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.
Which version is my exam?
- 1Sitting HSK 7–9? It is 3.0, computer-based. This has been true since the band launched.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.