HSK Speaking Test: Complete Guide and Practice Tips

The HSK speaking test is a crucial component of Chinese proficiency assessment, testing your ability to communicate orally in Chinese. While not all HSK levels include speaking tests, understanding the format and preparing effectively is essential for comprehensive Chinese proficiency. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about the HSK speaking test. For comprehensive test preparation, see our HSK test prep guide and test format explanation.

HSK Speaking Test Overview

The HSK speaking test (HSKK - Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi) is a separate test from the written HSK exam. It assesses your ability to speak Chinese in various contexts, from basic daily conversations to advanced discussions on complex topics.

Key Points:

• HSKK is a separate test from written HSK
• Available at three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
• Tests pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and grammar
• Computer-based recording format
• Results are separate from written HSK scores

HSK Speaking Test Format

Beginner Level (HSKK-Basic)

Target: Students who have studied Chinese for 1-2 semesters (equivalent to HSK 1-2)

Test Duration: 17 minutes Total Questions: 27 questions

Part 1: Listen and Repeat (15 questions)

• Listen to sentences and repeat them
• Tests pronunciation and tone accuracy
• Sentences are 7-15 characters long
• Each sentence plays twice

Part 2: Listen and Answer (10 questions)

• Listen to questions and answer them
• Tests ability to understand and respond
• Questions are about daily life topics
• Each question plays twice

Part 3: Answer Questions (2 questions)

• Answer questions based on given prompts
• Tests ability to express ideas
• Topics are familiar daily situations
• Preparation time: 10 seconds per question

Scoring:

• Total score: 100 points
• Passing score: 60 points

Intermediate Level (HSKK-Intermediate)

Target: Students who have studied Chinese for 1-2 academic years (equivalent to HSK 3-4)

Test Duration: 21 minutes Total Questions: 14 questions

Part 1: Listen and Repeat (10 questions)

• Listen to sentences and repeat them
• Sentences are 20-30 characters long
• Tests pronunciation, tones, and fluency
• Each sentence plays twice

Part 2: Describe Pictures (2 questions)

• Describe what you see in pictures
• Tests ability to describe and narrate
• Preparation time: 2 minutes per picture
• Speaking time: 2 minutes per picture

Part 3: Answer Questions (2 questions)

• Answer questions on given topics
• Tests ability to express opinions
• Topics are familiar social situations
• Preparation time: 30 seconds per question

Scoring:

• Total score: 100 points
• Passing score: 60 points

Advanced Level (HSKK-Advanced)

Target: Students who have studied Chinese for 2+ academic years (equivalent to HSK 5-6)

Test Duration: 24 minutes Total Questions: 6 questions

Part 1: Listen and Repeat (3 questions)

• Listen to passages and repeat them
• Passages are 100-200 characters long
• Tests pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension
• Each passage plays twice

Part 2: Read Aloud (1 question)

• Read a passage aloud
• Passage is 400-600 characters
• Tests pronunciation, fluency, and reading ability
• Preparation time: 2 minutes

Part 3: Answer Questions (2 questions)

• Answer questions on given topics
• Tests ability to discuss complex topics
• Topics are abstract or professional
• Preparation time: 2 minutes per question
• Speaking time: 3 minutes per question

Scoring:

• Total score: 100 points
• Passing score: 60 points

Scoring Criteria

Pronunciation (30 points)

Excellent (25-30 points):

• Clear pronunciation
• Accurate tones
• Natural intonation
• Native-like pronunciation

Good (18-24 points):

• Generally clear pronunciation
• Mostly accurate tones
• Some minor errors
• Comprehensible

Fair (12-17 points):

• Pronunciation sometimes unclear
• Tone errors affect meaning
• Needs improvement
• Generally comprehensible

Poor (0-11 points):

• Many pronunciation errors
• Significant tone problems
• Difficult to understand
• Major improvement needed

Fluency (30 points)

Excellent (25-30 points):

• Smooth, natural speech
• Appropriate pace
• Few hesitations
• Fluent delivery

Good (18-24 points):

• Generally smooth speech
• Occasional hesitations
• Appropriate pace
• Mostly fluent

Fair (12-17 points):

• Some hesitations
• Uneven pace
• Occasional pauses
• Needs improvement

Poor (0-11 points):

• Many hesitations
• Very slow or rushed
• Frequent pauses
• Major fluency issues

Vocabulary and Grammar (40 points)

Excellent (34-40 points):

• Rich, appropriate vocabulary
• Accurate grammar
• Varied sentence structures
• Sophisticated language use

Good (26-33 points):

• Adequate vocabulary
• Mostly accurate grammar
• Some variety in structures
• Generally appropriate

Fair (18-25 points):

• Limited vocabulary
• Some grammar errors
• Simple sentence structures
• Basic language use

Poor (0-17 points):

• Very limited vocabulary
• Many grammar errors
• Very simple structures
• Major language issues

Practice Strategies

1. Pronunciation Practice

Focus on Tones:

