HSK 3.0 Level 7–9: format, timing and vocabulary
Level 7: standard, fluent communication in workplace, general professional and general academic situations. Level 8: appropriate, in-depth communication in the same situations. Level 9: precise, in-depth communication in all kinds of professional, specialist and academic situations. (official ability description)
Unofficial study site · every figure links to an official source
91
~200′
11,000
Paper structure
| Section | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 | about 33 min |
| Reading | 40 | 50 min |
| Writing | 2 | 55 min |
| Translation | 4 | about 42 min |
| Speaking | 5 | about 20 min |
About 200 minutes in all; the five sections are taken in one sitting.
Part by part
| Items | Task |
|---|---|
| Listening 1–10 | Listening part 1: true / false / not mentioned (√ × 〇) |
| Listening 11–22 | Listening part 2: choose or fill in the answer |
| Listening 23–40 | Listening part 3: choose or fill in the answer |
| Reading 41–61 | Reading part 1: choose the correct answer |
| Reading 62–66 | Reading part 2: reorder shuffled paragraphs into a coherent text |
| Reading 67–80 | Reading part 3: short answers of no more than ten characters |
| Writing 81 | Writing: describe and analyse a chart, at least 200 characters, 15 minutes |
| Writing 82 | Writing: argumentative essay, at least 600 characters, 40 minutes |
| Translation 83–84 | Translation: render two texts into Chinese in writing, 35 minutes |
| Translation 85–86 | Translation: interpreting (the sample’s source texts are in English) |
| Speaking 87 | Speaking: applied read-and-speak (from a practical text) |
| Speaking 88–90 | Speaking: listen to material and answer questions |
| Speaking 91 | Speaking: express and argue a view (3 minutes) |
Task types are taken from the instructions printed on the official sample paper. Where the sample prints no instruction, we list only the item range rather than guess.
Speaking
Speaking is the fifth section of the same Levels 7–9 exam (5 items, about 20 minutes), listed above.
Words and characters (official syllabus)
| New at this level | Cumulative | |
|---|---|---|
| Words | 5,600 | 11,000 |
| Recognition characters | 1,148 | 3,088 |
| Handwriting characters | 500 (1,200 cumulative) | |
All levels’ word counts and how to study them →
Compared with HSK 2.0
Old HSK 7–9: (new in the 3.0 system) (current level page on chinesetest.cn). Level-by-level comparison →
How to prepare (our advice)
- One sitting, about 200 minutes, five sections including translation and speaking — rehearse the whole day at least once.
- Writing needs 200 characters on a chart in 15 minutes and 600 characters of argument in 40 — that is 15 characters a minute.
- Reading part 3 answers must stay within ten characters: practise compressing.
Frequently asked
How many questions are on HSK 3.0 Level 7–9?
The official sample paper has 91 items: listening 40 (about 33 min), reading 40 (50 min), writing 2 (55 min), translation 4 (about 42 min), speaking 5 (about 20 min). The whole test takes about 200 minutes.
How many words do I need for new HSK 7–9?
The official syllabus word list adds 5,600 words at Level 7–9, 11,000 in total; 1,148 new recognition characters (3,088 cumulative) and 500 (1,200 cumulative) handwriting characters.
What is the pass mark for HSK 3.0 Level 7–9?
As of 2026-11-13 the level pages on chinesetest.cn still describe the 2.0 format and we found no official HSK 3.0 pass mark for this level. The old version: (new in the 3.0 system). Check the official score rules for your sitting.
Do I sit Levels 7, 8 and 9 separately?
No. Levels 7–9 are a single exam, and the level you reach is decided by your result (Chinese Test Service Website, new HSK overview).
Our HSK 4 papers are original and follow the HSK 3.0 Level 4 written structure (70 items). Instant mock score, section drills, a mistake bank and an 8-item daily set. Not past papers, never recalled papers.
Keep reading
- What changes in HSK 3.0
- 13 Dec 2026: dates, registration deadlines, results
- Scores and pass marks: what is confirmed
- 30-day plan to 13 December
Official sources
- Official HSK 3.0 sample paper pack (written + speaking papers, answers, audio), ZIP
- Official new HSK syllabus (CLEC, published 2025-11, in force 2026-07), PDF
- Official HSK 3.0 ability descriptions, PDF
- Chinese Test Service Website: About the new HSK
- Chinese Test Service Website: current HSK Level 4 page (2.0 format)
Checked 2026-11-13. HSK Sprint is an independent study service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC / 语合中心), Chinese Testing International or the official HSK. All papers and audio are original. Always confirm details with chinesetest.cn and your test centre.