Key dates from the notice
| Item | Date / time | Candidate action |
|---|---|---|
| Exam date | September 20, 2026 | Confirm local test-center availability. |
| Paper-based registration | August 3, 2026 09:00 – August 24, 2026 24:00 (Beijing time) | Register earlier if choosing paper-based format. |
| Internet-based registration | August 3, 2026 09:00 – September 10, 2026 24:00 (Beijing time) | Check center capacity before the final day. |
| Registration site | www.chinesetest.cn | Use the official registration channel. |
Exam levels and start times
The notice lists HSK Levels 1–6, with speaking sections paired from Level 3 upward. Start times are local test-center time.
| Subject | Start | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| HSK Level 1 | 14:00 | about 40 minutes |
| HSK Level 2 | 09:00 | about 60 minutes |
| HSK Level 3 written | 14:00 | about 83 minutes |
| HSK Level 3 speaking | 16:20 | about 15 minutes |
| HSK Level 4 written | 09:00 | about 85 minutes |
| HSK Level 4 speaking | 11:30 | about 20 minutes |
| HSK Level 5 written | 14:00 | about 110 minutes |
| HSK Level 5 speaking | 16:20 | about 23 minutes |
| HSK Level 6 written | 09:00 | about 125 minutes |
| HSK Level 6 speaking | 11:30 | about 23 minutes |
Fees, score release and limits
The notice says the HSK 3.0 trial fee structure is equivalent to the current HSK 2.0 structure. Level 1 and Level 2 fees remain unchanged, and exact prices should be checked at the local test center.
Score release is expected about 15 days after an internet-based exam and about 30 days after a paper-based exam, with possible delays around legal holidays. Scores are valid for two years. The notice also says this trial does not provide a diagnostic report.
What this notice does not prove
- It does not mean every regular HSK date has switched to HSK 3.0.
- It does not replace the version shown on your own booking page.
- It does not give one global fee; local test centers still confirm exact prices.
- It does not provide a diagnostic report for this trial, according to the notice summary.
Should you take this trial?
The trial is useful if your school, scholarship, employer or personal plan needs alignment with the new HSK 3.0 direction. If you already booked a regular current-format HSK date, follow the version shown on your own booking first.
How to prepare now
- Confirm your target version: current HSK 1–6 or the HSK 3.0 trial.
- Review the HSK exam format and question types.
- Practice timing with a free HSK mock test.
- Compare vocabulary with the HSK vocabulary compare tool.
- Check exam fees and registration steps before booking.
Frequently asked questions
When is the second HSK 3.0 global trial exam?
The notice schedules the second HSK 3.0 global trial exam for September 20, 2026.
When does HSK 3.0 trial registration open?
Registration opens on August 3, 2026. Paper-based and internet-based registration deadlines are different, so candidates should check the format they choose.
Is this the same as every regular 2026 HSK exam?
No. This page summarizes a specific HSK 3.0 trial notice. Regular test dates may still use the established six-level format unless the booking explicitly names HSK 3.0.
How should I prepare for the HSK 3.0 trial?
Confirm the target version, read the exam-format guide, practice timing with mock tests, and compare vocabulary against HSK 3.0 before booking.