HSK Level 1 – All You Need To Know About HSK 1 in 2025

“HSK” stands for 汉语水平考试 Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì, which means “Chinese Level Test”. HSK test assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives.

There are six levels, HSK 1(lowest), HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, HSK 5 and HSK 6(highest).
HSK Test 2025: Changes Your Should Know (9 levels)

HSK 1 Brief Introduction

HSK level 1

Learning hours: about 30 hours
Test date: HSK Test Dates in 2025

Test Start Time(All local times): 13:30.

HSK (Level 1) has a total of 40 questions, divided into listening and reading sections. The entire exam takes about 40 minutes (including 5 minutes for candidates to fill in personal information).

Test Target
The HSK 1 is intended for students who have studied Chinese for a semester (half an academic year), with 2-3 class hours in each week.

You have mastered 150 HSK 1 words and HSK 1 grammar patterns.

HSK 1 Achievement
You can understand and use very simple phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.


HSK 1 Test Content

HSK 1 Test Details

HSK Grading Criteria

Objective Questions: Include listening and reading. The grading process is:

  1. First, scan the answer sheets to collect answer data to form the raw scores. Then, apply “1 point per correct answer, 0 points for an incorrect answer” to form raw scores for listening and reading sections.
  2. Secondly, convert these raw scores into scaled scores. Thirdly, transform these scaled scores into standardized scores.
  3. Finally, convert these standardized scores into the new HSK scores for the listening and reading sections.

Subjective Questions: Includes writing and speaking. The grading process is:

  1. First, convert scores given by evaluators into standardized scores.
  2. Secondly, transform these standardized scores into new HSK scores for the writing section.

I.Listening Comprehension (20 items/15mins)

Part I, 5 items
The recording of each item will be played twice.
A phrase and picture will be provided with each item.The test takers should make a true-or-false judgment based on what they hear.

Part II, 5 items
The recording of each item will be played twice.
A sentence and 3 pictures will be provided with each item. The test takers should choose corresponding pictures based on what they hear.

Part III, 5 items
The recording of each item will be played twice.
A dialogue and several pictures will be provided with each item. The test takers should choose corresponding pictures based on what they hear.

Part IV, 5 items
The recording of each item will be played twice. For each item, a person will make a statement. Another person will then ask a question and provide three possible answers. The three possible answers will be listed on the test paper, and test takers can choose one of the answers based on what they hear.

Filling out the answer sheet (Mark your answers for listening comprehension on Answer Sheet)    (3 mins)

II.Reading Comprehension(20 items/17mins)

Part I, 5 items
Each item will provide a picture and a phrase. The test taker should judge whether or not they are consistent with each other.

Part II, 5 items
The test paper will display several pictures. For each item, a sentence will be provided. The test taker needs to choose one of the corresponding pictures based on the content of the sentence.

Part III, 5 items
During this section, 5 questions and 5 answers will be provided. The test take should match the question with the appropriate answer.

Part IV, 5 items
Each item will display a sentence with one word missing. The test taker should select one of the words in the answer section to fill in the blank.

HSK 1 Test Dates 2025 – Complete Schedule

Test Dates Registration Deadline Score Release
Internet-Based Paper-Based Internet-Based Paper-Based
Jan 12 (Sun) Jan 2 Dec 16, 2024 Jan 27 ※ Feb 19
Mar 9 (Sun) Feb 27 Feb 10 Mar 24 Apr 9
Apr 12 (Sat) Apr 2 Mar 16 Apr 28 ※ May 19
May 17 (Sat) May 7 Apr 20 Jun 3 Jun 17
Jun 22 (Sun) Jun 12 May 26 Jul 7 Jul 22
Jul 19 (Sat) Jul 9 Jun 22 Aug 4 Aug 19
Aug 17 (Sat) Aug 7 Jul 21 Sep 1 Sep 17
Sep 7 (Sun) Aug 28 Aug 11 Sep 22 ※ Oct 14
Oct 18 (Sat) Oct 8 Sep 21 Nov 3 Nov 18
Nov 15 (Sat) Nov 5 Oct 19 Dec 1 Dec 15
Dec 7 (Sun) Nov 27 Nov 10 Dec 22 Jan 7, 2026

Note: Dates marked with ※ may be subject to change
Tip: Internet-based test results are released faster (approximately 15 days) compared to paper-based tests (approximately 30 days)

HSK 1 Score

🧮 HSK Score Calculator

Calculate your HSK score and check if you pass

Select HSK Level:

💡 Note: This calculator provides an estimate based on official HSK scoring guidelines. Actual scores may vary.

The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.

Max Score Your Score
Listening 100
Reading 100
Total 200


HSK 1 Certificate

1) The  HSK 1 cerfificate has permanent validity, once you receive it, it becomes your property and is valid forever.

2) As Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK (Hsk 5 and 6) are valid for two years (from the test date).

Want to  study HSK 1 preparation course, book your free trial with our experienced teacher today !

Official HSK Passing Scores Explained

Free HSK 1 Grammar Exercise Online

HSK 1 Vocabulary List + Excel (with 3 Free Quiz Sheets)

HSK Test Dates 2025