Many Chinese language learners are aware of the HSK but unsure about HSKK — the spoken companion exam. Understanding the difference, the relationship between the two, and which qualifications your specific goals require is essential for efficient preparation.
What Is the HSK?
The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) tests written Chinese proficiency across six levels. It covers Listening, Reading, and Writing (from Level 3). The exam is computer-based or paper-based and does not test spoken output. Your score certifies your ability to understand and produce written Mandarin.
What Is the HSKK?
The Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi (HSKK) is the spoken Chinese proficiency test. It has three levels: Beginner (初级), Intermediate (中级), and Advanced (高级). The exam requires you to repeat sentences, answer questions, and give a prepared short talk. It is taken separately from the HSK and produces a separate certificate.
Are the Two Exams Connected?
No — they are entirely independent. You do not need to hold an HSK certificate to sit HSKK, and vice versa. However, they are designed to be complementary. HSK 4 and HSKK Intermediate target roughly the same proficiency level (CEFR B2). Many university admissions offices that require HSK 4 also recommend or require HSKK Intermediate to demonstrate rounded language ability.
Who Needs HSKK?
HSKK is specifically required by some Chinese universities for degree programmes taught in Mandarin, some government scholarship applications (including the Chinese Government Scholarship), and teaching certification programmes. If your goal is only to demonstrate reading and writing ability for employment, HSK alone may suffice. Check the exact requirements of your target institution or employer.
How Is HSKK Scored?
HSKK Beginner has 30 questions, scored out of 100, with a pass mark of 60. Intermediate has 27 questions, scored out of 100, pass at 60. Advanced has 24 questions, scored out of 100, pass at 60. The exam is not marked in real time — you record your responses and they are scored by certified raters.
Preparing for HSKK Alongside HSK
HSKK preparation overlaps significantly with HSK listening and vocabulary study, but adds a spoken output component. The most important additional practice for HSKK is speaking aloud — read dialogues and passages aloud, practise answering common questions in Chinese, and record yourself regularly to assess fluency and accuracy.
When to Sit Both
If you are applying to a Chinese university and need to demonstrate comprehensive proficiency, plan to sit HSK and HSKK at the same sitting if possible — most test centres offer both on the same day. This minimises preparation overlap and gets both qualifications efficiently.
Ready to practise for HSK? Take a full-length HSK mock test at LanguageTest.in — AI-graded, timed, and structured exactly like the real exam.
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