New HSK 1 Under HSK 3.0: What Changed & How to Prepare
HSK 1 just got bigger — 300 words instead of 150. But with no handwriting required, it is still the most accessible entry point into Chinese proficiency testing.
Last updated: February 2026
Under HSK 3.0, HSK 1 requires 300 words (doubled from 150 in HSK 2.0). The good news: no handwriting is required — only character recognition and pinyin input. The exam format remains similar with 40 questions in 40 minutes.
What is HSK 1 Under HSK 3.0?
HSK 1 is the entry-level exam in the new HSK 3.0 system, corresponding to CEFR A1 (beginner). It sits in the Elementary stage alongside HSK 2 and HSK 3. The goal at this level is basic survival Chinese — greetings, introductions, simple questions, numbers, dates, and everyday phrases.
Under the new system, HSK 1 requires you to know 300 words and recognize approximately 200 characters. The exam tests listening and reading only — no writing section and no speaking test. You do not need to produce characters by hand at all.
What Changed from HSK 2.0?
The most visible change is the vocabulary count: 300 words, up from 150. That is a 100% increase. But the changes go deeper than just numbers.
| Feature | HSK 2.0 | HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | 150 words | 300 words |
| Characters | ~170 | ~200 (recognition only) |
| Handwriting | Required (~90 characters) | Not required |
| Exam length | 40 questions, 40 min | 40 questions, 40 min |
| Speaking test | None | None |
Notable Vocabulary Additions
The expanded word list is not just "more of the same." Several categories of words have been pulled down from higher levels to make HSK 1 more practical:
- Separable verbs: 看病 (see a doctor) and 生病 (fall ill) — practical medical vocabulary that beginners need
- Interrogative/demonstrative pronouns: 哪里 (where), 哪些 (which ones), 那里 (there), 那些 (those), 有的 (some), 有些 (some)
- Adverbs from old HSK 2: 真 (really), 有一点儿 (a little bit), 再 (again) — these let beginners express nuance earlier
- Daily life vocabulary: Words for shopping, weather, directions, and basic descriptions that make the level more immediately useful
Key takeaway: While the word count doubled, the removal of handwriting requirements significantly reduces the study burden. You need to recognize ~200 characters but only needed to handwrite ~90 under the old system — and now you do not need to handwrite any.
HSK 1 Exam Format Under 3.0
The HSK 1 exam structure remains familiar. It is divided into two main sections:
Listening (4 sections)
- Listen and choose the correct picture
- Listen and decide if the statement matches the picture
- Listen to a short dialogue and answer a question
- Listen and match the dialogue to the correct response
Reading (4 sections)
- Match words to pictures
- Match sentences to pictures
- Choose the correct answer to complete a sentence
- Match questions with appropriate answers
Total: 40 questions in 40 minutes. You need 120 out of 200 points (60%) to pass. The questions draw from the updated 300-word vocabulary list, and all reading materials include pinyin above the characters.
Sample HSK 1 Vocabulary (New in 3.0)
Click the cards below to reveal the pinyin and English meaning. These words are new to HSK 1 under the 3.0 system:
Try HSK 1 Flashcards
Tap a card to reveal its meaning
Study Plan: How to Prepare for HSK 1
With 300 words to learn, a focused study plan of 1-2 months at 30 minutes per day is realistic for most beginners. Here is a recommended approach:
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Learn pinyin pronunciation and tones
- Master the first 50-80 most common words
- Focus on greetings, numbers, basic question words (谁, 什么, 哪)
Weeks 3-5: Core Vocabulary
- Add 15-20 new words per day using spaced repetition (flashcards)
- Practice listening with simple dialogues
- Start recognizing characters alongside pinyin
Weeks 6-8: Review and Practice
- Complete the full 300-word vocabulary list
- Take practice exams under timed conditions
- Focus on weak areas identified during practice
- Practice reading sentences with pinyin support
Tip: Spaced repetition is by far the most efficient way to memorize vocabulary. Tools like HSKLord automatically schedule your reviews so you spend time on words you are about to forget, not words you already know.
Free HSK 1 3.0 Vocabulary PDF
Download the complete HSK 1 3.0 word list — all 300 words with pinyin, English translations, and part-of-speech labels.
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