Free tool

What’s New in
HSK 3.0?

Compare old and new HSK word lists.
See what you already know.

Shows your coverage percentage, which words are new, and which you already know at each level. Example: old HSK 4 holders already know 55% of new HSK 4 — but 883 words are new.

What changed in HSK 3.0?

HSK 3.0 expanded the test from 6 levels to 9 and nearly doubled the vocabulary — from about 5,000 words to 10,896 unique words — with three new advanced levels (HSK 7-9). The word lists were rebuilt from scratch in the 2025 final standard, so words moved between levels, were added, and were removed. The official switch is publicly targeted for July 2026, but regular 2026 exam sessions still use HSK 2.0 until chinesetest.cn announces the transition.

For the full breakdown — level mappings, certificate validity, exam format changes, and study advice — read HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0: every change explained.

How to use the Word Diff

For existing learners, the biggest question is coverage: how much of the new standard do you already know? The answer varies by level. Old HSK 3 holders know 56% of new HSK 3, while old HSK 5 holders know 58% of new HSK 5. Across levels 1-6, between 48% and 59% of each new list is carried over from the old standard, so most learners keep more than they lose. The gaps are real but manageable.

Pick your old HSK level above to see exactly which words are new, which you already know, and your coverage percentage — then close the gap by reading graded stories at every HSK level.

Frequently asked questions

Which word lists does the diff compare?
The official HSK 2.0 word lists (the 6-level system used since 2010) against the HSK 3.0 word lists from the 2025 final standard (9 levels, 10,896 unique words). Levels are compared like-for-like: old HSK 4 against new HSK 4, and so on.
What does the coverage percentage mean?
It's the share of the new HSK 3.0 level's words that already appear in the old HSK 2.0 level you selected. For example, old HSK 4 holders already know 55% of new HSK 4 — but 883 words are new.
Does it show words that were removed in HSK 3.0?
Yes — the diff shows both directions: words new in HSK 3.0 at your level, and old HSK 2.0 words that no longer appear at that level in the new standard.