Chinese Level Test
What's my HSK level? Find out in about 5 minutes.
Have you studied Chinese before?
- Never · Start from the first words
- A little · Around HSK 1–2
- Yes, for a while · HSK 3 or above
Characters: Simplified or Traditional.
About 20 questions · 5 minutes · free · no sign-up
How the test works
SayMei's Chinese level test is a free, adaptive test of about 20 questions (words, listening, short sentences). It estimates your HSK level on the new HSK 3.0 exam and the old HSK 2.0, how many words you know, and a rough CEFR band. It is a practice estimate, not an official HSK score.
- Words. Read a Chinese word and pick what it means.
- Listening. Tap play, listen, and pick what the word means.
- Sentences. Read a short sentence and pick what it says.
You get your level on the new HSK 3.0 exam and the old HSK 2.0, about how many words you know, how sure the estimate is, and what to learn next.
Every question comes from the official HSK word lists (the 2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus). Not sure? Tap “I don't know”: guessing only blurs your result.
The test starts near the level you pick and asks 4 questions at a time. 3 or 4 right moves you up a level, 0 or 1 moves you down, and 2 asks 4 more. It stops once it finds the line between a level you know and the next one, after 24 questions at most.
Your word count adds up the share of each level's words you know, corrected for lucky guesses. You reach a level when you know about 75% of its whole word list, from HSK 1 up to that level.
This is a free self-check, not a university placement exam. If your school asks for placement, take its own test.
HSK levels at a glance
| Level | New HSK 3.0 | Old HSK 2.0 | CEFR (rough) | You can… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 words | 150 words | A1 | Greet people, say who you are, and order one thing. |
| HSK 2 | 500 words | 300 words | A1 | Talk about your day, prices, times and simple plans. |
| HSK 3 | 1,000 words | 600 words | A2 | Handle everyday life: travel, shopping, work and short stories. |
| HSK 4 | 2,000 words | 1,200 words | B1 | Talk about familiar topics at length and follow slow, clear speech. |
| HSK 5 | 3,600 words | 2,500 words | B2 | Communicate accurately and appropriately at work and in your studies. |
| HSK 6 | 5,400 words | 5,000 words | C1 | Follow complex Chinese and say exactly what you mean. |
| HSK 7–9 | 11,000 words | — | C1–C2 | Study and work in Chinese at university level. |
HSK vs TOCFL vs CEFR vs ACTFL
| Test | Who runs it | Where it counts | Levels | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK | China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation | Universities, scholarships and jobs in Mainland China | 1–6 today; 1–9 from 13 December 2026 | You plan to study or work in Mainland China. |
| TOCFL | Taiwan's SC-TOP (Ministry of Education) | Study, scholarships and jobs in Taiwan | Novice, then Levels 1–6 (A1–C2) | You plan to study or work in Taiwan, usually in traditional characters. |
| CEFR | Council of Europe | European courses and comparing languages | A1–C2 | You want one scale for every language you learn. It is a framework, not a Chinese exam. |
| ACTFL | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages | US schools, college credit and workplaces | Novice to Distinguished | A US school or employer asks for it. |
If a school or employer names a test, take that one.
Official sites: chinesetest.cn · tocfl.edu.tw · coe.int · actfl.org
Taking the official HSK
- Who can take it
- Anyone who isn't a native speaker of Chinese, at any age.
- Where
- At test centers in many countries, including the United States, or at home as an internet-based exam. Dates, centers and fees: chinesetest.cn.
- Practice
- Free official mock tests: hskmock.com.
- The new exam
- HSK 3.0 is first sat worldwide on 13 December 2026; registration closes on 16 November for paper tests and 3 December for internet-based tests. Earlier dates use HSK 2.0.
Common questions
What HSK level am I?
Take the free test on this page: about 20 questions on words, listening and short sentences place you on the new HSK 3.0 exam and the old HSK 2.0 in around 5 minutes. As a rough guide, the new exam's HSK 1 covers 300 words, HSK 3 covers 1,000 and HSK 6 covers 5,400.
How accurate is an online HSK level test?
It is an estimate, not a certificate. This test draws its questions from the official HSK word lists, adapts to your answers and tells you how sure it is, so it usually places you within one level. Only the official HSK exam, booked at chinesetest.cn, gives a score that schools and employers accept.
How hard is the HSK exam?
It depends on the level. On the new HSK 3.0, HSK 1 and 2 cover 300 and 500 words of everyday basics; HSK 3 and 4 cover 1,000 and 2,000 words and test real reading and listening; HSK 5 and 6 need 3,600 and 5,400 words at speed. On the current exam you pass with 60% of the total score.
At what HSK level are you fluent?
Most learners can hold everyday conversations around HSK 4 and talk about complex topics from HSK 5 or 6. Fluency also depends on speaking practice, which the main HSK exam does not test; the separate HSKK speaking exam does. Find your level here, then practice speaking at it, for example with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor.
Can I take the HSK test online or in the USA?
Yes. The official HSK runs at test centers in many countries, including the United States, and as an internet-based exam you can sit at home. Check dates, centers and fees at chinesetest.cn, and practice with the official mock tests at hskmock.com. The new HSK 3.0 is first sat worldwide on 13 December 2026.
Keep going
- HSK word lists: Every word for HSK 1 to 6, with pinyin and meanings.
- Chinese example sentences: See your new words in short everyday sentences.
- HSK lessons: Lessons for every level, HSK 1 to 6.
Words are half of it. Say them out loud with Mei Lin. Practice speaking at your level with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor. Start a free lesson.