The HSK and the HSKK are two separate Chinese exams. The HSK measures reading, listening and (from level 3) writing. The HSKK measures only spoken Chinese. Passing one says nothing about the other, but from HSK level 3 upwards the two are usually booked together. Below we explain how they differ, how the levels line up, what the scores mean and how to prepare, so you can choose the right combination for study, work or travel.
TL;DR
- The HSK is the written-skills test (listening, reading, and writing from level 3). The HSKK is the speaking test, recorded as audio.
- They are scored independently. You can pass the HSK and still fail the HSKK, and the reverse.
- Pairings: HSK 3 with HSKK Basic, HSK 4 with HSKK Intermediate, HSK 5 and 6 with HSKK Advanced. HSK 1 and 2 can be taken without a speaking test.
- HSK 3.0 is due to be implemented worldwide from 13 December 2026, so check the current structure before you register.
- A tutor who drills speaking aloud is the quickest way to close the gap that the HSKK exposes.
Table of Contents
- HSK and HSKK at a glance
- What the HSK actually tests
- What the HSKK actually tests
- Which HSKK level goes with which HSK level
- Scoring and passing marks
- How long each exam takes
- What is changing with HSK 3.0
- Results, registration and US rules
- Which exam do you need?
- How to prepare for the HSKK
- Our perspective
- Find a Chinese tutor for your HSK and HSKK goals
- FAQ
- Sources
HSK and HSKK at a glance
The quickest way to see the difference is side by side.
| HSK | HSKK | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Reading, listening and writing | Spoken Chinese: pronunciation, fluency, expressing ideas aloud |
| Levels | Six written levels (HSK 1 to 6) under the current format | Three: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Total points | 200 (levels 1 and 2) or 300 (levels 3 to 6) | 100 |
| Passing score | 120 (levels 1 and 2), 180 (levels 3 to 6) | 60 |
| Format | Written assignments, in paper or internet-based form | Audio recording of your answers |
| Typical length | 40 minutes (level 1) to 140 minutes (level 6) | About 17, 21 or 25 minutes |
The skill split comes from the Confucius Institute at Tashkent, which describes the HSK as written assignments and the HSKK as oral speech. The levels, points and passing marks are from the official HSK test bulletin. The durations are published by the University of Manchester Confucius Institute.
What the HSK actually tests
The HSK is China's official standardised Chinese proficiency test for non-native speakers. According to the Center for Asian Studies at MTSU, it is administered at more than 1,147 centres in 137 countries and regions.
In practice that means three skills:
- Listening: you hear short dialogues or passages and answer questions.
- Reading: you read characters and choose or complete answers.
- Writing: this section is added from level 3. At levels 1 and 2, the test has listening and reading only.
Two details trip up new candidates. First, the HSK is administered in Mandarin and simplified characters. If you sit a paper-based test, you may choose simplified or traditional characters for the writing tasks, as the general reference on the test explains. Second, from HSK 3 onwards, questions are presented only in Chinese characters, according to the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics test page. Pinyin will not rescue you at that stage, so character recognition has to be solid.
The same page gives the official correspondence with the European framework: HSK 3 is B1, HSK 4 is B2, HSK 5 is C1 and HSK 6 is C2. That is the answer to the common question about whether HSK 3 equals B1. Under the current structure, HSK 6 is the top level, although HSK 7 to 9 are part of the newer framework described later.
What the HSKK actually tests
The HSKK assesses oral Chinese. It has primary (Basic), intermediate and advanced levels, and the answers are captured as an audio recording, per the MTSU testing page. You are not writing anything down to show what you know. You have to produce Chinese out loud, on the spot, with a clock running.
That is why so many learners find it harder than their written score suggests. A learner can recognise hundreds of characters and still stall when asked to answer a question in full sentences. Pronunciation, tones, fluency and the ability to organise a thought all count.
Take the Basic level as an example. A guide from the Confucius Institute Groningen describes 27 items in three sections: 15 sentences to repeat, 10 listening-and-answering questions, and 2 questions to answer aloud. The test lasts about 17 minutes, including 7 minutes of preparation time. In the first section, scoring weights accuracy at 60%, pronunciation and intonation at 30% and speed at 10%.
The Confucius Institute at Tashkent adds a practical reason to care. It notes that many Chinese universities now ask for an HSKK certificate alongside the written HSK for admission, and that a pass can support scholarship applications, employment in international companies and confirmation of oral ability.
