HSK 3.0 Level 4: exam and preparation guide
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 · Checked against the official sample paper
Exam structure
| Section | Items | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 32 | ~20 min | Dialogues and short passages |
| Reading | 32 | 30 min | Passages and gap-fill |
| Writing | 6 | not separately timed | Picture-prompt sentence writing |
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 4 doubles the cumulative vocabulary of level 3 and is the level most universities ask for. Reading passages carry more inference, and the writing section asks you to produce sentences from picture prompts.
Vocabulary
The 1,000 new words are on the level 4 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 4 question bank is planned after levels 1–3. Vocabulary and structure guides are available now.
Frequently asked questions
How many words does HSK 3.0 level 4 require?
Level 4 adds 1,000 new words for a cumulative total of 2,000.
When does HSK 3.0 level 4 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 4?
Yes. The official 3.0 package includes a separate speaking test from level 3 upward; it is not part of the written paper.