A reading speed of at least 80 characters per minute and a listening speed of 100 characters per minute. 2. Core Topics and Skills
Master these sounds before memorizing words.
If you ignore tones, you might say mā (mother) when you mean mǎ (horse). The HSK 1 listening section will test your ability to distinguish these tones.
HSK 1 is the beginner level of the standard Chinese proficiency exam, equivalent to of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is intended for students who have studied Mandarin for about one semester (roughly 2-3 hours per week) and can understand and use very simple Chinese phrases. Key Requirements
You need a total of 120 out of 200 points (60%). Each section is worth 100 points.
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is often compared to the TOEFL for English or the DELE for Spanish. It consists of six main levels (with the new system expanding to nine, though the six-level structure remains the most common standard for learners currently).
Passing proves three things:
To pass the new, more rigorous HSK 1 in 2026, consistent preparation is key.
Passing the HSK 1 exam is a realistic goal for any beginner because of its focused scope:
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng. Wǒ shì xuésheng. Wǒ jīnnián 20 suì. What is his name? A) Lǐ Míng ✅ B) Wáng Lì C) Zhāng Wěi