Dear Students,
Panda Education has received official internal notification from Chinese Testing International (CTI) regarding the transition of the HSK examination system.
From now until 31 October 2026, all HSK test centers in Shanghai will continue to administer examinations based on the HSK 2.0 syllabus.
There are significant differences between HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0:
- Level structure: HSK 2.0 has a six‑level system, while HSK 3.0 has been upgraded to a new "Three Stages, Nine Levels" framework.
- Vocabulary requirements: HSK 2.0 requires approximately 5,000 words, whereas HSK 3.0 requires up to 11,000 words.
- Test content: HSK 2.0 primarily tests listening and reading; HSK 3.0 covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, and (at higher levels) translation.
Given the substantial differences between the two versions, we strongly recommend that students currently preparing for HSK 2.0 examinations register and take the test before 31 October 2026, to avoid any disruption to your preparation plans and test results due to the version transition.
Please plan your preparation schedule accordingly. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Panda Education
12 August 2026