HSK 3.0 Level 3: exam and preparation guide
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 · Checked against the official sample paper
Exam structure
| Section | Items | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 | ~23 min | Short dialogues and passages |
| Reading | 30 | 30 min | Passages, gap-fill and matching |
| Writing | 10 | 20 min | Sentence and short-text tasks |
Structure from the official HSK 3.0 sample paper. Times are the paper's own estimates and exclude personal-information time.
What changes at this level
Level 3 adds 500 words and is where passages get noticeably longer and reading volume increases. Writing already starts at level 2 under 3.0; level 3 extends it to sentence and short-text tasks. The official 3.0 speaking test also starts here, as a separate exam.
Vocabulary
The 500 new words are on the level 3 vocabulary list, with pinyin and part of speech. For the full cumulative picture, see the HSK 3.0 hub.
Practice availability
The HSK 3.0 level 3 question bank is in production. Practice for the current exam format remains available while the 3.0 bank is built.
Frequently asked questions
How many words does HSK 3.0 level 3 require?
Level 3 adds 500 new words for a cumulative total of 1,000.
When does HSK 3.0 level 3 start?
HSK 3.0 exams for levels 1–6 open worldwide on 13 December 2026. Before that date, regular sittings use the current format.
Is there a speaking test at level 3?
Yes. The official 3.0 package includes a separate speaking test from level 3 upward; it is not part of the written paper.