What is HSK 3?
Lower-Intermediate · target vocabulary ~600 words. Basic conversations for daily life, study and work.
Next HSK examCheck the official HSK schedule →What to do as the exam approaches
HSK exam dates depend on your test center — there is no single worldwide date. Check the official schedule for your center, then use the guide below as a rough roadmap.Check the official HSK schedule →
- 60+ days outBuild the foundation ― Time to lock in vocabulary and pronunciation (pinyin and tones). Focus on steady volume.
- 30–59 daysStart past papers ― Get used to the question formats and timing. Solve papers to surface your weak points.
- 14–29 daysShore up weak points ― Focus on the areas you got wrong and the listening formats you struggle with. Drill frequent words.
- 7–13 daysFull review ― Rather than new material, consolidate what you know and finalise your timing.
- 1–6 daysFinal stretch ― Don’t add new material. Get your rest and logistics in order.
- Exam dayExam day ― Stay calm and put everything you’ve built into practice.
What this level means
- Target vocabulary: ~600 words (current 6-level HSK)
- What you can do: Basic conversations for daily life, study and work.
Study tips
- Move toward vocabulary and grammar for daily life, study and work. Prioritize the high-frequency words.
- Sort out basic aspect markers such as le, zhe and guo.
- Use past papers to get used to the question formats and timing.
How to study for HSK
A level-specific routine is more useful than collecting words without a plan. Use the focus below to choose what to practice this week, then repeat the routine with your own error list.
Focus for this level: Connect the cumulative vocabulary to ordinary life, study and work. Pay special attention to aspect markers, connectors and short practical texts.
A repeatable weekly routine
- Set a measurable targetChoose a small number of words, patterns or pages and write down what “done” means before you start.
- Study in contextPair each new item with audio and a sentence you can adapt. Recognition alone is not enough.
- Practice one skill under time pressureUse a short timed listening, reading, speaking or writing task at least once a week.
- Review mistakes before adding materialKeep an error list, explain why the answer was wrong, and revisit it in the next session.
For exam dates and registration rules, check the official Chinese Test Service Network.
Am I on track?
Enter your target level, current level and daily study time to see a rough estimate of whether you can make it in time.
Your result
This estimate is a rough guide with large individual variation. Confirm real progress with past papers.