MyHSK4 is a practice platform for intermediate Mandarin Chinese learners preparing for the HSK 4 exam under the HSK 3.0 standard. It offers interactive drills and quizzes covering the 972 new Level 4 vocabulary words, grammar, listening, speaking, and writing.

Is MyHSK4 only for HSK 4 learners?

MyHSK4 covers the full HSK 3.0 Level 4 standard - 972 new words, more advanced grammar, and the listening, speaking, and writing skills the Level 4 exam tests. It builds on HSK 1 through HSK 3 for learners continuing their Mandarin Chinese.

How long are the daily drills?

Most drills and quizzes take 5 to 10 minutes. You can practice pinyin tones, vocabulary flashcards, grammar exercises, listening comprehension, or speaking dialogs in short focused sessions.

Can I practice speaking and listening?

Yes. MyHSK4 includes listening comprehension exercises with audio and interactive speaking dialog practice with pronunciation feedback.

Do I need a teacher to use MyHSK4?

No. MyHSK4 is designed for self-study with instant feedback on every drill and quiz. Teachers can also use it to assign exercises to students.

HSK 3.0 is the updated Chinese proficiency standard taking effect in July 2026. It replaces the old HSK 2.0 system and expands the vocabulary at every level. Level 4 adds 972 new words on top of Levels 1 through 3, and continues the scored writing (书写) section introduced at HSK 3 with longer, more demanding tasks. MyHSK4 is fully aligned with the HSK 3.0 Level 4 standard.

How is HSK 3.0 different from HSK 2.0?

HSK 3.0 restructures the old HSK 2.0 system and expands the vocabulary at every level. Level 4 builds on Levels 1 through 3 with 972 more words, plus more advanced grammar and a longer writing section, getting learners ready for opinion, work, and abstract topics.

Where can I take HSK practice tests online?

MyHSK4 offers six full-length HSK 3.0 Level 4 mock exams with 47 questions each, matching the official exam format. Each test includes listening, reading, and writing (书写) sections, timed at about 85 minutes, with a pass score of 180 out of 300 points. All tests use HSK 3.0 Level 1 through Level 4 vocabulary.

What is the difference between HSK 3 and HSK 4?

HSK 3 is the top of the Elementary band and covers everyday topics. HSK 4 is the first Intermediate level: it adds 972 new words and moves into abstract subjects like work, money, and opinions, with longer passages and longer writing prompts. Both share the same 300-point exam and pass at 180, but HSK 4 asks you to produce more.

How many words do you need for HSK 4?

HSK 4 adds 972 new words on top of everything from HSK 1 to 3, bringing your working total to over 3,000 words under the HSK 3.0 standard. You can practice the new words at HSK 4 vocabulary.

Should I take HSK 3 or HSK 4?

Take HSK 3 if you can handle everyday listening and reading and are still getting comfortable writing short sentences. Move up to HSK 4 once HSK 3 material feels automatic and you are ready for abstract topics and longer writing. You can review the earlier level at myhsk3.com and start HSK 4 vocabulary here.

Is HSK 4 harder than HSK 3?

Yes. HSK 4 crosses from the Elementary band into the Intermediate band, adds 972 more words, turns the vocabulary abstract, and lengthens the reading passages and writing prompts. Writing and speaking are not new here - both started at HSK 3 - but everything gets longer and less concrete.

Can I skip HSK 3 and take HSK 4 directly?

You can register for HSK 4 without sitting HSK 3, but the exam assumes the vocabulary and grammar from HSK 1 to 3. Its 972 new words build on that base, so most learners are more comfortable clearing HSK 3 first.

Exam Prep

HSK 3 vs HSK 4: Vocabulary, Abstraction, and Which to Take

June 25, 20266 min read

HSK 3 and HSK 4 sit on either side of the biggest line in the HSK 3.0 scale: the border between the Elementary and Intermediate bands. HSK 3 is the last Elementary level; HSK 4 is the first Intermediate one. The words get more abstract, the passages get longer, and the writing prompts stretch out.

If you are deciding which one to sit, the choice is really about whether you are ready to leave everyday, concrete Chinese behind and start handling opinions, plans, and reasons. Here is exactly how the two levels compare.

