HSK 漢語水平考試

HSK 3: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR level

Cope with everyday life, study and work basics; give simple descriptions and opinions in speech and writing.

The short answer

HSK 3 is an elementary level in the nine-level HSK 3.0 standard. This page shows its vocabulary and character targets, test format, pass mark, estimated study hours and approximate CEFR equivalent.

1000Words

655Characters to read

250Characters to write

98Minutes

CEFR (approx.)

A2–B1 (may be lower in practice)

How official is that?

approximate (no official mapping; disputed)

Old HSK 2021 word count

2245

Sections

Written exam (about 70 items, about 83 min) plus separate HSK 3 speaking test (about 15 min incl. preparation)

Notes

HSK 3.0, 2025 syllabus (effective Jul 2026; exams from 13 Dec 2026). Cumulative counts. Character count = characters to recognise; writing list separate.

Kungfucius says: The first level with a speaking test. The microphone can smell fear.

How it compares

HSK 3 ≈ CEFR A2approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.

HSK 3 ≈ CEFR B1approximate (no official mapping; disputed)CTI has published no official CEFR mapping for HSK 3.0; this is an approximate match based on HSK 3.0 cumulative vocabulary (2025 syllabus) and can-do descriptors compared with CEFR descriptors. The German Fachverband Chinesisch argued (about HSK 2.0) that HSK levels sit lower on the CEFR than CTI implied, so treat any mapping with care.

Keep reading

/tests/hsk/level-2//tests/hsk/level-4//tests/hsk/study-plan//tests/hsk-to-cefr/