The New HSK3.0: What’s Changed and how affect my Chinese study?

The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is an international standardized test of Chinese language ability. As of March 21, 2021, the Ministry of Education of China has released the most recent iteration of the HSK test standard, HSK 3.0 (HSK 2.0: 2009-2021; HSK 1.0: 1992-2009).

It will be implemented from July of 2021, and the new HSK 3.0 standard will replace the current HSK 2.0 levels of 1-6.

What are the specific changes in the new HSK 3.0 and how do they affect my Chinese study and test?

Overall, the new HSK 3.0 is more rigorous. It has a more specific classification system, and a comparably greater difficulty and number of words required for all four-dimensional benchmarks (syllables, characters, vocabulary and grammar). It includes 3 levels and 9 bands.

HSK level 1-6 changed in 3 levels and 9 bands

Yes, that's right, the level has increased!

Compared with the current HSK 2.0, what changes are there in the new HSK 3.0 and what do these changes mean?

1. Clearer positioning and higher requirements with new HSK quantitative criteria:

We can see that each level has 300 new Chinese characters. As characters can be combined into many more new words, the number of words in each new HSK 3.0 bands will vary.

It's like rolling a snowball. At band 1, there are 500 vocabulary words composed of 300 Chinese characters; while at band 2 of the new HSK criteria there are 600 Chinese characters that will be combined into 1272 vocabulary words.

Just first glance, you can see that a lot of words have been added for each level!

For elementary level

This means that levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be more difficult than before.  Current HSK 2.0 levels 1-3 will be regarded as band 1 in the new HSK 3.0 criteria; the current HSK 2.0 level 4 is now band 2 or the second elementary level; the current HSK 2.0 level 5 is now band 3, or the third elementary level.

For intermediate level

The current HSK 2.0 levels 5-6 have been divided into three bands, which means it will be clearer and more completable.

Previously, some students said that after they had passed the HSK 5 test the HSK 6 level seemed too long to attempt.  Now, however, the whole learning process will be more gradual.  This is indeed a huge improvement.

For advanced level

The new HSK 3.0 has an increased number of advanced levels, bands 7-9. For those who have passed the current HSK level 6 and have no goals, you can immediately focus on these new learning opportunities, such as becoming an advanced learner with a certificate.

2. You need to know how to handwrite characters in the new HSK 3.0

In the current HSK 2.0 test, if it you choose the internet-based test, you are not required to handwrite Chinese characters, In the level 1 and level 2 exams, reading Chinese characters is not required.

However, unlike as represented in the current HSK 2.0, learners should learn to write characters from the beginning, and be able to master the stroke order, writing rules and punctuation rules of characters. Basic Chinese writing skills are also required.

In addition to character writing accuracy, each band also requires a minimum writing speed.

3. From Band 4 HSK3.0, you will be required to have basic translation ability for both spoken and written Chinese.

The good news is the new HSK 3.0 will align with other international guidelines, such as CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

Is my level going down? Do you think the difficulty of learning has increased a lot?

In fact, it is not. This is just a change in academic standards, and your Chinese level is not regressing. While the overall Chinese learning process and standards for learning Chinese have become more challenging, with each band needing more vocabulary, grammatical concepts and regular content, it’s actually more closely aligned to our real life, and helps you set up more realistic Chinese learning goals and plans.  More importantly, using modern learning materials, the learning process will become more interesting and practical.

When will the new exam come out?

There is no official notice about the time of the new test.

You can still register for the current HSK test at www.chinesetest.cn.

This is test dates in 2021.

Check out How to Register HSK Test?

Are there new textbooks and exercises or learning materials?

There are no officially published textbooks and exercise books for new HSK 3.0 yet.

Here at Chinese Surfing, we are currently upgrading our curriculum to meet the new standards, and this will better help us improve and implement our HSK learning program.

LIVE BROADCAST ABOUT HSK3.0

On 20:00-21:00, April 29th, we will have a live broadcast, about the new HSK 3.0, and anything you want to know about it and Chinese learning. Any questions are welcome!

Of interest in this live broadcast（Multiple choice）:

To Be Continued…

We will keep updating the specific requirements and changes for each band in the new HSK 3.0.

Make sure you subscribe to us and stay tuned!

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