HSK 3 vs HSK 4 at a glance

Feature	HSK 3	HSK 4
Band (HSK 3.0)	Elementary (level 3)	Intermediate (level 4)
New words at this level	~970	972
Running total	over 2,000 words	over 3,000 words
Topics	Everyday, concrete	Abstract: work, money, opinions
Writing (书写)	Scored, short tasks	Scored, longer prompts
Speaking	Paired HSK Speaking test	Paired HSK Speaking test
Passing score	180 / 300	180 / 300

Vocabulary: the load keeps climbing and turns abstract

HSK 4 adds 972 new words on top of everything you learned through HSK 3, pushing your working vocabulary past 3,000 words. The raw count is similar to the jump into HSK 3, but the character of the words changes more.

Where HSK 3 leaned on concrete, everyday nouns, HSK 4 brings in words for the economy, the workplace, personality, and debate - 经济 (economy), 建议 (to suggest), 复杂 (complex), 尊重 (to respect). It is the kind of vocabulary you need to argue a point, not just describe a scene.

The real story: HSK 4 is where Chinese gets abstract

Both levels already make you write and speak - those skills started at HSK 3. What HSK 4 changes is the level of abstraction and the length of everything:

Longer passages. HSK 4 reading and listening run longer, built around multi-clause grammar and connectors, so you have to hold more in your head.
Longer writing prompts. The scored Writing (书写) section carries over from HSK 3, but the tasks are longer and expect a fuller answer than a single line.
Intermediate grammar. Patterns like potential complements (听得懂 / 听不懂), 不但…而且, and 越…越 reshape and connect longer sentences.
Abstract vocabulary. The 972 new words trade concrete objects for ideas: opinions, causes, methods, and results.

HSK 3 tests whether you can describe daily life. HSK 4 is the first level that tests whether you can discuss ideas.

Which level should you take?

Choose HSK 3 if you can handle everyday listening and reading and are still getting comfortable writing short sentences and taking the paired speaking test. It confirms the top of the Elementary band. You can review it at myhsk3.com.

Choose HSK 4 once HSK 3 material feels automatic and you are ready for more abstract topics and longer writing. It is the level that moves you from surviving in Chinese to discussing real subjects, and the first entry on an Intermediate resume.

You can register for HSK 4 without sitting HSK 3 first, but the exam assumes the vocabulary and grammar from HSK 1 to 3 - so most learners clear HSK 3 before moving on.

How the exams compare

Both exams share the same 300-point HSK 3.0 shell: three sections (Listening, Reading, and Writing), about 85 minutes, and a pass line of 180, plus the paired speaking test on the side. The difference is the harder vocabulary, longer passages, and longer writing prompts at HSK 4. When you are ready to bridge the gap, start with HSK 4 vocabulary.

Ready for HSK 4?

Practice the 972 new HSK 4 words with flashcards, grammar drills, writing practice, and full mock exams. Free after a quick sign in.

Start HSK 4 vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HSK 3 and HSK 4?: HSK 3 is the top of the Elementary band and covers everyday topics. HSK 4 is the first Intermediate level: it adds 972 new words and moves into abstract subjects like work, money, and opinions, with longer passages and longer writing prompts. Both share the same 300-point exam and pass at 180, but HSK 4 asks you to produce more.
How many words do you need for HSK 4?: HSK 4 adds 972 new words on top of everything from HSK 1 to 3, bringing your working total to over 3,000 words under the HSK 3.0 standard. You can practice the new words at HSK 4 vocabulary.
Should I take HSK 3 or HSK 4?: Take HSK 3 if you can handle everyday listening and reading and are still getting comfortable writing short sentences. Move up to HSK 4 once HSK 3 material feels automatic and you are ready for abstract topics and longer writing. You can review the earlier level at myhsk3.com and start HSK 4 vocabulary here.
Is HSK 4 harder than HSK 3?: Yes. HSK 4 crosses from the Elementary band into the Intermediate band, adds 972 more words, turns the vocabulary abstract, and lengthens the reading passages and writing prompts. Writing and speaking are not new here - both started at HSK 3 - but everything gets longer and less concrete.
Can I skip HSK 3 and take HSK 4 directly?: You can register for HSK 4 without sitting HSK 3, but the exam assumes the vocabulary and grammar from HSK 1 to 3. Its 972 new words build on that base, so most learners are more comfortable clearing HSK 3 first.