• Practice the four tones systematically
• Use tone pairs and tone combinations
• Record yourself and compare to native speakers
• Focus on tone changes in connected speech

Practice Methods:

• Shadow native speakers (repeat after audio)
• Use pronunciation apps and tools
• Practice with tongue twisters
• Get feedback from teachers or native speakers

Common Pronunciation Issues:

• Confusing similar sounds (zh/ch/sh, j/q/x)
• Tone errors (especially 2nd and 3rd tones)
• Final sounds (n/ng, r)
• Retroflex sounds (zh, ch, sh, r)

2. Fluency Development

Practice Speaking Daily:

• Speak Chinese out loud every day
• Describe your daily activities
• Narrate what you're doing
• Practice thinking in Chinese

Reduce Hesitations:

• Use filler words appropriately (那个, 嗯)
• Practice common phrases and expressions
• Build confidence through repetition
• Don't be afraid of mistakes

Improve Pace:

• Practice speaking at natural speed
• Don't rush or speak too slowly
• Find your comfortable speaking pace
• Practice with time limits

3. Vocabulary and Grammar Practice

Expand Active Vocabulary:

• Learn words you can actually use in speech
• Practice using new words in sentences
• Focus on high-frequency vocabulary
• Learn collocations and common phrases

Grammar Practice:

• Practice common sentence patterns
• Use grammar in speaking, not just writing
• Practice forming sentences quickly
• Focus on accuracy, not complexity

Common Topics to Prepare:

• Personal introduction
• Daily activities
• Hobbies and interests
• Family and friends
• Work and study
• Travel and experiences
• Opinions and preferences
• Plans and goals

4. Test-Specific Practice

For Listen and Repeat:

• Practice shadowing audio materials
• Focus on accurate pronunciation and tones
• Practice with sentences of appropriate length
• Record yourself and compare

For Picture Description:

• Practice describing pictures in Chinese
• Use structured approach (what, where, who, when, why)
• Practice time management (2 minutes)
• Build vocabulary for descriptions

For Answer Questions:

• Practice answering common question types
• Structure your answers (introduction, body, conclusion)
• Practice with time limits
• Prepare answers for common topics

Common Topics and Questions

Beginner Level Topics

Personal Information:

• Introduce yourself
• Talk about your family
• Describe your daily routine
• Talk about your hobbies

Daily Life:

• Shopping and eating
• Transportation
• Weather and seasons
• Time and dates

Sample Questions:

• 你叫什么名字？(What's your name?)
• 你做什么工作？(What do you do for work?)
• 你喜欢什么运动？(What sports do you like?)
• 你周末做什么？(What do you do on weekends?)

Intermediate Level Topics

Social Situations:

• Making plans with friends
• Discussing movies or books
• Talking about travel experiences
• Expressing opinions

Sample Questions:

• 你觉得学习中文难吗？(Do you think learning Chinese is difficult?)
• 你最喜欢的城市是哪里？为什么？(What's your favorite city? Why?)
• 你觉得网络购物怎么样？(What do you think about online shopping?)

Advanced Level Topics

Abstract Topics:

• Education and learning
• Technology and society
• Environment and sustainability
• Culture and traditions

Sample Questions:

• 你认为教育最重要的目标是什么？(What do you think is the most important goal of education?)
• 科技发展对生活有什么影响？(What impact does technological development have on life?)
• 如何保护环境？(How to protect the environment?)

Pronunciation Tips

Master the Four Tones

First Tone (High Level): 妈 (mā) - mother

• Maintain high, level pitch
• Practice with: 一, 三, 七

Second Tone (Rising): 麻 (má) - hemp

• Start mid, rise to high
• Practice with: 二, 十, 人

Third Tone (Low-Dipping): 马 (mǎ) - horse

• Start mid, dip low, rise
• Practice with: 我, 好, 你

Fourth Tone (Falling): 骂 (mà) - scold

• Start high, fall sharply
• Practice with: 四, 去, 是

Tone Changes

Third Tone Sandhi:

• When two 3rd tones meet, first becomes 2nd tone
• 你好 (nǐ hǎo) → sounds like (ní hǎo)

一 (yī) Tone Changes:

• Before 1st, 2nd, 3rd tones: becomes 4th tone (yì)
• Before 4th tone: becomes 2nd tone (yí)

不 (bù) Tone Changes:

• Before 4th tone: becomes 2nd tone (bú)
• 不对 (bú duì) not (bù duì)

Common Pronunciation Challenges

Similar Sounds:

• zh/ch/sh vs j/q/x
• n vs ng (final sounds)
• r sound (retroflex)

Practice Methods:

• Minimal pairs practice
• Tongue position awareness
• Record and compare
• Get native speaker feedback

Recording Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Daily Recording

Practice: Record yourself speaking Chinese for 5 minutes daily

Topics:

• Describe your day
• Talk about your plans
• Express your opinions
• Narrate a story

Benefits:

• Builds speaking confidence
• Improves fluency
• Identifies problem areas
• Tracks progress

