What HSK 3 tests
HSK 3 is where you start using Chinese rather than just recognising it. You follow everyday conversations and short talks, and you write characters and short sentences yourself. In the speaking test you repeat sentences, say what's happening in pictures, and answer two open questions about your own life.
The HSK 3 exam, part by part
These are the parts of the official exam, with their question numbers. Every mock exam in HSK Dragon uses the same layout.
听力 Listening30 questions · 23 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen to each recording and match it to a picture.
Questions 1–10
- Part 2第二部分
Listen to the dialogue and choose the right answer.
Questions 11–20
- Part 3第三部分
Listen to the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 21–30
阅读 Reading30 questions · 30 min
- Part 1第一部分
Match each sentence to the reply that fits.
Questions 31–40
- Part 2第二部分
Choose the word that fills the blank.
Questions 41–50
- Part 3第三部分
Read the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 51–60
书写 Writing10 questions · 20 min
- Part 1第一部分
Write the character the pinyin stands for.
Questions 61–65
- Part 2第二部分
Write a sentence about the picture using the given word.
Questions 66–70
口语 Speaking15 questions · 15 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen, then repeat the sentence.
Questions 71–78 · 10 seconds per answer
- Part 2第二部分
Look at the picture and talk about it.
Questions 79–83 · 15 seconds per answer
- Part 3第三部分
Answer the question.
Questions 84–85 · 1.5 minutes per answer
The speaking test is separate from the written exam. It takes about 15 minutes, 6 of them for preparing.
Words
HSK 3 covers 1,000 words: the 500 from HSK 1 and 2 plus 500 new ones. The exam can use any word from the levels below, so keep reviewing them while you learn the new ones.
On the old HSK (HSK 2.0), level 3 needed 600 words, so the new list asks for 400 more. Older word lists are still around online, so make sure yours is the new one.
Scoring
The official pass marks for the new HSK 1 to 6 haven't been published yet. On the old HSK, each section was scored out of 100 and you needed 60% of the total to pass.
HSK Dragon's mock exams use the same line. At HSK 3 that means 180 out of 300 from listening, reading and writing. Speaking is scored on its own, out of 100, and you need 60 to pass it.
How to prepare for HSK 3
In speaking Part 1 you repeat 8 sentences, with 10 seconds for each. Practise shadowing: play a sentence, pause, and say it back with the same tones.
Speaking Part 3 asks open questions, like introducing someone in your family, and you get 1.5 minutes for each answer. Have a few things ready to say about yourself, your family, your work or studies, and your hobbies.
In writing Part 2 you get a picture and a word to use. Practise short, correct sentences that use the word and describe the picture.
Writing Part 1 asks you to write characters from their pinyin, so keep writing the HSK 1 to 3 words by hand.
Questions about HSK 3
How many words do you need for HSK 3?
HSK 3 covers 1,000 words: the 500 from HSK 1 and 2 plus 500 new ones. On the old HSK (HSK 2.0), level 3 needed 600 words, so the new list asks for 400 more.
How long is the HSK 3 exam?
The written exam has 70 questions and takes about 83 minutes, including the time to fill in your details and the answer sheet. The speaking test is separate. It has 15 questions and takes about 15 minutes, 6 of them for preparing.
Does HSK 3 have a speaking test?
Yes. The new HSK has a speaking test from HSK 3 up. At HSK 3 it has 15 questions in three parts and takes about 15 minutes. On the old HSK, speaking was a separate, optional exam called the HSKK.
What is the pass mark for HSK 3?
The official pass marks for the new HSK 1 to 6 haven't been published yet. On the old HSK you needed 60% of the total to pass. HSK Dragon's mock exams use the same line: 180 out of 300 at HSK 3, from listening, reading and writing, with speaking scored on its own out of 100 and 60 to pass.
Should I prepare for the old HSK or the new HSK 3.0?
It depends on when you take the exam. The new HSK (HSK 3.0) starts worldwide on 13 December 2026, and every sitting before that date uses the old six-level HSK. If your exam is on or after 13 December 2026, prepare for the new format, which is the one HSK Dragon follows. Your test centre's listing shows which version each date uses.
Where can I take a free HSK 3 mock exam?
HSK Dragon has a free HSK 3 mock exam on its website, with the audio, pinyin, transcripts and an answer key. The HSK Dragon Android app has 10 full HSK 3 mock exams that are timed and scored, with AI grading for speaking and writing, and the first one is free.