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Level 2

HSK Test Guide

The HSK 2 assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level II of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF).

HSK 2 Achievement

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level II) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

HSK 2 Vocabulary

It’s required to master 300 commonly used words for HSK 2. You can communicate with Chinese people on daily routine matters with this essential vocabulary.

Access HSK 2 Vocabulary List

HSK 2 Grammar Points

  • 多(duō)
  • 都(dōu)
  • The Adverb 还(hái)
  • The Adverb 就(jiù)
  • 吧(ba)
  • 着(zhe)
  • The verb reduplication
  • The adjective reduplication
  • 从(cóng) and 离(lí)
  • 一点儿(yī diǎn er) VS有点儿(yǒu diǎn er)
  • 真(zhēn) and 很(hěn)
  • 过(guò) VS 了(le)
  • 别(bié) and 不要(bùyào)
  • 让(ràng)
  • The Comparative Sentence “比(bǐ)” Sentence
  • Yes-No Question & Affirmative-Negative Question
  • 要(yào)/快(kuài)/快要(kuàiyào)/就要(jiùyào)……了
  • The Progressive Tense Pattern 在(zài)/正在(zhèngzài)/正(zhèng)……呢(ne)
  • The Result Complement in Chinese: 结果补语
  • The Potential Complement in Chinese: 可能补语
  • The Degree Complement in Chinese: 程度补语
  • The Quantitative Complement in Chinese: 数量补语
  • The Simple Directional Complements in Chinese: 简单趋向补语
Learn more about HSK 2 grammar points

HSK 2 Corresponding Textbooks

HSK 2 Mock Papers

HSK 2 Video Course

HSK 2 Test Structure & Content

In the test paper, there are two sections in total, Listening comprehension and Reading comprehension. All items on HSK 2 test paper are shown in pinyin.

Section Number of Items

     i. Listening

(35 items / 25mins)

Part I 10
Part I: The recording of each item will be played twice. A sentence and a picture will be provided with each item. The test takers should make a true-or-false judgment based on what they hear.
Part II 10
Part II: The recording of each item will be played twice. For each item, a dialogue and several pictures will be provided. The test takers should select the appropriate answer based on what they hear.
Part III 10
Part III: The recording of each item will be played twice. Each item consists of a dialogue between two persons with a third person asking a question related to the content. There will be three possible answers on the test paper from which the test takers can select the correct one based on the passage.
Part IV 5
Part IV: The recording of each item will be played twice. Each item consists of a 4-5 sentence dialogue between two persons with a third person will asking a question at the end of the passage. There will be three possible answers on the test paper from which the test takers can select the correct one based on what they hear in the passage.
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)  (3 mins)

     ii. Reading

(25 items / 22mins)

Part I 5
Part I: Several pictures will be shown on the test paper. For each item, a sentence will be provided. The test taker should choose corresponding pictures based on the sentence.
Part II 5
Part II: For each item, one or two sentences will be provided in which one word is missing. The test taker should select one of the words in the answer section to fill in the blank.
Part III 5
Part III: For each item, two sentences will be provided. The test taker should judge whether or not the second sentence is consistent with the first one.
Part IV 10
Part IV: In this section, 20 sentences will be provided. The test taker will be asked to find the correlations between the sentences.
Total (50 Mins) / 60

*The test will last for a total of 55 minutes (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).

HSK 2 Results Certificate

Max Score Passing Score
Listening 100
Reading 100
Total 200 120

For the HSK (Level 2), three results will be provided including listening, reading and total. The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.

As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).

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