Exercise 2: Shadowing Practice

Practice: Listen to audio and repeat immediately

Materials:

• HSK listening materials
• Chinese podcasts
• News broadcasts
• Dialogues from textbooks

Benefits:

• Improves pronunciation
• Develops natural rhythm
• Enhances listening skills
• Builds vocabulary

Exercise 3: Picture Description

Practice: Describe pictures in Chinese

Structure:

1. Overview (what you see)
2. Details (specific elements)
3. Actions (what's happening)
4. Your thoughts or opinions

Time: Practice with 2-minute time limits

Exercise 4: Question Answering

Practice: Answer questions on various topics

Structure:

1. Direct answer
2. Explanation or example
3. Personal experience (if relevant)
4. Conclusion or summary

Time: Practice with time limits matching test format

Resources for Speaking Practice

Apps and Tools

HSK Lord:

• Vocabulary with audio pronunciation
• Example sentences for context
• Practice vocabulary for speaking

HelloTalk / Tandem:

• Language exchange with native speakers
• Voice message practice
• Real conversation practice

Pleco:

• Dictionary with audio
• Example sentences
• Character recognition

Online Resources

ChinesePod:

• Podcast lessons with transcripts
• Pronunciation practice
• Conversation examples

iTalki / Preply:

• Online Chinese tutors
• Speaking practice sessions
• Personalized feedback

YouTube Channels:

• Chinese learning channels
• Native speaker content
• Pronunciation tutorials

Practice Materials

HSKK Practice Tests:

• Official practice materials
• Sample questions and answers
• Test format familiarization

Textbooks:

• HSK Standard Course (speaking sections)
• Conversation practice books
• Pronunciation guides

Test Day Tips

Before the Test

1. Practice pronunciation - Warm up your mouth and voice
2. Review common topics - Refresh vocabulary for likely topics
3. Get good rest - Be well-rested and alert
4. Arrive early - Give yourself time to settle
5. Stay calm - Nervousness affects pronunciation and fluency

During the Test

Listen Carefully:

• Pay attention to pronunciation in listen-and-repeat
• Note tone patterns and intonation
• Don't rush to answer

Speak Clearly:

• Enunciate clearly
• Don't speak too fast or too slow
• Maintain natural pace

Manage Time:

• Use preparation time effectively
• Structure your answers
• Don't exceed time limits

Stay Calm:

• If you make a mistake, continue
• Don't panic or stop speaking
• Focus on communication, not perfection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Speaking too fast - Rushing leads to pronunciation errors
2. Speaking too slowly - Shows lack of confidence
3. Ignoring tones - Tones are crucial for meaning
4. Long pauses - Shows lack of fluency
5. Overthinking - Trust your preparation and speak naturally

Conclusion

The HSK speaking test requires dedicated practice in pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary usage. Focus on daily speaking practice, master the four tones, expand your active vocabulary, and practice test-specific formats. With consistent practice and the right strategies, you can succeed on the HSK speaking test.

Remember: speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes—they're part of learning. Focus on communication and clarity, and your speaking ability will improve over time.

Ready to improve your Chinese speaking? Start learning vocabulary with HSK Lord and practice pronunciation with our audio examples.

FAQ

Is the HSK speaking test required?

No, the HSK speaking test (HSKK) is separate from the written HSK exam. You can take written HSK without taking the speaking test. However, many universities and employers prefer candidates who have passed both.

How is the HSK speaking test scored?

The test is scored on three criteria: Pronunciation (30 points), Fluency (30 points), and Vocabulary/Grammar (40 points). Total score is 100 points, passing score is 60 points.

Can I prepare for the speaking test alone?

Yes, you can practice alone using recording, shadowing, and self-practice. However, getting feedback from teachers or native speakers is highly recommended for pronunciation and fluency improvement.

How long should I practice speaking daily?

Aim for at least 15-30 minutes of speaking practice daily. Consistency is more important than duration. Even 10 minutes daily is better than 1 hour once a week.

What's the hardest part of the speaking test?

Many students find pronunciation and tones the most challenging, especially tone accuracy. Fluency and reducing hesitations are also common difficulties.

Should I focus on accent or communication?

Focus on communication first. Clear pronunciation and accurate tones are important, but being understood is the primary goal. A slight accent is acceptable if pronunciation is clear.

How do I improve my Chinese accent?

Practice shadowing native speakers, focus on tone accuracy, get feedback from native speakers, and practice regularly. Improvement takes time and consistent effort.

Can I use notes during the test?

No, you cannot use notes during the HSK speaking test. The test is designed to assess your spontaneous speaking ability. Preparation time is provided for some sections.

What if I don't understand a question?

If you don't understand, you can ask for clarification in Chinese if allowed, or do your best to answer based on what you understood. It's better to attempt an answer than to remain silent.

How many times can I retake the speaking test?

You can retake the HSK speaking test as many times as needed. There are no restrictions on retaking the exam. Many students take it multiple times to improve their scores.

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• HSK Test Prep Complete Guide
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