Is HSKK Intermediate harder than HSKK Beginner?

Yes — significantly. The sentences are longer, Part 2 makes you describe a picture in a connected passage with no prompt, and Part 3 asks for paragraph-length structured answers instead of single sentences.

Do I need HSK 4 to take HSKK Intermediate?

No. HSKK is an independent exam. But the vocabulary and grammar overlap closely with HSK 3–4, so most learners take HSK 4 around the same time.

How long should my paragraph answer be?

You have up to 120 seconds. Most successful answers are 4–6 sentences long, structured as: opinion → reason → example → conclusion. Speak at natural pace — do not rush to fill the time.

Can the AI catch tone mistakes?

Yes. The HSK Ace AI pronunciation grading evaluates tone shape on every syllable and flags drift, especially on the third tone and the difference between second and third tones. We recommend at least one human review before the real exam.

How do I improve my fluency in 12 weeks?

Daily recording is the single biggest lever. On HSK Ace, do at least 5 minutes of picture description and 5 minutes of question-answer every day. Listen back to your own recordings — most learners improve fastest from self-correction.

HSKK Intermediate (中级) mock tests · 2026

HSKK Intermediate mock test online — speak Chinese at HSK 3–4 level

HSKK Intermediate (中级) mock tests on HSK Ace follow the official exam format: ~21 minutes (including 10 minutes of preparation for Parts 2 and 3), 3 sections, pass mark 60 out of 100. You get pronunciation and tone scores for every prompt as soon as you finish recording.

HSKK Intermediate tests your ability to give structured answers in Mandarin. Three parts: listen and repeat longer sentences, describe a picture, and answer an open question in a paragraph. Free full mock + AI grading.

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Speaking parts

~21 minutes (including 10 minutes of preparation for Parts 2 and 3)

Total exam time

Pronunciation grading

What is HSKK Intermediate (中级)?

HSKK Intermediate (HSKK 中级) is the second-tier Chinese speaking exam, designed for learners at roughly HSK 3–4 level. It certifies that you can communicate fluently with native speakers on familiar everyday, academic, and work-related topics — not just answer fixed prompts.

Compared to HSKK Beginner, the test gets harder in three ways: the listen-and-repeat sentences are longer, the picture-description part makes you build a short passage on your own with nobody prompting you, and the open question asks for a structured paragraph answer, not a one-line reply. You need real spontaneity, not just memorised phrases.

On HSK Ace, HSKK Intermediate mocks include the full structure under real timing. AI pronunciation grading evaluates pinyin accuracy, tone shape, fluency, and pace — the same dimensions human raters use. Free mock available; detailed grading and unlimited mocks open when you upgrade.

Why HSKK Intermediate (中级) matters

The standard speaking certificate paired with HSK 4 — many scholarships ask for HSK 4 + HSKK Intermediate together.
A practical work credential — confirms you can hold structured professional conversations in Mandarin.
Required for several teaching, tourism, and bilingual support roles.
A natural milestone before tackling HSKK Advanced — most learners pause here for 6–12 months to build the fluency required for the top tier.

HSKK Intermediate (中级) exam structure

Total: ~21 minutes (including 10 minutes of preparation for Parts 2 and 3) · Pass: 60 out of 100

Part 1 — Listen and Repeat (听后重复)

10 sentences~5 minutes

You hear a longer sentence once, then have 3 seconds to prepare and 10 seconds to repeat. Tests memory and accurate reproduction of intonation.

Part 2 — Describe a Picture (看图说话)

2 pictures~4 minutes speaking

You see a picture on screen and build a short spoken passage from it: who, doing what, where — then why, how they feel, and your own view. Up to 120 seconds per picture. Tests whether you can produce connected speech without a prompt.

Part 3 — Answer Questions (回答问题)

Free HSKK Intermediate mock tests

Take any of these free mocks under real timing. Detailed AI grading and unlimited attempts unlock with Shells.

Free mock

HSKK Trung Cấp - Đề thi số 1

21 min

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Free mock

HSKK Trung Cấp - Đề thi số 2

21 min

Start mock

HSKK Intermediate mock tests by exam code

Every HSKK Intermediate paper on HSK Ace keeps its official exam code, so you can go straight to the one you were given. 6 papers published so far.

HSKK Intermediate mock tests listed by official exam code, with duration and access type.
Exam code	Paper	Time	Access
H81001	HSKK Intermediate mock test H81001	21 min	Free
H81002	HSKK Intermediate mock test H81002	21 min	Free
H81003	HSKK Intermediate mock test H81003	21 min	Free
H81004	HSKK Intermediate mock test H81004

How to prepare for HSKK Intermediate (中级)

Suggested plan: 10–14 weeks from a passing HSKK Beginner level. Adjust based on your starting level and time budget.

Weeks 1–3

Listen-and-repeat upgrade

15 minutes Part 1 practice on HSK Ace — longer sentences than Beginner. Record, compare to native, drill weak tones. Focus on retaining 15+ word sentences.

Weeks 4–7

Picture description

20 minutes Part 2 practice: pick any photo, describe it in 3 steps (describe → extend → close) for 90–120 seconds, record, listen back. Drill the AI-flagged weak syllables from the recording.

Weeks 8–11

Structured paragraph answers

15 minutes Part 3 question-answer practice. Build a mental template: state your view → give a reason → give an example → conclude. Drill connectors (首先, 其次, 最后, 比如说).