Which HSKK level goes with which HSK level
From January 2022, candidates sitting HSK levels 3, 4, 5 or 6 are required to take the matching HSKK at the same time, according to the Confucius Institute in Ljubljana. The standard pairings are:
| If you take | You pair it with |
|---|---|
| HSK 1 or HSK 2 | No speaking test required (HSKK Basic is available separately) |
| HSK 3 | HSKK Basic |
| HSK 4 | HSKK Intermediate |
| HSK 5 | HSKK Advanced |
| HSK 6 | HSKK Advanced |
The same source notes that in the United States, under the policy of Chinese Testing International, the online-at-home edition combines the written HSK and the oral HSKK in a single test with these same pairings. HSK levels 1 and 2 can be completed as standalone tests without an oral component.
You may also see tables that line the HSKK up with the HSK in bands. The Confucius Institute for Scotland shows HSKK Basic corresponding to HSK 1 and 2, Intermediate to HSK 3 and 4, and Advanced to HSK 5 and 6. Both views are useful. The band table tells you the general ability each speaking level reflects. The pairing table tells you what a testing centre will ask you to register for. When in doubt, follow the registration rules of your own centre.
Do the two scores affect each other?
No. Candidates for levels 3 to 6 register for the speaking exam at the same time, but the written and speaking parts are assessed independently and the scores are not combined, as the Athens University of Economics and Business Confucius Institute explains. A weak speaking result does not lower your written score, and a strong written score does not lift your speaking mark.
That independence is the heart of the HSK vs HSKK question. They are two certificates describing two different abilities, and many learners find their profile is lopsided. Strong readers who have learned mostly from apps and textbooks often discover that speaking is their weakest area.
Scoring and passing marks
The numbers are straightforward once you know the structure. Per the HSK bulletin:
- HSK levels 1 and 2: 200 points (100 listening and 100 reading), pass mark 120.
- HSK levels 3 to 6: 300 points (100 listening, 100 reading and 100 writing), pass mark 180.
- All three HSKK levels: 100 points, pass mark 60.
So you need 60% in every case. Because the HSK adds the sections together, a very strong section can compensate for a weaker one. The HSKK is a single oral score out of 100, so there is nowhere to hide: every answer counts towards the same total.
How long each exam takes
The HSK runs from 40 minutes at level 1 to 140 minutes at level 6. The HSKK is much shorter: roughly 17 minutes at Basic, 21 at Intermediate and 25 at Advanced, according to the Manchester Confucius Institute. Short does not mean easy. The pace is quick, the preparation windows are brief and there is no chance to restart an answer.
What is changing with HSK 3.0
If you are reading this in late 2026, the biggest practical point is timing. Chinese Testing International has announced that HSK 3.0 will be officially implemented worldwide from 13 December 2026. The Athens University of Economics and Business Confucius Institute describes it as a framework of three stages and nine levels: elementary (HSK 1 to 3), intermediate (HSK 4 to 6) and advanced (HSK 7 to 9).
What this means for you:
- If you plan to sit an exam before that date, check with your testing centre which format it still offers.
- If you plan to sit after it, expect the new structure and study with the new vocabulary and grammar requirements in mind.
- The speaking component stays separate. Under the new structure, candidates taking levels 3 to 6 register for the corresponding speaking exam at the same time, and the two parts are still assessed independently.
Check the official Chinese Testing International pages and your local centre for the current level names, pairings and schedule before you book, since details can shift as the new system rolls out.
Results, registration and US rules
Results arrive on different timelines. For internet-based HSK tests, results are published two weeks after the exam date. HSK speaking results come three weeks after, and printed score reports reach the test centre roughly two months later, according to Goldsmiths Confucius Institute. If you have a deadline for a university or job application, build that gap in.
For US test takers, Pacific Lutheran University's Language Resource Center hosts both on-site and virtual at-home testing. You must be in the United States as a resident or a registered international student at an American educational institution at the time of the exam. Registration runs through an account at chinesetest.cn. The same centre lists start times: HSK levels 2, 4 and 6 at 9:00 AM, levels 1, 3 and 5 at 1:30 PM, and the HSKK Entry, Intermediate and Advanced levels at 3:40 PM, 11:25 AM and 4:30 PM respectively. These slots can change, so confirm them on the centre's page when you register.
