · about 90 min | 180 of 300 |
| HSK 4 | 1,200 | 100: listening, reading, writing · about 105 min | 180 of 300 |
| HSK 5 | 2,500 | 100: listening, reading, writing · about 125 min | 180 of 300 |
| HSK 6 | 5,000 | 101: listening, reading, writing · about 140 min | 180 of 300 |
These are the HSK 2.0 figures most test centres still use; the new HSK 3.0 levels have longer word lists (see below). In our test, HSK 2 adds 了, 过, 着 and comparisons with 比; HSK 3 adds 把, 被 and result complements; HSK 4 and 5 add formal written words and connectors such as 尽管, 即使 and 何况. HSK 5 and HSK 6 are hard to tell apart in a short test, so HSK 6 shows as your next goal.
HSK reading practice
Every level of this test ends with short reading questions (阅读), like the HSK’s own: a message, a notice or a short passage and one question.
At HSK 1 and 2 the texts are two or three lines with pinyin; from HSK 3 they are notices, emails and short passages in characters only, and from HSK 4 the question often asks for the main point rather than a fact. Three examples from this test, at HSK 2, 3 and 4:
Example 1 · HSK 2 · Read the text, then answer the question.
小张，我今天感冒发烧了，要去医院看病，不能去上班了。谢谢！
他今天为什么不能去上班？
- 起得太晚
- 生病了
- 要去考试
- 要去旅游
Show the answer
生病了. He caught a cold and has a fever (感冒发烧), so he is sick: 生病了.
Example 2 · HSK 3 · Read the text, then answer the question.
读者朋友们：
为了给大家提供更好的借阅环境，图书馆将于本周三进行电脑系统升级，届时闭馆一天，周四早上八点半正常开馆。请大家提前安排好借还书的时间，感谢大家的理解与配合。
图书馆本周三为什么不开门？
- 工作人员放假
- 馆内水管坏了
- 进行电脑系统升级
- 图书馆准备搬家
Show the answer
进行电脑系统升级. The notice states the library will close on Wednesday for a computer system upgrade: 进行电脑系统升级.
Example 3 · HSK 4 · Read the text, then answer the question.
各位业主：
为配合市政供水管道检修，本小区将于本周五（11月5日）上午9:00至下午17:00暂停自来水供应。请大家提前做好储水准备，并在外出前仔细关闭好家中的水龙头。给您的生活带来不便，敬请谅解！
幸福家园物业服务中心
根据通知，本周五停水的主要原因是什么？
- 二次电路改造
- 供水管道检修
- 水费结算清查
- 小区消防演练
Show the answer
供水管道检修. The notice explicitly states that the water shutoff is for municipal water pipeline maintenance (配合市政供水管道检修).
HSK past papers, sample papers and word lists
For full papers and the official word lists, use the official site.
Chinese Testing International publishes free sample papers for each HSK level, with the listening audio and answers, and the official word lists for each level, on chinesetest.cn. Full past papers are sold as books (the official 真题集).
Use this test first to find your level, then the official sample paper for that level to get used to the format and timing.
New HSK 3.0: what changes
The new HSK has nine levels in three stages. Learners still search, and most still sit, HSK 1–6.
The HSK 3.0 standard (2021) reorganises the exam into nine levels in three stages: elementary (1–3), intermediate (4–6) and advanced (7–9, one combined exam). Its syllabus was finalised in 2025, and the new exams are being phased in through 2026, so the version you sit depends on your test centre and date.
- More words per level. The new lists are longer from the very first level, with characters and grammar points counted per level too.
- More skills. Translation and more speaking come in at the higher levels.
- Levels 7–9 are new, for very advanced learners and professional use.
This test uses the HSK 1–6 levels, which most learners and most courses still use. Where the two standards differ, our questions stay with words and grammar both agree on. Check with your test centre, or on chinesetest.cn, which version you will sit.
Chinese placement test: where to start in Slova
Your result also places you in Slova’s spoken Chinese course of 400 lessons, so you skip what you already know.
Slova is a speaking course: you learn by talking, with an AI tutor, from the first lesson. A written test tends to overrate speaking, so from HSK 3 up we start you one step lower than your reading level.
| Your result | Start at |
|---|---|
| Below HSK 1 | Lesson 1 · First greetings and everyday courtesy |
| HSK 1 | Lesson 61 · Talking about what you did today and what just changed |
| HSK 2 | Lesson 101 · Coming over, going back, and bringing things along |
| HSK 3 | Lesson 201 · Expectations versus reality |
| HSK 4 | Lesson 251 · Jotting things down, keeping a habit going |
| HSK 5 and up | Lesson 301 · Weighing two sides of a choice |
Cannot read characters yet? Skip the test and start at lesson 1: the course is spoken first and needs no characters to begin.
Chinese level test FAQ
Taking English too? Try the English level test. For the official HSK and its sample papers, see chinesetest.cn.
What is the HSK?
The HSK (汉语水平考试, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the official test of Mandarin Chinese for non-native speakers, run by Chinese Testing International. Universities in China and many employers ask for it. In its current form it has six levels, HSK 1 to HSK 6, with listening and reading at every level and writing from HSK 3 up.
How many HSK levels are there?
Six in the HSK most learners sit today, HSK 1 (150 words) to HSK 6 (5,000 words). The new HSK 3.0 standard has nine levels in three stages, with levels 7–9 as one advanced exam; it is being phased in, so check which version your test centre runs.
What is HSK 1?
HSK 1 is the first level of the HSK: about 150 everyday words and the simplest sentences, roughly CEFR A1. The exam has 40 questions, listening and reading, takes about 40 minutes, and every word carries pinyin. You pass with 120 of 200 points.
How many words do you need for HSK 1?
150 words in the HSK 2.0 list, such as 你, 好, 是, 吃, 喝, 今天 and 朋友. The new HSK 3.0 list for level 1 is longer, about 500 words, so check which version you will sit.
What is the new HSK (HSK 3.0)?
HSK 3.0 is the revised HSK standard: nine levels in three stages, longer word lists, and more speaking, writing and translation at the higher levels. Its syllabus was finalised in 2025 and the new exams are being phased in through 2026. This test uses the HSK 1–6 levels most learners still use.
Can I take the HSK test online?
The official HSK is taken on paper or on computer at an approved test centre, and some centres have also offered a home-based online version; dates and registration are on chinesetest.cn. This free test is online and takes about 8 minutes, but it is a practice and level test, not the official exam.
Is there a free HSK test online?
Yes, this one. There is nothing to pay and no account to make. At the end you leave your email address to see your result, and we send you a copy, along with 50% off Slova when it launches. Chinese Testing International also publishes free official sample papers on chinesetest.cn.
Is this a Mandarin proficiency test?
It is a short Mandarin level test, in simplified characters, modelled on the HSK. It estimates your level from characters, vocabulary, grammar and reading; it is not an official proficiency certificate.
Is the result an official HSK certificate?
No. This is a practice and level test made by Slova, not by Chinese Testing International, and its result is an estimate. Only the HSK itself gives a certificate. Use our result to choose the level to sit.
Does the test include listening?
No. This test covers characters, vocabulary, grammar and reading, and has no listening section; the real HSK has one at every level. Slova’s course itself is spoken: you listen and answer out loud from the first lesson.
Learn Chinese at your level with Slova
A spoken course of 400 short lessons, from your first 你好 to holding a natural conversation. No characters needed to start.