Nine levels, bigger word lists, a new exam from 13 December 2026. Here is what changes, which version to study, and the free tools on HanziBook for each level.
汉语水平考试 (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì)
HSK 3.0 · 13 December 2026
Until the end of November 2026 test centres still run levels 1–6 in the old format. Registration deadlines are set per sitting - check chinesetest.cn or your test centre before you book.
Word counts from the HSK 3.0 lists on HanziBook. “New” is what each level adds; “in total” is everything up to and including it.
Most words carry over: the new lists contain nearly all of the old ones, just spread differently across the levels.
On HanziBook you can switch between the two at any time on Test prep, Review, Word lessons and Progress - your progress on shared words is kept.
Pick a pace. The table counts new words only - reviews take extra time, and the Review queue spaces them out for you.
10 words a day
Practice tests and review need a free account.
Every level as a spreadsheet (CSV) or an Anki import, in your language. Free, no account needed.
hsk30-all-en.csv · hsk30-all-en.anki.txt
The first worldwide sitting of the new exam is on 13 December 2026. Pilot sittings were held earlier in 2026, and until the end of November test centres run levels 1–6 in the old format.
About 300 according to the syllabus. Our level 1 list has 294 entries - see the next question for why.
The syllabus gives round targets - about 300 words by level 1, 500 by level 2 and so on. Our lists are built from a public open-source copy of the syllabus that keeps one entry per written word, with one level each. When the syllabus lists the same characters more than once (for a second reading or meaning) or gives an alternative form, the word appears here only once, at its first level. So our level 1 has 294 entries, and all nine levels together have 10,057 rather than about 11,000. No words were dropped on purpose; if you notice one missing, please tell us.
Yes, results you already hold are not cancelled. Score reports are usually treated as current for two years, and each university or employer decides what it accepts - ask them if in doubt.
If you will sit the exam from December 2026 on, or you are just starting, study HSK 3.0. Stay with 2.0 only if you are booked on an old-format sitting or a school asks for it.
Yes, Chinese Testing International published official mock papers for the new levels in January 2026, reachable from chinesetest.cn. HanziBook's practice tests check vocabulary per level and are not an official mock.
HanziBook is not affiliated with Chinese Testing International. Dates and formats are from CTI announcements as reported in 2026; always confirm with chinesetest.cn or your test centre.
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