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.

Did HSK 4 change under HSK 3.0?

Yes. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 covered about 1,200 words on a six-level scale. Under HSK 3.0, HSK 4 becomes the entry level of the Intermediate band, its cumulative vocabulary climbs past 3,000 words, and registration pairs you with a speaking test. It is a real step up from the old Level 4.

How many words does HSK 4 have now?

Over 3,000 words in total under HSK 3.0: everything from HSK 1 to 3 plus 972 new ones. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 sat near 1,200 words, so the vocabulary load rose sharply. You can practice the new words at HSK 4 vocabulary.

Is writing new at HSK 4?

No. The scored writing (书写) section was introduced back at HSK 3, and the old HSK 4 tested writing too. What changes under HSK 3.0 is scope - the HSK 4 prompts are longer and expect a fuller answer. Practice it at HSK 4 writing practice.

Is my old HSK 4 certificate still valid?

An HSK certificate you already hold stays valid as a record of your result, and institutions often treat scores as current for about two years. New tests use the HSK 3.0 standard, so if you study or re-sit now, prepare with the larger 3.0 syllabus and the paired speaking test, not the old 1,200-word Level 4.

News

HSK 4 Under HSK 3.0: Vocabulary, the Intermediate Band, and Speaking

June 18, 20266 min read

Under the HSK 3.0 standard, HSK 4 is redrawn as the entry level of the Intermediate band. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 was an upper rung of a six-level ladder built on about 1,200 words. The new HSK 4 anchors a nine-level scale, covers far more vocabulary, and pairs registration with a speaking test.

If your textbooks predate the reform, or you last looked at HSK 4 a few years back, here is what actually shifted and how it should reshape your prep.

HSK 4: old standard vs new standard

Feature	HSK 4 (old 2.0)	HSK 4 (new 3.0)
Total vocabulary	~1,200 words	over 3,000 words
Level system	6 levels	9 levels (3 bands)
Band	Mid-ladder	Intermediate (entry, levels 4 to 6)
Speaking	Separate, optional	Paired HSK Speaking test
Writing (书写)	Scored section	Scored section, longer prompts
Passing score	180 / 300	180 / 300

1. Vocabulary: about 1,200 to over 3,000 words

The most visible change is the word count. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 set the bar near 1,200 words. HSK 3.0 pushes the cumulative total past 3,000: on MyHSK4 that means 972 new words on top of everything from HSK 1 to 3. That is a big lift for a single level name.

The extra words also reach further into abstract territory: the economy, the workplace, personality, opinions, and cause and effect. HSK 4 is where you stop naming everyday objects and start discussing ideas.

2. HSK 4 becomes the gateway to Intermediate

The old HSK had six levels. HSK 3.0 rebuilds the system into nine levels grouped in three bands: Elementary (levels 1 to 3), Intermediate (4 to 6), and Advanced (7 to 9). HSK 4 now sits at the bottom of the Intermediate band - the first level that certifies you can work with the language, not just survive in it.

Across the whole scale the vocabulary roughly doubled, from about 5,000 words to over 11,000, and the levels were aligned more closely with international frameworks like the CEFR. Counting is cumulative, so HSK 4 includes everything from HSK 1 to 3.

3. Speaking becomes a paired requirement

Under HSK 3.0, signing up for HSK 3 or above also enrolls you in the separate HSK Speaking test - a short spoken exam taken apart from the written paper. At HSK 4 this is a firm requirement rather than the optional add-on it was under the old standard.

In practice, that means preparing four skills. Listening, reading, and writing carry over from HSK 3; the paired speaking test needs its own rehearsal time so it does not sneak up on you at registration.

4. The writing section grows up

Writing is not new here - the scored Writing (书写) section was introduced back at HSK 3, and the old HSK 4 tested writing too. What changes at HSK 4 under HSK 3.0 is scope: the prompts are longer and expect a fuller answer than a single tidy line.

That keeps handwriting a graded skill. Correct characters, reasonable stroke order, and clear structure earn points directly. The HSK 4 writing hub drills each character with Watch, Trace, and Recall, so the right stroke order becomes automatic and longer compositions feel predictable instead of intimidating.

The level is still called HSK 4, but under HSK 3.0 it now opens the Intermediate band - and asks you to discuss ideas, not just describe daily life.

What it means for how you study

Use current material. Study the HSK 3.0 syllabus for HSK 4, not an old 1,200-word Level 4 one. Older textbooks and apps leave big vocabulary gaps.
Get comfortable with abstraction. Practice the words for opinions, work, and money until they feel as natural as the concrete vocabulary below.
Rehearse speaking. Since the paired HSK Speaking test is required, practice speaking short answers aloud, not just reading them.

You can practice the full HSK 3.0 word set for HSK 4, with flashcards, grammar drills, writing, and mock exams, at HSK 4 vocabulary. If you are coming from the level below, review it at myhsk3.com.

Study for HSK 4 under 3.0

Practice the 972 new HSK 4 words, plus writing and speaking practice built for the HSK 3.0 standard. Free after a quick sign in.

Start HSK 4 vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

Did HSK 4 change under HSK 3.0?: Yes. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 covered about 1,200 words on a six-level scale. Under HSK 3.0, HSK 4 becomes the entry level of the Intermediate band, its cumulative vocabulary climbs past 3,000 words, and registration pairs you with a speaking test. It is a real step up from the old Level 4.
How many words does HSK 4 have now?: Over 3,000 words in total under HSK 3.0: everything from HSK 1 to 3 plus 972 new ones. The old HSK 2.0 Level 4 sat near 1,200 words, so the vocabulary load rose sharply. You can practice the new words at HSK 4 vocabulary.
Is writing new at HSK 4?: No. The scored writing (书写) section was introduced back at HSK 3, and the old HSK 4 tested writing too. What changes under HSK 3.0 is scope - the HSK 4 prompts are longer and expect a fuller answer. Practice it at HSK 4 writing practice.
Is my old HSK 4 certificate still valid?: An HSK certificate you already hold stays valid as a record of your result, and institutions often treat scores as current for about two years. New tests use the HSK 3.0 standard, so if you study or re-sit now, prepare with the larger 3.0 syllabus and the paired speaking test, not the old 1,200-word Level 4.
What band is HSK 4 in?: The Intermediate band. HSK 3.0 groups nine levels into three bands: Elementary (levels 1 to 3), Intermediate (4 to 6), and Advanced (7 to 9). HSK 4 sits at the bottom of the Intermediate band.