The June 28, 2026 session was the last chance to sit the HSK under the old 2.0 format — from July 18 onward, every exam follows the HSK 3.0 standard. The question flooding in ever since: "is my existing certificate now worthless?" Short answer: no — but there is a clock ticking, and it is worth understanding.
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Is Your HSK 2.0 Certificate Still Valid Now That HSK 3.0 Is Here?
22 tháng 7, 2026
Quick answer
Every HSK sitting has followed the 3.0 standard since July 2026, but your 2.0 certificate did not expire. Who keeps it, who should retake.
Frequently asked questions
Did HSK 2.0 certificates become invalid when HSK 3.0 launched?
No. Certificates already issued keep their validity. HSK scores carry no printed expiry date, but most universities, scholarship programs and employers accept results from roughly the past two years only.
Can I apply to a Chinese university in 2027 with an HSK 2.0 score?
Usually yes, if the score is within the freshness window the institution requires and it has not switched its published requirements to 3.0 bands. Admission requirements are gradually migrating, so always verify with the specific program.
Is there an official one-to-one conversion from old HSK levels to new bands?
No official one-to-one table exists. The new bands cover substantially more vocabulary per number, so treat any mapping as an orientation guide, then confirm your real band with a full-length mock test.