MyHSK1 is a practice platform for beginner Mandarin Chinese learners preparing for the HSK 1 exam under the HSK 3.0 standard. It offers interactive drills and quizzes covering all 300 Level 1 vocabulary words, pinyin, grammar, listening, and speaking.

Is MyHSK1 only for HSK 1 beginners?

MyHSK1 covers the full HSK 3.0 Level 1 standard — 300 essential words, basic grammar, and foundational listening and speaking skills. It's ideal for anyone starting to learn Mandarin Chinese.

How long are the daily drills?

Most drills and quizzes take 5 to 10 minutes. You can practice pinyin tones, vocabulary flashcards, grammar exercises, listening comprehension, or speaking dialogs in short focused sessions.

Can I practice speaking and listening?

Yes. MyHSK1 includes listening comprehension exercises with native audio, video lessons, and interactive speaking dialog practice with pronunciation feedback.

Do I need a teacher to use MyHSK1?

No. MyHSK1 is designed for self-study with instant feedback on every drill and quiz. Teachers can also use it to assign exercises to students.

HSK 3.0 is the updated Chinese proficiency standard taking effect in July 2026. It replaces the old HSK 2.0 system. Level 1 now covers 300 vocabulary words (up from 150), with expanded topics like daily routines, transportation, and food. MyHSK1 is fully aligned with the HSK 3.0 Level 1 standard.

Where can I take HSK 3.0 practice tests online?

MyHSK1 offers 11 full-length HSK 3.0 Level 1 mock exams with 40 questions each, matching the official exam format. Each test includes listening and reading sections, timed at 40 minutes, with a pass score of 120 out of 200 points. All tests use the updated 300-word HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

How is HSK 3.0 different from HSK 2.0?

HSK 3.0 Level 1 doubles the vocabulary from 150 to 300 words, adds practical topics like shopping, meals, and daily routines, and moves adverbs like 真 (really) and 再 (again) into Level 1. The exam format stays the same: 40 questions, 200 points, 40 minutes.

When does HSK 3.0 replace HSK 2.0?

July 2026 is the published changeover date. After that, official HSK exams use the new HSK 3.0 framework.

Are my existing HSK 2.0 certificates still valid?

Previously issued HSK certificates remain valid for the period stated on them (typically two years for exam scores). Universities and employers generally accept them through the transition, but always confirm with the specific institution that requires one.

How much harder is HSK 1 under the new standard?

The vocabulary requirement doubled (150 to 300 words), grammar coverage expanded meaningfully, and the exam now tracks character writing and pinyin as separate dimensions rather than lumping them under vocabulary. In practice: meaningfully harder, especially the character-writing portion.

Do I have to start over if I already know the old HSK 1?

No. The original 150 words are all included in the new 300-word list. You add on top of what you know — you do not relearn it.

Where can I practice the new HSK 1 vocabulary?

MyHSK1's vocabulary practice covers all 300 HSK 1 words under the HSK 3.0 standard, with flashcards and a full word list view.

News

HSK 3.0 Is Here: What Changed, and Why Your Old HSK 1 List Is Only Half the New Exam

April 22, 20265 min read

Starting July 2026, China's official Mandarin proficiency exam — the HSK — switches to a new standard: HSK 3.0. If you are studying Chinese for work, university admission, or a visa requirement, this change directly affects what you need to know to pass.

The short version: the new HSK 1 requires roughly twice the vocabulary of the version most textbooks and apps still teach. Here is what changed, why, and exactly what HSK 1 learners should do about it.

What is HSK 3.0?

HSK (汉语水平考试, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is the standardized Mandarin Chinese proficiency exam administered under China's Ministry of Education. The previous version — commonly called HSK 2.0 — was introduced in 2010 and has six levels.

HSK 3.0 is defined by the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education, published in 2021 by the Chinese International Education Foundation (the organization formerly known as Hanban). It replaces HSK 2.0 as the official framework for the exam starting July 2026.

What Changed: HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0

Three structural changes matter for learners:

6 levels became 9, grouped into three bands: Elementary (1-3), Intermediate (4-6), and Advanced (7-9).
Vocabulary counts per level grew substantially. HSK 1 doubled, from 150 words to 300 words.
Four separate dimensions are now tracked — vocabulary, Chinese characters, grammar, and syllables — rather than vocabulary alone.

Dimension	HSK 2.0 (2010)	HSK 3.0 (2021)
Total levels	6	9 (in 3 bands)
HSK 1 vocabulary	150 words	300 words
Dimensions assessed	Vocabulary-led	Vocabulary, characters, grammar, syllables
Effective for the exam	2010 – June 2026	July 2026 onward

If you are studying from an older 150-word list, you will walk into the new HSK 1 knowing roughly half the expected material.

What HSK 1 Learners Need to Do Right Now

The most common mistake for learners preparing for HSK 1 from July 2026 onward is studying from an older word list. Many popular textbooks, Anki decks, and flashcard apps still contain only the 150-word HSK 2.0 vocabulary.

The good news: the original 150 words are a proper subset of the new 300, so nothing you have already learned is wasted. You just need to cover the additional vocabulary, the broader grammar, and more characters. Our HSK 1 vocabulary is already aligned to the 300-word HSK 3.0 list.

Start with the HSK 3.0-aligned HSK 1 word list

All 300 words. Flashcards and a searchable word list. Updated for the July 2026 exam.

Open the HSK 1 Word Bank

Frequently Asked Questions

When does HSK 3.0 replace HSK 2.0?: July 2026 is the published changeover date. After that, official HSK exams use the new HSK 3.0 framework.
Are my existing HSK 2.0 certificates still valid?: Previously issued HSK certificates remain valid for the period stated on them (typically two years for exam scores). Universities and employers generally accept them through the transition, but always confirm with the specific institution that requires one.
How much harder is HSK 1 under the new standard?: The vocabulary requirement doubled (150 to 300 words), grammar coverage expanded meaningfully, and the exam now tracks character writing and pinyin as separate dimensions rather than lumping them under vocabulary. In practice: meaningfully harder, especially the character-writing portion.
Do I have to start over if I already know the old HSK 1?: No. The original 150 words are all included in the new 300-word list. You add on top of what you know — you do not relearn it.
Where can I practice the new HSK 1 vocabulary?: MyHSK1's vocabulary practice covers all 300 HSK 1 words under the HSK 3.0 standard, with flashcards and a full word list view.