How to Pass the HSK 4: A Step-by-Step Study Guide
Anne MeredithLearn Chinese in China or on Zoom and gain fluency in Chinese!
Join CLI and learn Chinese with your personal team of Mandarin teachers online or in person at the CLI Center in Guilin, China.
Table of Contents
It's time to pass HSK 4!
Are you planning your strategy to pass HSK 4? Maybe you need an HSK 4 score to gain entry into a Chinese university program. Perhaps you want to add points to your Chinese work visa application or prove your level to a prospective employer. Or maybe you're just hoping to score some bragging rights.
Whatever your reasons, deciding to take the exam is only the first step. Next comes the hard part: test prep.
Even students with strong language skills can struggle with unfamiliar exams. No matter how confident you feel about your Chinese, spend time getting familiar with the exam's structure and content through efficient, targeted practice.
What is the HSK 4?
The HSK (汉语水平考试, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is China's official standardized Mandarin proficiency exam for non-native speakers. Under the new HSK 3.0 system — which takes full effect in July 2026 — the exam now spans nine cumulative levels organized into three stages.
HSK 4 sits at the entry point of the Intermediate stage (HSK 4-6). It corresponds roughly to CEFR B1. That makes it one of the most commonly targeted levels, since many Chinese universities require HSK 4 as the minimum for undergraduate admission.
What does HSK 4 require?
Under the finalized November 2025 syllabus, HSK 4 requires a cumulative vocabulary of approximately 2,000 words and 1,200 characters. You should discuss a wide range of topics in Chinese and communicate fluently with native speakers on most everyday subjects.
With intensive immersion study, most learners reach HSK 4 in about 4-6 months. Casual self-study typically takes 18-24 months for the same level.
What changed under HSK 3.0?
A few important updates affect HSK 4 test-takers:
- Mandatory speaking exam. The oral exam (HSKK) is now required at HSK 3 and above. HSK 4 candidates must complete the Intermediate level speaking test alongside the written exam.
- Translation skills. Starting at HSK 4, the exam now tests your ability to transfer meaning between Chinese and another language. This is new to the Intermediate stage.
- No handwriting required. Levels 1-4 focus on character recognition (认读). You need to read characters and type them with pinyin input, but handwriting is not required.
- Modern vocabulary. HSK 3.0 adds practical, contemporary words like 人工智能 (AI), 电商 (e-commerce) and 健身房 (gym). Many useful terms previously reserved for higher levels now appear at HSK 4-5.
For a full breakdown of every level, see our complete guide to all 9 HSK levels.
HSK 4 sits at the entry point of the Intermediate stage and is the minimum level required by most Chinese universities for undergraduate admission.
Understanding the exam structure
Before you start studying, take time to understand the HSK 4 exam format. The test lasts 105 minutes and covers three sections: listening (30 minutes), reading (40 minutes) and writing (25 minutes).
The highest possible score is 300. You need 180 to pass. There is no minimum required score for any individual section, so a strong performance in one area can offset a weaker one.
You can choose between the paper-based or internet-based (iBT) version of the exam. The HSK uses only simplified Chinese.
A note on handwriting vs. typing
The writing section of the paper-based HSK 4 includes questions that require you to handwrite Chinese sentences. If your handwriting still needs work, consider taking the online version instead. The iBT format lets you type characters with pinyin input rather than writing them by hand.
Under HSK 3.0, levels 1-4 officially focus on character recognition rather than handwriting. This makes the online format a natural fit for most HSK 4 candidates. If you do choose the paper exam, practice your handwriting with an app like Skritter.
The HSK 4 exam lasts 105 minutes and covers listening, reading and writing. You need 180 out of 300 to pass.
Step 1: Select your study materials
Before diving into your study routine, arrange effective materials. Simulated Tests of the New Chinese Proficiency Test HSK (HSK Level 4) is a great resource. It comes with CDs for listening practice and includes a collection of practice tests with answer keys.
We also highly recommend the HSK 4 Standard Course textbooks linked above. Work through both volumes (HSK 4 上 and 下) to cover all the required grammar and vocabulary.
Note that Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) is releasing new textbooks aligned with HSK 3.0 throughout 2026. These updated editions may better match the new exam format and vocabulary.
Once you have your study materials in hand, you're ready to begin.
Step 2: Set a study schedule and stick to it
You'll need a consistent routine that lets you work through practice tests in a systematic way. Most students need at least one month of daily practice, though the total time varies based on your starting level.
Set aside one full hour for daily study. Practice at the same time each day to build the habit. To build speed and endurance, increase the difficulty and intensity as you approach test day.
Week one
During your first week, familiarize yourself with the exam by completing one untimed practice test section per day. Start with reading or listening since these sections are the longest and contain the most new words.
