Ill or unable to travel on HSK test day: the special-circumstances rule

If you fall ill or cannot get to the test on HSK test day after the normal rescheduling deadline, a special-circumstances rule may let you apply late. After the deadline for submitting applications for withdrawal or rescheduling of test has passed, candidates who are unable to take the test due to unforeseen circumstances such as force majeure or sudden illness must contact the test center before the test date to apply for withdrawal or rescheduling.

Contact the test center before the test date

After the deadline for submitting applications for withdrawal or rescheduling of test has passed, candidates who are unable to take the test due to unforeseen circumstances such as force majeure or sudden illness must contact the test center before the test date to apply for withdrawal or rescheduling.

No applications for withdrawal or rescheduling of test will be accepted after the test date or once the candidate has taken any test subject.

The Special Circumstances section states the above regulations apply to the Chinese Proficiency Test, including HSK, HSK Speaking Test, YCT and BCT, for both paper-based and internet-based formats.

The Special Circumstances section does not state that an application is certain to be approved.

Supporting documents you must provide

The application must be accompanied by valid supporting documents (which must be issued by an official authority and bear its official seal; medical documentation must be provided by a qualified physician and must clearly indicate that the candidate is physically incapable of taking the test on the test date. Personal statements from the candidate alone will not be accepted).

The ordinary rescheduling deadlines first

The special-circumstances rule applies after the ordinary rescheduling window closes. The Rules of Rescheduling of Test state:

1. Within 27 days before the test date (including the 27th day), candidates can apply for a deferred test free of charge.
2. From 27 days before the test date (excluding the 27th day) to 10 days before the test date (including the 10th day), candidates can apply for a deferred test by paying a service fee equal to 30% of the test fee.
3. After the 10th day before the test date (excluding the 10th day), no further requests for rescheduling of test will be accepted.

Only one application for a deferred test will be accepted per test registration. The date of the deferred test must be within six months after the original test date. The test center, test subject, test level, and test format cannot be changed.

The Rules of Rescheduling of Test names a service fee of 30% of the test fee but does not state the test fee itself.

What the test rules say about fees and retakes

The Test Guidelines cover three separate situations:

• If a candidate is absent from the test on the day of the test for reasons not attributable to the test organizer, the test fee will not be refunded, and the candidate will not be eligible for rescheduling, withdrawal, or refunds.
• If the test center is unable to provide a normal test environment due to issues such as damaged test papers or equipment, CTI will arrange for candidates to retake the test free of charge as soon as possible. The test location and level cannot be changed.
• In the event of force majeure, such as natural disasters or social unrest, preventing the test from being conducted normally, CTI will arrange for candidates to retake the test or receive a full refund of the test fees as soon as possible. CTI and the test center shall not be responsible for any indirect losses in the above circumstances.

The Test Guidelines refer to "the test fee" without naming its amount.

Questions people ask

If I am ill on test day, can I get my money back?

The Test Guidelines state that if you are absent for reasons not attributable to the test organizer, the test fee will not be refunded. The Special Circumstances section requires you to contact the test center before the test date with valid supporting documents; it does not name a refund in that case.

Does the special-circumstances rule apply to the HSKK speaking test?

The Special Circumstances section states the regulations apply to the Chinese Proficiency Test, including HSK, HSK Speaking Test, YCT and BCT, for both paper-based and internet-based formats.

Sources

• 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.