One more point on validity. HSK certificates are valid for life, but if you are applying to a Chinese college or university, the exam report is valid for two years, per the MTSU Center for Asian Studies. Time your exam close to your application.
Which exam do you need?
A simple way to decide:
- Travel and everyday conversation: you may not need a certificate. If you want a benchmark, HSK 1 or 2, with or without HSKK Basic, gives a clear goal.
- University study in China or scholarships: plan for the written HSK at the level your programme asks for, plus the matching HSKK. Confirm requirements with each university.
- Work with Chinese-speaking colleagues or clients: the HSKK is a recognised way to confirm that your spoken Chinese holds up, alongside a written HSK.
- General self-assessment: the HSK levels map neatly to CEFR bands, so pick the level that matches where you are now and aim one step higher.
How to prepare for the HSKK
The written HSK rewards steady study of vocabulary, characters and listening. The HSKK rewards speaking practice, and no amount of silent reading replaces it. A few habits help:
- Practise repetition aloud. Basic level begins with sentence repetition, and accuracy carries 60% of the score for that section. Copy rhythm, tones and word order exactly.
- Record yourself. Play it back and listen for tone errors and long pauses. The exam is an audio recording, so rehearse in the same format.
- Use the preparation time well. In the written-prompt tasks, jot the key words you want to use, then speak in complete sentences.
- Train on timed questions. Answer within a set window, then repeat with the same question and improve it.
- Get feedback from a person. Tone mistakes are hard to hear in your own voice. A tutor can catch them early, before they become habits.
If you are weighing up how much support to add, our guide on whether tutoring helps HSK test takers looks at the question for learners preparing for the exam.
Our perspective
We see the same pattern again and again with learners preparing for Chinese exams: reading and listening progress through steady study, while speaking lags until someone sits down and talks with them. The HSKK exists because speaking is a separate skill, and it deserves separate preparation.
That is where one-to-one tuition makes a difference. A tutor can hear your tones, correct them in the moment and build the habit of answering aloud in full sentences. Lessons can be shaped to your level, whether you are aiming for HSK 3 with HSKK Basic or working towards Advanced, and they can follow your own schedule, locally or online.
We built TUTOROO to make those connections simple: a wide network of language tutors, direct messaging so you can discuss your exam goals before lessons begin, and the freedom to choose the tutor whose style suits you. Learning Chinese opens doors to culture, connection and opportunity, and speaking it with confidence is where much of that begins.
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Find a Chinese tutor for your HSK and HSKK goals
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FAQ
Can I pass the HSK and fail the HSKK?
Yes. The two exams are separate and scored independently, so a result in one does not change the other. A strong written score says nothing about your speaking, which is why many learners practise the HSKK on its own.
Do I have to take the HSKK with the HSK?
From HSK level 3 upwards, candidates are asked to register for the matching HSKK at the same time, while HSK 1 and 2 can be taken alone. Your testing centre sets the booking details, so confirm them when you register.
How long do HSK and HSKK results take?
For internet-based tests, HSK results are published about two weeks after the exam and HSKK results about three weeks after. Printed score reports reach the test centre around two months later, so plan ahead for application deadlines.
What should parents look for in a French tutor for kids?
Look for a tutor who keeps lessons one-to-one, adapts the pace to your child's age and level, and uses conversation, games and short activities rather than long drills. Read the tutor's profile, message them about your child's goals and agree on a lesson schedule that fits your family. On TUTOROO you can browse French tutors online and talk to a tutor directly first.
Sources
- HSK Test at the Center for Asian Studies, MTSU
- HSKK & YCT Exams, Confucius Institute Tashkent
- Bulletin of HSK Test, official test manual
- HSK (Chinese proficiency test), Confucius Institute at the University of Manchester
- Your Step-by-Step Guide to HSKK Primary Success, Confucius Institute Groningen
- HSK/HSKK exam, Confucius Institute Ljubljana
- HSKK Levels, Confucius Institute for Scotland
- Chinese Language Proficiency Tests HSK/HSKK, Confucius Institute AUEB
- HSK test, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Chinese Proficiency Test overview
- HSK and HSK Speaking Test courses and examinations, Goldsmiths Confucius Institute
- HSK (Chinese Language) Testing, LRC, Pacific Lutheran University