HSK Exam Guide HSK 2 test format: 60 questions in about 55 minutes
The HSK 2 paper has 60 questions divided into listening and reading sections. The exam takes about 55 minutes, including 5 minutes for candidates to fill in personal information. The level page lists the paper as four listening parts and four reading parts.
How the HSK 2 paper is divided
The level page gives the paper layout as a table of test content, number of items, and test duration:
| Test content | Items | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Listening, Section 1 | 10 | |
| Listening, Section 2 | 10 | |
| Listening, Section 3 | 10 | |
| Listening, Section 4 | 5 | |
| Listening total | 35 | about 25 |
| Filling in the answer sheet | 3 | |
| Reading, Section 1 | 5 | |
| Reading, Section 2 | 5 | |
| Reading, Section 3 | 5 | |
| Reading, Section 4 | 10 | |
| Reading total | 25 | 22 |
| Total | 60 | about 50 |
The listening parts total 35 items in about 25 minutes. The reading parts total 25 items in 22 minutes. Filling in the answer sheet takes 3 minutes. The table total is 60 items in about 50 minutes.
The summary sentence on the level page states the exam time is approximately 55 minutes, including 5 minutes for candidates to fill in personal information. The table total is about 50 minutes.
Scores on the report
The HSK 2 score report provides three scores: Listening, Reading, and Total. Achieving a full score entails earning 200 points. A cumulative score of 120 or above qualifies as a passing mark. The HSK scores are valid for two years, starting from the day of the exam.
Start time printed on the page
The level page prints the start time as 09:00. The page notes that this is for all local times.
Two rules from the regulations that bear on the sections
The test regulations name two rules that affect how the sections are taken.
Cross-section answering is not allowed. For computer-based online exams, cross-section answering is not allowed for the listening, reading and writing sections — no answering of listening or writing questions during the reading section. For paper-based exams, cross-section answering is not allowed for the listening, reading and writing sections after the exam starts — no reviewing or answering of listening or writing questions during the reading section.
For HSK written exams, the late-arrival rule is as follows. If a candidate arrives after the exam start time indicated on the admission ticket but before the end of the listening section, the candidate may only enter the exam room after the listening section ends, and the missed time will not be compensated. Candidates arriving after the start of the reading section will not be admitted.
Questions people ask
What scores appear on the HSK 2 report?
The report provides three scores: Listening, Reading, and Total.
How long is the HSK 2 exam?
The summary sentence on the level page gives approximately 55 minutes, including 5 minutes for candidates to fill in personal information.
Sources
- HSK (Level 2) page — Chinese Testing International (CTI), Chinese Tests Service Website chinesetest.cn
- Exams information for candidates (test regulations) — Chinese Testing International (CTI), Chinese Tests Service Website chinesetest.cn
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary; it is not published by Chinese Testing International, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation or the Ministry of Education, and the official page prevails if they differ.