What HSK 4 tests
At HSK 4 you can talk about a wide range of everyday topics, from work and study to travel, health and your own opinions. The listening and reading passages are longer, and pictures no longer help you along. You write sentences about pictures and an essay of at least 80 characters. In the speaking test you retell what you heard and talk for two minutes at a time.
The HSK 4 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 Listening32 questions · 20 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen to the dialogue and choose the right answer.
Questions 1–14
- Part 2第二部分
Listen to the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 15–32
阅读 Reading32 questions · 30 min
- Part 1第一部分
Choose the word that fills the blank.
Questions 33–42
- Part 2第二部分
Read the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 43–57
- Part 3第三部分
Choose the sentence that fills each gap.
Questions 58–64
书写 Writing6 questions · 25 min
- Part 1第一部分
Write a sentence about the picture using the given word.
Questions 65–69
- Part 2第二部分
Write an essay on the topic.
Question 70 · at least 80 characters
口语 Speaking5 questions · 20 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen, then retell what you heard.
Questions 71–72 · 40 seconds per answer
- Part 2第二部分
Look at the picture and talk about it.
Question 73 · 2 minutes to answer
- Part 3第三部分
Answer the question.
Questions 74–75 · 2 minutes per answer
The speaking test is separate from the written exam. It takes about 20 minutes, 10 of them for preparing.
Words
HSK 4 covers 2,000 words: the 1,000 from HSK 1 to 3 plus 1,000 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 4 needed 1,200 words, so the new list asks for 800 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 4 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 4
The essay needs at least 80 characters. Practise writing against the clock, and use linking words like 因为…所以…, 虽然…但是… and 先…然后… so your ideas connect.
In speaking Part 1 you retell two short passages. Practise listening once, jotting down the key words, then retelling the story in your own words.
In reading Part 3 you choose the sentence that fills each gap in a passage. Read the sentences on both sides of the gap: linking words and pronouns usually give the answer away.
None of the 32 listening questions has a picture. Read the options before each recording starts, so you know what to listen for.
Questions about HSK 4
How many words do you need for HSK 4?
HSK 4 covers 2,000 words: the 1,000 from HSK 1 to 3 plus 1,000 new ones. On the old HSK (HSK 2.0), level 4 needed 1,200 words, so the new list asks for 800 more.
How long is the HSK 4 exam?
The written exam has 70 questions and takes about 85 minutes, including the time to fill in your details and the answer sheet. The speaking test is separate. It has 5 questions and takes about 20 minutes, 10 of them for preparing.
Does HSK 4 have a speaking test?
Yes. The new HSK has a speaking test from HSK 3 up. At HSK 4 it has 5 questions in three parts and takes about 20 minutes. On the old HSK, speaking was a separate, optional exam called the HSKK.
What is the pass mark for HSK 4?
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 4, 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 4 mock exam?
HSK Dragon has a free HSK 4 mock exam on its website, with the audio, pinyin, transcripts and an answer key. The HSK Dragon Android app has 10 full HSK 4 mock exams that are timed and scored, with AI grading for speaking and writing, and the first one is free.