What HSK 1 and 2 test
HSK 1 and 2 have two sections each, listening and reading, and no writing or speaking. Everything is multiple choice or true or false, and the recordings play twice. Today is the shape of the paper and the words its instructions use, so nothing on the day is a surprise.
The paper
The words on its cover.
Every HSK paper is divided into 听力 and 阅读 at these levels, each in four parts. Knowing the two words saves the first seconds of panic when the paper is turned over.
The instructions
Words every part uses.
例如 matters: each part starts with an example already answered. Reading the example tells you what the part wants, even if you do not read every word of the instruction.
The two papers
HSK 2.0, the version regular sittings use until December 2026.
The pass mark is 120 out of 200 at both levels, and the recording for each question plays twice. The second play is for checking, not for hearing it for the first time.
Regular sittings use the six-level HSK 2.0 papers until 13 December 2026, when HSK 3.0 opens. The new HSK 1 and 2 are built on different word lists. Check the version your booking names; the HSK guide on this site explains both.
8 questions. Get 5 right to finish the day.
听力三十五题，阅读二十五题 means…
- answer
- question, item
- to choose
- 35 listening, 25 reading questions
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35 listening, 25 reading questions 听力三十五题，阅读二十五题 means 35 listening, 25 reading questions.
阅读 means…
- 35 listening, 25 reading questions
- for example
- reading (section)
- question, item
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reading (section) 阅读 means reading (section).
题 means…
- question, item
- for example
- 120 of 200 to pass
- to choose
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question, item 第1题, question 1.
听力 means…
- 120 of 200 to pass
- to choose
- listening (section)
- exam
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listening (section) Listening power.
Type the pinyin for 答案.
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dá'àn 答案 means answer.
Which one means "each recording plays twice"?
- 每题听两遍 měi tí tīng liǎng biàn
- 答案 dá'àn
- 选择 xuǎnzé
- 例如 lìrú
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每题听两遍 每题听两遍 means each recording plays twice.
Which one means "20 listening, 20 reading questions"?
- 第一部分 dì yī bùfen
- 题 tí
- 听力二十题，阅读二十题 tīnglì èrshí tí, yuèdú èrshí tí
- 听力 tīnglì
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听力二十题，阅读二十题 听力二十题，阅读二十题 means 20 listening, 20 reading questions.
Type the Chinese or pinyin for "to choose".
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xuǎnzé 选择 means to choose.
Question 1 of 8