HSK Exam Guide HSK 4 test format: 100 questions in about 105 minutes
The HSK (Level 4) paper has 100 questions across listening, reading and writing. The whole exam takes about 105 minutes, which includes 5 minutes for you to fill in personal information.
Sections and time
The HSK (Level 4) page gives the layout as a table.
| Section | Items | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (Section 1: 10; Section 2: 15; Section 3: 20) | 45 | about 30 |
| Filling in the answer sheet | — | 5 |
| Reading (Section 1: 10; Section 2: 10; Section 3: 20) | 40 | 40 |
| Writing (Section 1: 10; Section 2: 5) | 15 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | about 100 |
The table total is about 100 minutes. The summary sentence on the page says the entire exam takes about 105 minutes including the 5 minutes for filling in personal information.
Scores on the report
The HSK (Level 4) score report gives four scores: Listening, Reading, Writing and Total. A full score is 300 points. A cumulative score of 180 or above is the passing mark. The scores are valid for two years from the exam date.
Start time
The HSK (Level 4) page prints the test start time as 09:00, in all local times.
Two rules that bear on the sections
The Exams information for candidates (test regulations) lists both rules.
Cross-section answering is not allowed for the listening, reading and writing sections. For computer-based online exams, this means no answering of listening or writing questions during the reading section. For paper-based exams, the same applies after the exam starts: no reviewing or answering of listening or writing questions during the reading section.
For HSK/YCT/BCT written exams, the late-arrival rule applies. If a candidate arrives after the exam start time on the admission ticket but before the end of the listening section, the candidate may only enter after the listening section ends, and the missed time will not be compensated. A candidate arriving after the start of the reading section will not be admitted.
Sources
- HSK (Level 4) — 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.