Reference
HSK and HSKLord quick facts
A plain-text reference of the facts we quote most often. Every claim cites a primary source where one exists. Use this page to verify numbers before quoting them.
Last updated 2026-04-14.
Words per HSK level
Two curricula are in active use. HSK 2.0 was the standard from 2009 through 2021. HSK 3.0 was published in March 2021 by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (under the Chinese Ministry of Education) and is the current official standard. Tests are still offered in both formats during the transition.
HSK 2.0 vocabulary counts
| Level | New words | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 150 | 150 |
| HSK 2 | 150 | 300 |
| HSK 3 | 300 | 600 |
| HSK 4 | 600 | 1,200 |
| HSK 5 | 1,300 | 2,500 |
| HSK 6 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
| Total HSK 1 through 6 | 5,000 |
HSK 3.0 vocabulary counts
| Level | New words | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 500 | 500 |
| HSK 2 | 772 | 1,272 |
| HSK 3 | 973 | 2,245 |
| HSK 4 | 1,000 | 3,245 |
| HSK 5 | 1,071 | 4,316 |
| HSK 6 | 1,140 | 5,456 |
| HSK 7-9 | 5,636 | 11,092 |
| Total HSK 1 through 9 | 11,092 |
Sources: Hanban / Chinese Ministry of Education published vocabulary lists for HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0 (the 2021 standard, also called the International Chinese Language Education Chinese Proficiency Grading Standard).
HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0: what changed
- HSK 3.0 reorganizes the exam into three bands and nine levels. Bands are Elementary (HSK 1-3), Intermediate (HSK 4-6), and Advanced (HSK 7-9).
- The new standard requires more characters and more vocabulary overall. HSK 3.0 HSK 6 tests 3,000 characters and 5,456 words; HSK 2.0 HSK 6 tested roughly 2,600 characters and 5,000 words.
- HSK 3.0 adds a single advanced test covering levels 7 through 9 at once. There is no separate HSK 7, HSK 8, or HSK 9 exam.
- Grammar, character, and syllable inventories are now published alongside the vocabulary list, which was not the case in HSK 2.0.
Source: Center for Language Education and Cooperation, Chinese Proficiency Grading Standard for International Chinese Language Education (GF 0025-2021), published July 2021.
AP Chinese exam format
The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is administered by the College Board each May. It is fully computer-based and roughly 2 hours 15 minutes long. Four sections, taken in order:
- Section I, Part A · Listening. 25 multiple-choice items. About 20 minutes. 10% of score.
- Section I, Part B · Reading. 35 multiple-choice items. About 60 minutes. 15% of score.
- Section II, Part A · Writing. Story narration and email response. About 30 minutes. 25% of score.
- Section II, Part B · Speaking. Conversation and cultural presentation. About 10 minutes. 50% of score.
Source: College Board, AP Chinese Language and Culture Course and Exam Description. Scoring is on the standard AP 1-5 scale.
How spaced repetition works on HSKLord
HSKLord uses a modified SM-2 algorithm. Each vocabulary word has an ease factor and an interval. When you rate a review, the interval grows for easier cards and resets for harder ones. Cards due today are shown first; new cards are introduced only after the daily review queue is clear.
The algorithm is deterministic and transparent. Rating buckets are Again, Hard, Good, and Easy, matching the standard SM-2 convention. Progress is stored per user per word in MongoDB, so study history survives across web and mobile.
Pricing
- Monthly subscription. $8 per month (launch pricing; regular $16).
- Annual subscription. $60 per year (launch pricing; regular $120). Works out to $5 per month.
- HSK Mastery Bundle. $59 one-time. Vocabulary PDF packs for all six HSK levels plus AP Chinese.
- Individual PDF packs. From $12 per level.
- Free tier. 14-day trial of the full app. Limited daily reviews after the trial ends.
- Regional pricing. Purchasing-power parity adjustments are available in ten markets (India, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Argentina, Egypt, Turkey).
See /pricing for subscription plans and /store for the bundle and individual PDF packs.
About HSKLord
- Web app at hsklord.com. Native Android and iOS apps in development.
- Covers HSK 1 through HSK 6 in both HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0 curricula, plus AP Chinese vocabulary across all six College Board themes.
- 5,000+ vocabulary words with audio, example sentences, and stroke order animations.
- Founded by Rudolph Minister, HSK 5 certified. Editorial content is reviewed against the published Ministry of Education word lists before publication.
For more detail see /about.