HSK 3 Mock Test: Practice Test in the New HSK Format

By the end you can

• Sit a full HSK 3 paper in the new format. 70 questions, 30 listening, 30 reading and 10 writing, in about 83 minutes, with the parts, question counts and timing of the new HSK 3 paper (HSK 3.0).
• Practise all three listening parts. Match ten dialogues to pictures, then answer questions about short dialogues and longer talks. Every recording plays twice.
  你今天怎么没去上班？ · Nǐ jīntiān zěnme méi qù shàngbān? · Why didn't you go to work today?
• Practise all three reading parts. Match each sentence with its reply, fill gaps from a word box, and answer a ★ question about each short text, all in characters without pinyin.
• Write characters and your own sentences. Write five missing characters from their pinyin, then write one sentence each with 打算, 参加, 干净, 季节 and 双.
  我打算明年去中国学习汉语。 · Wǒ dǎsuàn míngnián qù Zhōngguó xuéxí Hànyǔ. · I plan to go to China next year to study Chinese.
• Take the 15-item speaking paper. Repeat eight sentences after the beep, say one sentence about each of five pictures, then prepare for 3 minutes and answer two questions for 1.5 minutes each.
  你能帮我照一张照片吗？ · Nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhào yì zhāng zhàopiàn ma? · Can you take a photo for me?
• Work to exam timing. 5 minutes for your details, listening straight through, 5 minutes to transfer answers, then reading 30 minutes and writing 20. Speaking adds about 15 more.
• Mark the paper and compare with the models. The key covers every question, with model answers for writing and speaking, and the transcript prints every recording with English.
• Find what to practise next. The Score yourself box counts your marks per section and names a SayMei workbook for any section below 60%.

What’s inside

• Listening: Listening · 30 questions
• Reading: Reading · 30 questions
• Writing: Writing · 10 questions
• Speaking: Speaking · 15 questions
• Answer sheet: Answer sheet
• Transcript: Listening transcript
• Answer key: Answer key and model answers

How to use this book

The written paper takes about 83 minutes and speaking about 15 more. Sit it in one go if you can, a week or two before your exam.

1. Before you start: Set up. Print the paper and the answer sheet (page 15). Sit somewhere quiet with a pencil, headphones, a timer and a phone to record yourself.
2. About 23 minutes: Listening. Scan the QR code and play the Whole listening section track without pausing. Then take 5 minutes to transfer your answers.
3. 30 + 20 minutes: Reading, then writing. Set a 30-minute timer for reading, then 20 minutes for writing. Stop when each one rings.
4. About 15 minutes: Speaking. Play each speaking track and answer after the beep. For Part 3, pause and use the timer at saymei.app/guides/hskk-speaking-test: 3 minutes to prepare, 1.5 to speak.
5. Afterwards: Mark and review. Score yourself with the key on page 22, compare your sentences with the models, and read the transcript for any listening question you missed.
6. A few days later: Try another paper. Take HSK 3 Mock Test 2 to see whether your weakest section has improved.

Who it’s for

Learners about to take HSK 3 on the new HSK 3.0 exam, including its speaking paper, and teachers who want a full practice paper with audio for a class.

Before you start: The HSK 3 words and grammar, and reading characters without pinyin. If you're still learning them, start with the HSK 3 Course Book and take this test at the end.

Frequently asked questions

What's in the paper?

Listening has 30 questions in three parts, reading 30 in three and writing 10: five missing characters from their pinyin, then one sentence each with 打算, 参加, 干净, 季节 and 双. The speaking paper has 15 items: repeat eight sentences, say one sentence about each of five pictures, then answer two questions.

How long does it take?

The written paper takes about 83 minutes: 5 for your details, listening about 23, 5 to transfer your answers, reading 30 and writing 20. Speaking adds about 15 more. Sit it in one go if you can, a week or two before your exam.

Does it have pinyin?

The questions are in characters only. The transcript gives English for every recording, and the writing part asks you to write characters from pinyin.

How do I practise the speaking paper on my own?

Play each speaking track from the free listening page and answer after the beep, recording yourself on a phone. For Part 3, pause the track and use the timer at saymei.app/guides/hskk-speaking-test: 3 minutes to prepare, 1.5 to speak. Then compare what you said with the model answers at the back.

How close is it to the real HSK 3 exam?

It follows the published structure of the new HSK 3 paper (HSK 3.0): the same sections, parts, number of questions and timing, with words from the 2025 HSK syllabus. SayMei wrote every question, so use it as practice. HSK 3.0 pass marks are not published, so treat your score as a guide.

What should I use after it?

The Score yourself box names a SayMei workbook for any section below 60%. A few days later, take HSK 3 Mock Test 2 to see whether your weakest section has improved. For more speaking practice, the HSK 3 Speaking Mock Test (HSKK) has two more timed papers.

Do I need a SayMei account?

Yes, to download the PDF, and the account is free: sign up with Google, Apple or your email address. With it we email you a copy of the workbook, keep every workbook you download on your account on all your devices, save your place in the free online practice, and you can practise speaking with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor.

How do I print it?

The PDF is US Letter size. On A4 paper, choose "Fit to page" (or "Scale to fit") in the print dialog so nothing is cut off. Print the whole workbook or only the pages you need; colour looks best, and black and white works too.

Keep going

HSK 3 Reading Practice: Stories, Notices & Everyday Decisions · HSK 3 Vocabulary in Context Workbook · HSK 3 Guided Writing Workbook: Sentences to Short Paragraphs · HSK 3 Reading Practice 2: Emails, Blogs & Short Articles · Browse all 294 workbooks