HSK 2.0 × HSK 3.0
Level Converter & Comparison Tool
How do the old 6 levels map to the new "3 tiers, 9 levels"? How far apart are vocabulary, character counts, CEFR, and real-world proficiency? Pick your level and find out.
What level are you under the other standard?
Choose a direction and the level you know; the corresponding range and key figures appear instantly.
Two ladders — click to align them
Bar lengths are drawn to a log scale of cumulative vocabulary, so you can see the difference in "weight" between the two standards at a glance.
Same level name, but the new standard demands far more
Every level under the new standard carries a noticeably larger cumulative vocabulary than its old counterpart, and levels 7–9 have been added above the old ceiling of Level 6.
Key Indicators for Old and New HSK Levels
New-standard figures are taken from the quantitative indicators table of International Chinese Education Standard for Chinese Language Proficiency (GF 0025—2021) and are cumulative up to the given level. Old figures are cumulative vocabulary from the 2010 exam syllabus.
Four Key Changes in HSK 3.0 vs the Old Version
6 levels expanded to 3 tiers, 9 levels
Basic (1–3), Intermediate (4–6), and Advanced (7–9) provide finer grading; advanced learners are no longer "capped at Level 6."
Levels 7–9 are a single combined exam
The Advanced tier does not hold separate Level 7, 8, and 9 tests. Candidates take one exam, and results are reported as Level 7, 8, or 9 based on score.
"Translation" formally enters the standard
The new standard assesses five skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation. Translation ability is required from Intermediate onward, while the Advanced tier demands consecutive and even simultaneous interpretation.
Vocabulary doubled, content updated
The top-end word list grows from 5,000 to 11,092 and includes modern-day terms such as high-speed rail, QR code payment, food delivery, livestreaming, and artificial intelligence.
From HSK 2.0 to HSK 3.0
The current HSK (commonly called HSK 2.0) is launched
Six written levels plus a separate HSKK oral test, covering 150–5,000 words, become the mainstream standard for the next decade-plus.
International Chinese Education Standard for Chinese Language Proficiency takes effect
The Ministry of Education and the National Language Commission issue GF 0025—2021, establishing the new "3 tiers, 9 levels" framework that underpins HSK 3.0.
First new HSK Levels 7–9 exam worldwide
The Advanced tier is piloted globally for the first time, assessing listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation.
Rollout of the new exam in batches
HSK 3.0 levels are piloted domestically and overseas on a rolling basis with plans for full implementation. During the transition, old and new exams run in parallel; exact dates and test centers are subject to Chinese Testing International (chinesetest.cn) announcements.