Once you finish a section, check your answers. Clearly mark the ones you got wrong. Then review each incorrect answer carefully. Make sure you understand not only the right answer but also why you got it wrong. While reviewing, look up any unknown words and create flashcards for them (see Step 3).
Week two and beyond
Starting in your second week, complete one timed listening, reading or writing section every other day. You probably won't finish within the allotted time at first. That's normal. Your speed will increase with practice.
On off days, check the previous day's answers. Make and review vocabulary flashcards. Continue this cycle until one week before your test date.
The week before test day
In the final week, set aside several long blocks of uninterrupted time. Complete 2-3 full-length, timed exams in single sittings. Check and review your answers after each practice test.
These full-length sessions build the stamina and endurance you need for the real exam. They also help you practice transitioning between sections under time pressure.
A consistent study schedule with gradually increasing difficulty is the key to building the speed and endurance you need on test day.
Step 3: Make flashcards targeting your weaknesses
You may feel tempted to memorize the entire HSK 4 vocabulary list from top to bottom. Don't do it! Memorizing long, unfocused lists is demoralizing and inefficient. A personalized approach works much better.
How to build your deck
Resist the urge to look up every new word you see during practice tests. Instead, guess word meanings from context — after all, you won't have a dictionary on test day.
Once you finish a section, focus on looking up unknown words that appeared in questions you got wrong. Use a Chinese dictionary app like Pleco to find definitions. Then create electronic or paper flashcards for those words.
Focus on high-frequency problem words
Also make flashcards for unknown words that keep appearing across multiple practice tests. These are the terms most likely to trip you up on exam day.
By the end of your preparation, you'll have a focused deck targeting your specific weak spots. Quiz yourself with these flashcards during every study session.
Step 4: Improve your overall Chinese level
While there's no substitute for consistent, test-focused preparation, building your general Chinese skills can make a real difference — especially if your test date is still a few months away.
Listening practice
Try watching ChinesePod videos for an entertaining way to improve your listening and expand your vocabulary. You can also listen to Chinese radio broadcasts using an app like 蜻蜓 or watch Chinese TV shows without subtitles.
Popular options include the Friends-inspired sitcom 爱情公寓 and 神雕侠侣, a martial arts period drama based on a famous series of Wuxia novels.
Grammar and speaking
You may also want to brush up on your basic Chinese grammar. Since HSK 3.0 now requires a mandatory speaking exam at level 4, practicing conversation with native speakers is more important than ever. Online Chinese classes with a dedicated teacher can help you build speaking confidence alongside your test preparation.
Have fun with these resources in your free time, but don't let them cut into your daily hour of efficient, targeted, exam-focused practice.
Ready to pass HSK 4?
With a little persistence and dedication, you'll pass HSK 4 without blinking an eye. Visit www.chinesetest.cn to check this year's test dates and register for the exam.
Want expert guidance? CLI's teachers have extensive experience preparing students for every HSK level. Schedule a free trial class and let us help you build a study plan tailored to your goals.
CLI's experienced teachers can help you build a personalized HSK 4 study plan and prepare for the new HSK 3.0 exam format.
Vocabulary Related to Test-Taking
| Hànzì | pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
| 考试 | kǎoshì | exam |
| 汉语水平考试 | Hànyǔ Shuĭpíng Kǎoshì | HSK |
| 考场 | kǎochǎng | exam venue |
| 考点 | kǎodiǎn | test site |
| 考生 | kǎoshēng | examinee |
| 考官 | kǎoguān | examiner |
| 笔试 | bĭshì | written exam |
| 口试 | kǒushì | oral exam |
| 备考 | bèikǎo | prepare for an exam |
| 背 | bèi | memorize |
| 单词 | dāncí | individual word |
| 词汇 | cíhuì | vocabulary |
| 刷提 | shuātí | do practice exam problems |
| 作弊 | zuòbì | to cheat |
| 通过 | tōngguò | to pass (a test) |
| 没通过 | méitōngguò | to fail (a test) |
| 报名 | bàomíng | sign up |
| 模拟考试 | mónĭ kǎoshì | practice test |
| 在线模考 | zàixiàn mókǎo | online practice test |
| 试卷 | shìjuàn | test paper |
Anne Meredith holds an MA in International Politics and Chinese Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she wrote and defended her Master's thesis entirely in Chinese — one of three recognized "with distinction" at commencement. As CLI's former Head of Content, Anne led a team of content creators and Chinese language teachers to produce online Mandarin learning resources, including CLI's Chinese Graded Readers series. She has lived in China for over a decade, is fluent in Chinese, and currently resides in Shanghai.
