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Level 1

HSK Test Guide

HSK 1 assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of the Level I of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF).

HSK 1 Achievement

Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level I) can understand and use very simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.

HSK 1 Vocabulary

It’s required to master 150 commonly used words for HSK 1. To achieve this first level of Chinese language proficiency, you must master basic pronouns, classifiers, nouns, verbs, and other parts of speech. You must also know how to express time, age, money, and numbers using different sentence patterns such as questions, negatives, imperatives, and the like.

Access HSK 1 Vocabulary List

HSK 1 Grammar Points

  • Count Numbers
  • Express Time
  • Express Date
  • 的(de)
  • The Basic Sentence Structure
  • General Questions 吗(ma) and 呢(ne)
  • Wh-Questions
  • “是(shì)……的(de)” Sentence
  • 不(bù) and 没(méi)
  • 二(èr)” and “两(liǎng)
  • 会 (huì) and 能 (nénɡ)
  • Three Special Sentence Structures
  • 了(le)
  • Serial Verbs Sentence
Learn more about HSK 1 grammar points

HSK 1 Corresponding Textbooks

HSK 1 Mock Papers

HSK 1 Video Course

HSK 1 Test Structure & Content

In the test paper, there are two sections in total, Listening comprehension and Reading comprehension. All items on HSK 1 test paper are shown in pinyin.

SectionNumber of Items

 i.   Listening

(20 items / 15mins)

Part I5
Part I: 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 II5
Part II: 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 III5
Part III: 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 IV5
Part IV: 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

(20 items / 17mins)

Part I5
Part I: Each item will provide a picture and a phrase. The test taker should judge whether or not they are consistent with each other.
Part II5
Part II: 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 III5
Part III: During this section, 5 questions and 5 answers will be provided. The test take should match the question with the appropriate answer.
Part IV5
Part IV: 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.
Total (35 Mins)/40

The test will last for 40 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).

HSK 1 Results Certificate

Max ScorePassing Score
Listening100
Reading100
Total200120

For the HSK (Level I), three results will be provided including listening, reading and total. The test taker must score at least 120 points total to be considered passing.

As a Chinese language certificate for foreign students’ entry into Chinese colleges, the results of the HSK are valid for two years (beginning from the test date).

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