The HSK 4 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the first advanced-intermediate level in the Chinese proficiency test series. It tests your ability to discuss abstract topics, understand longer conversations, and read Chinese newspapers or magazines with ease. This page breaks down the official HSK 4 syllabus section by section, gives you realistic weightage estimates, and shares focused study tips for each part.
HSK 4 Exam Overview
- Total score: 300 (pass mark ~180, but verify with your test centre)
- Sections: Listening (100 marks), Reading (100 marks), Writing (100 marks)
- Duration: 100 minutes (plus 5-minute break)
- Vocabulary required: 1,200 words (including HSK 1–3 words)
- Grammar points: ~100 key structures
All questions are in Chinese characters (simplified). Pinyin is not provided. The exam is administered in paper-based and computer-based formats.
Listening Section (≈35% weightage)
Duration: ~30 minutes | Questions: 45
Sub-sections
- Part 1: 10 questions — Listen to a short sentence and choose the correct picture.
- Part 2: 15 questions — Listen to a dialogue and answer true/false.
- Part 3: 20 questions — Listen to longer conversations or monologues and select the correct answer.
What’s tested
- Understanding main ideas and details in everyday conversations (work, travel, health, education)
- Inferring speaker attitude or intention
- Following multi-step instructions
Study tips
- Listen to Chinese podcasts (e.g., Slow Chinese, ChinesePod) daily — aim for 15–20 minutes.
- Practice with HSK 4 mock tests to get used to the speed (native pace, not slowed down).
- Focus on distinguishing similar-sounding tones (e.g., mā vs. má) — use tone-pair drills.
Reading Section (≈35% weightage)
Duration: ~35 minutes | Questions: 40
Sub-sections
- Part 1: 10 questions — Fill in blanks with correct words (cloze-style).
- Part 2: 10 questions — Read a short passage and answer true/false.
- Part 3: 20 questions — Read longer passages (200–400 characters) and answer multiple-choice.
What’s tested
- Vocabulary in context (synonyms, collocations)
- Understanding logical connectors (因为…所以, 虽然…但是, 不仅…而且)
- Skimming and scanning for specific information
- Grasping the author’s argument or conclusion
Study tips
- Read Chinese news headlines daily (e.g., The Beijing News, China Daily Lite).
- Build a vocabulary notebook — group words by theme (e.g., environment, technology).
- Practice timed reading: set a timer for 5 minutes per passage.
Take a free HSK 4 demo mock to find out where you stand: Try the demo →
Writing Section (≈30% weightage)
Duration: ~25 minutes | Questions: 15
Sub-sections
- Part 1: 10 questions — Rearrange given words into a correct sentence.
- Part 2: 5 questions — Write a short paragraph (80–100 characters) based on a picture or prompt.
What’s tested
- Word order and sentence structure (e.g., 把 construction, passive voice)
- Cohesion (using 然后, 可是, 因为 etc.)
- Ability to express an opinion or describe a sequence of events
Study tips
- Practice sentence rearrangement daily — write 5 scrambled sentences and solve them.
- For paragraph writing, use a template: introduce the situation → describe details → give your opinion.
- Get your writing checked by a tutor or use language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem).
Key Grammar Points for HSK 4
- 把 (bǎ) sentences
- 被 (bèi) passive voice
- 除了…以外 (chúle…yǐwài) — besides/except
- 连…都/也 (lián…dōu/yě) — even
- 不仅…而且 (bùjǐn…érqiě) — not only…but also
- 越…越 (yuè…yuè) — the more…the more
- 既然…就 (jìrán…jiù) — since…then
- Result complements (e.g., 做完, 听懂)
- Directional complements (e.g., 进来, 出去)
How to Prepare for HSK 4 in 8 Weeks
- 1Week 1–2: Review HSK 1–3 vocabulary (600 words). Start listening to 10-minute Chinese audio daily.
- 2Week 3–4: Learn the 600 new HSK 4 words. Focus on 20 words/day with example sentences.
- 3Week 5–6: Practice reading comprehension — 2 passages per day. Begin timed writing exercises.
- 4Week 7: Take full-length mock tests every 2 days. Identify weak areas.
- 5Week 8: Review mistakes, redo grammar drills, and take 2 final mocks.
See HSK 4 mock-test packs and pricing: View plans →
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring listening speed: Audio is played only once. Train with materials at natural speed.
- Memorising words in isolation: Always learn words in phrases or sentences.
- Skipping writing practice: Handwriting is required for paper-based test — practice writing characters by hand.
- Not managing time: In the reading section, don’t spend more than 2 minutes per question.