HSKWin

HSK 3.0 status — what’s confirmed, what’s not

A live tracker of the HSK 2.0 → 3.0 switch: what CTI has published, what it has not, and which version your sitting will use. Updated whenever CTI publishes.

Levels 7–9 are already on HSK 3.0. Levels 1–6 have a published syllabus but no announced switch date, so sittings in 2026 are still HSK 2.0 unless CTI says otherwise.

The facts, with sources

Standard published
Confirmed

GF0025-2021《国际中文教育中文水平等级标准》 published — three bands, nine levels, 11,092 words, 3,000 characters.

Source: Ministry of Education / CLEC

Syllabus released
Confirmed

CTI released the HSK 3.0 exam syllabus for levels 1–9, with an implementation date of July 2026.

Source: Chinese Testing International

Global trial sitting
Confirmed

A limited global trial sitting of the new levels 1–6 papers was held, on both paper and computer.

Source: Chinese Testing International

Levels 7–9
Confirmed

HSK 7–9 already runs entirely on the 3.0 standard, computer-based only.

Source: Chinese Testing International

Levels 1–6 switch date
Not announced

NOT ANNOUNCED. CTI has published no switch date for the regular 1–6 sittings, so 2026 sittings are still being examined under HSK 2.0.

Source: Checked against CTI announcements

Speaking at levels 3–6
Confirmed

In HSK 3.0 sittings, levels 3–6 are registered together with a matching speaking test — about 15, 20, 23 and 23 minutes — sat separately from the written paper. Announced with the global trial.

Source: CTI — HSK 3.0 global trial notice

Which version is my exam?

  1. 1Sitting HSK 7–9? It is 3.0, computer-based. This has been true since the band launched.
  2. 2Sitting HSK 1–6 in 2026? Unless CTI announces a switch date before your sitting, it is 2.0. Check the version printed on your registration record.
  3. 3Preparing for a sitting after the switch? Practise on 3.0 material now — the syllabus is published and will not change again before it takes effect.

Changelog

  • Added the rule that HSK 3.0 levels 3–6 are registered together with a speaking test.
  • First publication of this tracker. We check CTI announcements weekly and log every change here.

Email me the moment CTI announces the switch date

One email, when it happens. Nothing else.