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Level 3

HSK Test Guide

The HSK 3 assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level III of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the B1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF).

HSK 3 Achievement

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level III) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily, academic and professional lives. They can manage most communication in Chinese when travelling in China.

HSK 3 Vocabulary

It’s required to master 600 commonly used words for HSK 3. You can travel, study, and work in China at a basic level with this essential vocabulary.

Access HSK 3 Vocabulary List

HSK 3 Grammar Points

  • 应该(yīnggāi)
  • The Separable Words 离合词
  • The Extended Usages of Interrogative Pronouns
  • 一下(yīxià) vs 一会儿(yīhuǐ’er)
  • 才(cái)
  • 才(cái ) vs 就(jiù)
  • 还是(háishì) vs 或者(huòzhě)
  • 的(de) vs 得(de) vs 地(de)
  • 又(yòu) vs 再(zài) vs 还(hái)
  • Except or Besides – 除了(chúle)
  • The Dynamic Auxiliary Word 着(zhe)
  • 把 Sentence (Part 1)
  • 把 Sentence (Part 2)
  • The Passive Sentence with 被(bèi)
  • 跟…一样(gēn…yīyàng) vs 像…一样(xiàng…yīyàng)
  • ‘more and more’ in Chinese – 越(yuè)…越(yuè)…
  • Rhetorical Sentence – 反问句
  • Directional Complements
  • 一(yī) …就(jiù)…
  • 不但(bùdàn)…而且(érqiě)…
  • 就是(jiùshì)
  • 如果(rúguǒ)…就(jiù)…
  • 只有(zhǐyǒu)…才(cái)…
  • 一…也都(yī…yě dū ) + 不没(bùméi)…
  • 又(yòu)…又(yòu)…
  • 一边(yībiān)…一边(yībiān)
Learn more about HSK 3 grammar points

HSK 3 Corresponding Textbooks

HSK 3 Mock Papers

HSK 3 Video Course

HSK 3 One-stop Course

HSK 3 Test Structure & Content

In the test paper, there are three sections in total, Listening comprehension, Reading comprehension, and Wring.

 

Section Number of Items

     i. Listening

(40 items / 35mins)

Part I 10
Part I: 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 corresponding pictures based on what they hear.
Part II 10
Part II: The recording of each item will be played twice. For each item, a short passage will be read out, followed by an assertion, which also appears on the paper. The test taker should decide whether the assertion made is true or false.
Part III 10
Part III: The recording of each item will be played twice. Each item consists of a dialogue between two persons. A third person will then ask a question about the dialogue. There will be three possible answers on the test paper, from which the test takers can select the best answer based on what they hear.
Part IV 10
Part IV: The recording of each item will be played twice. Each item consists of a 4-5 sentence dialogue between two persons. A third person will then ask a question based on the dialogue. There will be three possible answers on the test paper, from which the test takers can choose best answer based on what they hear.
Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet) (5 mins)

     ii.  Reading

(30 items / 30 mins)

Part I 10
Part I: In this section, 20 sentences will be provided and the test taker will be asked to correlate them.
Part II 10
Part II:  For each item, one or two sentences will be provided, in which one word/phrase is missing. The test taker should choose one of the suggested words/phrases to fill in the blank.
Part III 10
Part III: This part consists of 10 short passages, each followed by a question. The test taker should choose the best answer from the 3 choices provided.

     iii.  Writing

(10 items / 15 mins)

Part I 5
Part I: Each item lists several words. The test taker should construct a sentence using the words provided.
Part II 5
Part II: Each item provides a sentence with several blanks. The test taker should fill in the blanks with the appropriate characters.

Total (85 Mins)

/ 80

* The test will last for 90 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).

HSK 3 Results Certificate

Max Score
Listening 100
Reading 100
Writing 100
Total 300

For the HSK (Level III), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total. The test taker must score over 60% 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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