HSK listening tips

Format facts are from the official HSK 3.0 sample pack; the tips are ours.

Unofficial study site · every figure links to an official source

Level	Items	Minutes (approx.)
1	20	12
2	25	17
3	30	23
4	32	20
5	35	25
6	40	30
7–9	40	33

Parts at Levels 4 and 7–9

Level 4

1–14 Listening part 1: choose the correct answer (4 options)
15–32 Listening part 2: choose the correct answer

Levels 7–9

1–10 Listening part 1: true / false / not mentioned (√ × 〇)
11–22 Listening part 2: choose or fill in the answer
23–40 Listening part 3: choose or fill in the answer

Tips that match the format

Read the options before each recording starts. They tell you what to listen for: a time, a place, a reason, an attitude.
In true/false/not-mentioned items (Levels 7–9), “not mentioned” is a real answer. Do not mark false just because you did not hear it confirmed.
From Level 7–9, some answers are written in. Practise jotting characters fast, or pinyin first and characters after.
On paper, the clock includes answer-sheet transfer at the end. Mark as you go if you tend to run short.
Do one full timed listening section a week with the official sample audio; shadow the scripts afterwards.

Try sample items → · Official sample papers →

Frequently asked

How many listening items are in HSK 4?

The HSK 3.0 official sample: 32 items, about 20 minutes.

Does HSK 7–9 listening have written answers?

Yes. In the official sample, parts 2 and 3 ask you to choose or fill in the answer.

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Official sources

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.