What HSK 5 tests
At HSK 5 the texts get longer and closer to real Chinese: news-style passages, opinion pieces and long conversations. Reading adds a part where you put sentences in order. You write a story of at least 100 characters from a set of pictures and an essay of at least 200 characters. In the speaking test you retell passages, tell a picture story, and give your opinion for two and a half minutes per question.
The HSK 5 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 Listening35 questions · 25 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen to the dialogue and choose the right answer.
Questions 1–19
- Part 2第二部分
Listen to the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 20–35
阅读 Reading35 questions · 35 min
- Part 1第一部分
Choose the word that fills the blank.
Questions 36–45
- Part 2第二部分
Put the sentences in the right order.
Questions 46–55
- Part 3第三部分
Read the passage and choose the right answer.
Questions 56–70
书写 Writing2 questions · 40 min
- Part 1第一部分
Write a short story from the pictures.
Question 71 · at least 100 characters
- Part 2第二部分
Write an essay on the topic.
Question 72 · at least 200 characters
口语 Speaking5 questions · 23 min
- Part 1第一部分
Listen, then retell what you heard.
Questions 73–74 · 1.5 minutes per answer
- Part 2第二部分
Look at the picture and talk about it.
Question 75 · 2 minutes to answer
- Part 3第三部分
Answer the question.
Questions 76–77 · 2.5 minutes per answer
The speaking test is separate from the written exam. It takes about 23 minutes, 10 of them for preparing.
Words
HSK 5 covers 3,600 words: the 2,000 from HSK 1 to 4 plus 1,600 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 5 needed 2,500 words, so the new list asks for 1,100 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 5 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 5
In reading Part 2 you put sentences in order. Find the opening sentence first, then follow the linking words, pronouns and time words.
Plan the picture story before you write: who, where, what happens, and how it ends. Give each picture at least one sentence.
In speaking, give each answer a clear opinion, two reasons or examples, and a short conclusion. Practise with a timer, because two and a half minutes is longer than it sounds.
With 3,600 words to know, learn new words in context. Read short articles at your level and note each new word along with its sentence.
Questions about HSK 5
How many words do you need for HSK 5?
HSK 5 covers 3,600 words: the 2,000 from HSK 1 to 4 plus 1,600 new ones. On the old HSK (HSK 2.0), level 5 needed 2,500 words, so the new list asks for 1,100 more.
How long is the HSK 5 exam?
The written exam has 72 questions and takes about 110 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 23 minutes, 10 of them for preparing.
Does HSK 5 have a speaking test?
Yes. The new HSK has a speaking test from HSK 3 up. At HSK 5 it has 5 questions in three parts and takes about 23 minutes. On the old HSK, speaking was a separate, optional exam called the HSKK.
What is the pass mark for HSK 5?
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 5, 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 5 mock exam?
HSK Dragon has a free HSK 5 mock exam on its website, with the audio, pinyin, transcripts and an answer key. The HSK Dragon Android app has 10 full HSK 5 mock exams that are timed and scored, with AI grading for speaking and writing, and the first one is free.