HSK 3.0 · HSK 4 Speaking Guide · 2026

HSK 4 Speaking Test Guide 2026: Format, Sample Tasks & 4-Week Plan

Five questions. Three sections. About twenty minutes. Here is exactly what you will be asked, what graders score, and the four-step framework that lifts answers from passing to fluent.

!
Check your registration page first.
If your exam is labeled HSKK / HSK Speaking, start with our
HSKK guide.
If it is labeled HSK 3.0 / HSK 4 Speaking, this page is the right guide. For the broader rollout context, see our
New HSK 3.0 guide.

HSK 4 Speaking planning hub

Plan your HSK 4 speaking path before you register.

The speaking test is only one part of your HSK 4 preparation. Use these resources to confirm your exam date, understand the HSK 3.0 transition, and strengthen the written HSK 4 foundation that supports your speaking score.

The 30-second brief

The HSK 4 Speaking Test is the speaking component of HSK 4 under the New HSK 3.0 system. Five questions, three sections, and about 20 minutes including a 10-minute prep window. If you have passed HSK 3, four focused weeks can be enough. If your HSK 3 foundation is weak, plan for eight.

SECTION 1
Listen & Retell
听后复述
2 questions · 40 sec each
Memory, summary, and delivery

SECTION 2
Tell a Story
看图说话
1 question · 2 min
Three-image narrative

SECTION 3
Express Opinion
回答问题
2 questions · 2 min each
Open response

The biggest jump from old HSKK Intermediate: Section 2 used to test reading aloud; the new HSK 4 Speaking task asks you to narrate a three-image story. It moves from decoding text to constructing speech. This is where many students lose points.

01 — WHAT’S NEW

HSK 3.0 changed the speaking exam in three ways.

If you trained for old HSKK Intermediate, here is what is different and what is still familiar.

01
Reading replaced by retelling
Section 1 moves from short repetition or reading-style tasks toward listen-and-retell. You hear a passage, hold key points in memory, and reproduce the meaning in 40 seconds.

02
Story replaces static description
Section 2 now asks for a three-image narrative. You must connect cause and effect across two minutes instead of simply describing a still scene.

03
Wider topic range
Section 3 prompts can include workplace adaptation, intercultural communication, modern life, and opinion-based topics—not just daily lifestyle questions.

HSKK Intermediate HSK 4 Speaking
Total time About 21–23 min About 20 min
Prep window 10 min 10 min
Questions 14 5
Section 1 Listen & repeat Listen & retell
Section 2 Read passage aloud / picture task Three-image story narration
Vocabulary foundation Intermediate speaking range HSK 4 Level 4 foundation

02 — FORMAT

How the 20 minutes are spent.

The exam is computer-delivered in a quiet booth. You see the prompts, prepare silently, then record your spoken answers.

1FIRST 10 MIN
Prep window
Section 2 and Section 3 prompts appear on screen. You can take notes on scratch paper. Section 1 audio plays later, so you cannot fully prepare for it.

2NEXT 9 MIN
Recording
Each section starts with a beep. You speak; the system stops the recording at the time limit. Smooth pacing matters more than speed.

3LAST 1 MIN
Submit
Confirm submission. There is no second recording inside the same session. Results are released according to your test center schedule.

Want to see the real exam style? Download the HSK 4 Speaking sample paper and practise with the same three-section structure.
Download the sample paper PDF
What graders score

Speaking scores reward understandable, organized Chinese. You do not need to sound like a native speaker; you do need to complete the task clearly.

Pronunciation
Tones, initials, finals, and whether listeners can understand you without strain.

Fluency
Pace, pauses, restarts, and rhythm. Smooth is better than fast.

Vocabulary & Grammar
Range and accuracy at an HSK 4 level. Review the HSK 4 vocabulary list before practising answers.

Content
Did you answer the question completely and stay on topic? In retelling, did you capture the key points?

Do not chase perfect pronunciation at the expense of content. A clear answer with small tone mistakes usually performs better than a perfect-sounding answer that misses the prompt.

03 — METHOD

A-R-E-C: the answer skeleton.

Every Section 3 answer should hit four beats. Memorize the order, not a fixed script. Once the structure is automatic, you can speak for two minutes on almost any prompt.

A
Answer
State your position in one sentence. No throat-clearing.

R
Reason
Give two reasons. Use 第一…第二… to signal structure.

E
Example
Use one concrete example with names, places, or times.

C
Close
Restate your view in different words. This signals you are done.

Three answers · same prompt · graded

Prompt: “刚到一个新公司工作时，为了使自己更快适应环境，你会怎么做？” — “How would you adapt quickly when starting at a new company?”

