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HSKK Beginner: Test Format, the 3 Parts, and a 4-Week Plan

23 tháng 9, 2026

Quick answer

HSKK Beginner runs about 20 minutes with 7 minutes of preparation and three parts: listen and repeat, listen and answer, and questions about yourself. What each part asks, what to prepare in advance, and a 4-week plan for a first-time test taker.

HSKK Beginner (初级) is the entry-level Chinese speaking exam, meant for learners around HSK 1–2. It runs about 20 minutes, including 7 minutes of preparation, and has three parts: listen and repeat, listen and answer, and answer questions about yourself. It is scored out of 100 and you pass at 60. You can take a free HSKK Beginner mock on HSK Ace and get every sentence graded for pronunciation and tones.

If you are not yet sure how HSKK differs from the written HSK, read HSK vs HSKK first. This article is only about the Beginner level.

The three parts

The whole exam is recorded. You sit at a computer, hear the prompts through headphones, and speak into a microphone. There is no examiner in front of you.

Frequently asked questions

How long is HSKK Beginner?

About 20 minutes, including 7 minutes of preparation before Part 3. Parts 1 and 2 give you only a few seconds between the prompt and your answer.

What are the three parts of HSKK Beginner?

Listen and repeat (听后重复, 15 sentences), listen and answer (听后回答, 10 questions), and answer questions about yourself (回答问题, 2 questions).

Can I take HSKK Beginner without an HSK certificate?

Yes. HSKK is an independent exam with its own registration. HSK 1–2 is only a guide to the vocabulary level.

What is the passing score for HSKK Beginner?

60 out of 100, the same threshold as HSKK Intermediate and Advanced.

Do I need to read or write Chinese characters for HSKK Beginner?

No. All prompts at the Beginner level are spoken and you answer by speaking. Nothing is written.

Part	Chinese name	Items	What you do
1	听后重复 — listen and repeat	15	Hear a short sentence once, repeat it word for word
2	听后回答 — listen and answer	10	Hear a simple question, answer in one sentence
3	回答问题 — answer questions	2	Talk about yourself: name, family, study, hobbies

Topic	Prepare
You	Name, age, where you are from, whether you study or work
Family	How many people, what they do
Learning Chinese	How long, why, where
Hobbies	What you do in your free time and why
Daily routine	When you get up, what a normal day looks like

Week	Focus	Every day
1	Tones and pinyin	10 minutes reading short sentences aloud, then listen back to your recording
2	Part 1	15 listen-and-repeat sentences, check your tones on each one
3	Part 3	Write and rehearse answers for the 5 topics above
4	Timed mock	One full 3-part mock, listen back, fix the weakest 3 items

HSKK Beginner: Test Format, the 3 Parts, and a 4-Week Plan

The three parts

Frequently asked questions

Part 1 — listen and repeat

Part 2 — listen and answer

Part 3 — questions about yourself

A 4-week plan for a first-time taker

Three mistakes that cost Beginner candidates points

Quick answers

Where to start

Keep reading

HSKK Passing Score: What 60 out of 100 Actually Means

HSKK Advanced: Retelling, Reading Aloud, Topic Answers, and an 8-Week Plan

HSKK Intermediate: Picture Description, Answer Frameworks, and Common Topics