It’s finally official! The new HSK 3.0 is now underway, and – be warned – with it come major changes. In this article, we compare all the new features with HSK 2.0 and the 2021 release of HSK 3.0.

At the end of last year, during the annual Global HSK Partners Conference held in Beijing, a new official HSK vocabulary list was announced, including many updates to the 2021 list. Here’s one of the biggest changes (and most eagerly anticipated by many students):

 

Fewer words per level (especially in HSK1 and HSK2)

One of the most celebrated updates in the new HSK 3.0 (2026) is the reduced number of words to learn per level. Here’s a snapshot of how things currently stand*:

*The number of words per level is cumulative. This means that, as you progress through the levels, the words you’ve studied in previous levels are added together to make a combined total. For example, for level 3 of the new HSK 3.0 (2026) you need to know 1,000 words, but you will have already learned 500 of these in HSK 1 and 2. So, there are actually only 500 new words for this level.

This adjustment reflects a more realistic progression in your learning, fostering a more gradual approach and a greater focus on practical use of the language.

Another super handy update is the addition of current, everyday vocabulary from China, such as:

• 扫码 [sǎomǎ]: scan QR 
• 豆浆 [dòujiāng]: soy milk
• 充值 [chōngzhí]: top up
• 电商 [diànshāng]: e-commerce 
• 民俗 [mínsú]: B&B

📥 Download the new HSK 3.0 vocabulary list at the following link.

 

HSK 3.0 (2026) structure

The new HSK 3.0 follows the same nine levels:

• Levels 1 to 6: each level comes with its own specific exam
• Levels 7 to 9: a single advanced exam to cover all three levels

In this advanced exam, your final score determines whether you will be awarded the HSK 7, 8, or 9 certificate. This helps examiners more accurately gauge a student’s actual level at these advanced stages.

 

The oral exam is now mandatory

One of the most significant changes is that the HSK oral exam is now mandatory. Until now the oral exam (HSKK) has always been optional, although, over the past two years, some test centers have made it a requirement for candidates  taking the HSK 3 exam or higher. Likewise, until now, the HSKK was split into three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. However, in the new HSK 3.0, each level from HSK3 onward now comes with its own mandatory oral exam.

This highlights how the HSK no longer simply assesses how much vocabulary you know, but whether you can actively use Chinese, especially spoken language.

The main difference between the old HSKK and the new oral section is that instead of answering questions in the second part of the basic level, you must instead describe two images.

📥 In this document, you will find an official sample of the oral exam for each level.

 

How much have the exams changed since HSK 2.0?

HSK 3.0 follows the same structure: listening (听力), reading (阅读), and writing (书写) (as well as the oral section 口语 from HSK3 onward). However, the new HSK places greater emphasis on:

• Progressive grammar by level
• Contextual use of vocabulary
• Writing skills, especially from intermediate levels onward

This is reflected in some new exercises, such as spotting a missing component in a character at HSK2 level; creating sentences using images and words at HSK3 level; and writing texts at the HSK4 level.

The goal is for students to not only recognize words but also to know how to use them to produce proper sentences. There is now one set of characters that candidates must recognize (认读字) and another that they must be able to write (书写字) for each level.

📥 See this list here.

No major changes have been made to the listening section, at least not in the exercises for earlier levels. However, there have been some exercise updates from HSK4 onward.

📥 Here you can find official sample exams for each level.

 

New books and official materials

It has also been confirmed that new textbooks and workbooks specifically designed for HSK 3.0 will shortly be released.

They will first be launched in mainland China, and are expected to hit the international market throughout the year.

One very interesting detail is that the dialogue and readings will now follow recurring characters, rather than being standalone stories. They will also cover current topics. This helps improve the learning experience, making it more consistent and closer to real life.

You can access a preview of the new HSK1 book at this link: Preview of 新HSK教程

At Khanji School we’re already working as quickly as possible to bring you both the new HSK 3.0 word list and new study materials in our Chinesimple app. Very soon we’ll also be adding the new HSK1 3.0 2026 course.

📱 Download the app to stay up to date and be the first to get your hands on this new material!

 

First pilot test on January 31st, 2026

During the conference, it was announced that a global pilot exam will be held on January 31st to prepare both institutions and students for the final implementation of the new system. Candidates will be able to  take exam levels 1 to 6 in more than 168 countries. 

📍 You can check if your country is on the list and register on the official website: https://www.chinesetest.cn/


 

FAQ

Will the old HSK still be valid?

For now, yes. There will be a transition period between the two systems. The new HSK 3.0 is expected to come into effect in the second half of 2026, but no exam dates have been confirmed beyond the pilot test. We will keep you posted in the Chinesimple app and on our blog.

I want to start studying Chinese; should I go straight to the new HSK 3.0?

Yes. The new exam is expected to be implemented in the second half of 2026, so if you’re going to start studying Chinese now, it’s best to start preparing for the new exam from the get-go.

And what should I do until the new official HSK 3.0 books come out?

At Khanji School, we’re already working to update the 2021 HSK 3.0 vocabulary in the Chinesimple app so that it matches the recently published list. So, very soon, you’ll be able to use this and many other up-to-date materials to start preparing for the official exam.

Where can I find the vocabulary, structure, grammar, and sample exams?

Here are all the documents you need:

• 📥 New HSK 3.0 (2026) Vocabulary, Characters and Grammar
• 📥 New HSK 3.0 (2026) Test Samples
• 📥 New HSK 3.0 (2026) Oral Test Samples

I was preparing to take the HSK 2.0 exam; should I switch to 3.0 instead?

If you were planning to take the exam this year either way, you can still take the HSK 2.0. If you’re not in a rush, you can choose whether to continue with HSK 2.0 and take the exam this year (preferably before July 2026), or start preparing for the new HSK 3.0.