The HSK (Level III) 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). 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.

I. Test Target

The HSK (Level III) is intended for students who have studied Chinese for three semesters (one and a half academic years), with 2-3 class hours in each week. These students have mastered 600 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.

II. Test Content

The HSK (Level III) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing sections and contains a total of 80 items.

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

1. Listening Comprehension

• There are 10 items in 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.
• There are 10 items in 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.
• There are 10 items in 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.
• There are 10 items in 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.

2. Reading Comprehension

• There are 10 items in Part I. In this section, 20 sentences will be provided and the test taker will be asked to correlate them.
• There are 10 items in 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.
• There are 10 items in 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.

3. Writing

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

III. Results Certificate

For the HSK (Level III), four results will be provided including listening, reading, writing and the total. The test taker must score at least 180 points 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).