SCORE 60 · PASS
Bare minimum
我会努力工作。我也会跟同事说话。这样就能适应。我觉得这样很好。
Answers the question. No example. Repeats vocabulary.

SCORE 80 · STRONG
A-R-E-C applied
为了更快适应新公司，我会做两件事。第一，主动跟同事打招呼，了解大家的工作方式；第二，认真观察公司的文化和规则。比如说，我去年刚加入现在的公司时，第一周就请同事一起吃午饭，很快就熟悉了团队。所以，主动和观察是适应新环境的关键。
Stance, two reasons, personal example, restated close.

SCORE 95 · FLUENT
A-R-E-C + nuance
适应一个新公司，我觉得最重要的不是急着表现，而是先听、先看。第一周我会少说多问，了解团队的沟通习惯和不成文的规则。比如我上一份工作刚开始时，发现同事们更习惯用微信沟通，而不是邮件，我很快就调整了自己的方式，融入得更顺利。
Counterintuitive framing, specific example, cultural awareness.

04 — PITFALLS

Three mistakes that cost real points.

These are the patterns we see in candidates who narrowly fail speaking tasks.

01
Memorized templates that do not fit the prompt.
Practice patterns, not scripts. If your “environment” answer appears in a “hobby” question, graders notice.
02
Speaking too fast to hide errors.
Speed without clarity sounds like panic. Two slow correct sentences beat four rushed, unclear ones.
03
Wasting the 10-minute prep window.
Use scratch paper for a 4-bullet outline per question. The outline often matters more than memorizing perfect sentences.

05 — PLAN

Four weeks to test-ready.

This plan assumes you have passed HSK 3 and can study one focused hour per day. Add weeks 5–8 if you are still building your HSK 3 foundation.

W1
Listen & retell base
Tone-pair drills daily. Listen to 30–40 second passages, then retell in your own words within 40 seconds. Record yourself and check missing key points.

W2
Story arc
Master connector words. Practise a 3-act story on at least 10 image sets within the 2-minute limit.

W3
A-R-E-C drills
Random-prompt drills. 30 seconds prep, 2 minutes answer. Five prompts per day.

W4
Mock exams
Two full speaking mock exams under timed conditions. Review recordings with a teacher if possible.

Build the written HSK 4 foundation at the same time.

Speaking performance improves faster when your HSK 4 grammar and vocabulary are stable. Pair this plan with the
HSK 4 grammar quiz,
HSK 4 vocabulary list, and
free HSK 4 mock test.

06 — FAQ

Common questions, straight answers.

Use these answers to decide whether to prepare HSKK or HSK 4 Speaking, and how to organize your study time.

How long is the HSK 4 Speaking Test?

About 20 minutes total: roughly 10 minutes of silent prep, around 9 minutes of recording, and a final submission window.

How many questions are on the HSK 4 Speaking Test?

Five questions across three sections: 2 listen-and-retell items, 1 three-image story, and 2 open-response questions.

What is the passing score for HSK 4 Speaking?

Use your official test-center notice as the final reference. For general score planning, see our HSK scoring system and passing scores guide.

How is the new HSK 4 Speaking Test different from old HSKK Intermediate?

The new HSK 4 Speaking Test is level-matched to written HSK 4. The biggest difference is that it puts more weight on retelling, story construction, and structured opinion answers. For the current HSKK format, read the HSKK exam guide.

Is HSK 4 Speaking mandatory under HSK 3.0?

If your registration page labels the exam as New HSK 3.0 / HSK 4 Speaking, prepare for the level-matched speaking component. If your exam is still listed as current HSK / HSKK, follow the HSKK instructions. Check the 2026 HSK test dates and local registration page before paying.

How long does it take to prepare?

Four focused weeks if you have already passed HSK 3 and can study one hour daily. Eight weeks if you are still building HSK 3 vocabulary or struggle to answer prompts without long pauses.

When will I get my results?

Result timing depends on the test format and test center. Use the 2026 HSK score release schedule for planning.

Related HSK 4 Speaking Resources

Continue your HSK 4 preparation with the most relevant guides, practice tools, and exam planning resources.

NEXT STEP

Practise with the actual exam style.

Download the sample HSK 4 Speaking paper. Then, if you want a personalized study plan or teacher feedback on your recording, talk to our HSK teachers.

Download sample paper PDF
Talk to a teacher

Mandarin Zone School has prepared HSK students since 2008. This guide is designed to help learners understand the HSK 4 Speaking format and prepare with structured speaking practice. Always confirm your exact test format on your local registration page before the exam.