HSKK · Chinese Speaking Test
HSKK Speaking Test: free online mock exam & complete guide
The HSKK (汉语水平口语考试) is the official spoken Chinese exam. This guide covers the three levels, the exam structure, timing, the pass mark and how it is scored — then lets you sit a full-length mock test for free and get an instant AI diagnostic report.
Take a free HSKK mock test →Full length · records your answers · instant AI report · 16 languages · no signup to start.
What is the HSKK?
The HSKK is the official Chinese Speaking Test, run alongside the written HSK. Your spoken answers are recorded and graded. All instructions are spoken in Chinese, including three unscored warm-up questions (your name, nationality and seat number). HSKK results are valid for 2 years.
HSK vs HSKK: what's the difference?
HSK tests listening, reading and writing; HSKK (汉语水平口语考试) tests speaking only, through recorded responses. They are separate exams. There are three HSKK levels — Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced — aligned with HSK 1–2, HSK 3–4 and HSK 5–6.
HSKK levels at a glance
| Level | Aligned HSK | Parts | Total time | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSKK Beginner (初级) | HSK 1–2 | Listen and Repeat ×15, Listen and Answer ×10, Answer Questions ×2 | ~20 minutes (incl. 7 min prep) | 60/100 |
| HSKK Intermediate (中级) | HSK 3–4 | Listen and Repeat ×10, Describe a Picture ×2, Answer Questions ×2 | ~23 minutes (incl. 10 min prep) | 60/100 |
| HSKK Advanced (高级) | HSK 5–6 | Listen and Retell ×3, Read Aloud ×1, Answer Questions ×2 | ~25 minutes (incl. 10 min prep) | 60/100 |
Choose your level
HSKK Beginner (初级)
HSK 1–2
The entry-level spoken Chinese exam, aligned with HSK 1–2. It focuses on repeating short sentences and answering simple questions.
HSKK Intermediate (中级)
HSK 3–4
The mid-level spoken Chinese exam, aligned with HSK 3–4. It adds describing a picture and giving longer answers on everyday topics.
HSKK Advanced (高级)
HSK 5–6
The top-level spoken Chinese exam, aligned with HSK 5–6. It tests retelling what you heard, reading aloud, and building a structured spoken argument.
How the HSKK is scored
Officially, graders rate each task type as High / Mid / Low; the total is out of 100 and 60 is a pass. Unanswered questions score 0, and the official part weights are not published.
The pass mark is 60 out of 100 (at every level). Most real requirements — for example, Chinese Government Scholarship applications — ask for HSKK 60, not a higher score.
How to prepare for the HSKK
- Start speaking right after the beep. Your answers are recorded and graded. A long silence at the start can eat into your response and hurt your score — begin within a couple of seconds, then keep going.
- Listening plays only once. Listen-and-repeat, listen-and-answer and listen-and-retell each play a single time. Practise holding a whole sentence in memory rather than word-by-word.
- Use the shared prep time wisely. Beginner gives 7 minutes and Intermediate/Advanced give 10 minutes of preparation, shared across the later parts — plan your picture description and question answers before recording starts.
- Practise with a real timer. Answer windows are strict (e.g. 10 seconds per repeat sentence, 2 minutes to describe a picture). Rehearse against a timer so the pace feels natural on exam day.
Practise free with TalkHSK
TalkHSK runs a full-length HSKK mock exam in your browser that follows the official structure and timing. You record your spoken answers and get an instant AI diagnostic report — pronunciation, tones, fluency and completeness, with per-question feedback so you know exactly what to fix.
Start your free mock test →Related guides
HSK vs HSKK: what's the difference? · HSKK exam tips: how to prepare and pass · Describe a picture: sample answer · Answer questions: sample answers
HSKK FAQ
What is the HSKK?
The HSKK (汉语水平口语考试) is the official spoken Chinese proficiency test — the speaking counterpart to the written HSK. Your spoken answers are recorded and graded.
What is the difference between HSK and HSKK?
HSK tests listening, reading and writing; HSKK (汉语水平口语考试) tests speaking only, through recorded responses. They are separate exams.
How many HSKK levels are there?
Three: Beginner (初级), Intermediate (中级) and Advanced (高级), aligned with HSK 1–2, HSK 3–4 and HSK 5–6 respectively.
What score do I need to pass the HSKK?
You need 60 out of 100 to pass, at every level. Unanswered questions are scored 0. Most real requirements (for example, Chinese Government Scholarship applications) ask for HSKK 60, not higher.
How is the HSKK scored?
Officially, graders rate each task type as High / Mid / Low; the total is out of 100 and 60 is a pass. Unanswered questions score 0, and the official part weights are not published.
How can I practise HSKK speaking for free?
Take a free full-length HSKK mock test on TalkHSK: pick your level, record your answers in the browser, and get an instant AI diagnostic report on pronunciation, tones, fluency and completeness. It is available in 16 interface languages.
Is the TalkHSK score an official HSKK result?
No. TalkHSK gives an AI-estimated score for practice only — it is not an official judgment. Use it to find and fix weak spots before the real exam.
TalkHSK is an independent practice tool. Scores are AI estimates for practice only and are not official HSKK results. Exam structure and timing follow the official HSKK format; always check the official exam site for the latest rules.