Exam guide
What each test is, how the levels go, and how to pick a goal, at a glance.
Read short texts in kana and basic kanji, and follow greetings and everyday phrases spoken slowly.
Read easy texts on familiar everyday topics, and follow most slow conversations.
Read concrete texts on everyday topics, and mostly follow conversations at close to natural speed.
Read a wide range of texts such as news articles, and follow conversations and news at natural speed.
Read logically complex texts, and understand natural speech in many settings in depth.
Level descriptions follow the official level summary; pass marks and minimums the official results guide.
N5 · Contextual vocabulary
（ ）に なにが はいりますか。１・２・３・４から いちばん いい ものを ひとつ えらんで ください。
ごはんの あとで、くすりを 水で （ ）。
Answer 1 · のみました
In Japanese, medicine is taken with 「飲む」 ("drink"). 「水で」 ("with water") is also a clue. Rendering the Korean expression for taking medicine (which uses "eat") directly is wrong.
N4 · Grammar form
つぎの 文の （ ）に 何を 入れますか。１・２・３・４から いちばん いい ものを 一つ えらんで ください。
A「あした パーティーに 来られますか。」
B「行ける （ ）、まだ わかりません。」
Answer 2 · かどうか
〜かどうか = whether or not. I don't know yet whether I can go.
N3 · Grammar form
つぎの文の（ ）に入れるのに最もよいものを、１・２・３・４から一つえらびなさい。
隣の家の犬が夜中にほえた（ ）、何度も目が覚めてしまった。
Answer 4 · せいで
「〜せいで」 = because of ~ — the cause of a bad result. 「目が覚めてしまった」 is the clue.
N2 · Contextual vocabulary
（ ）に入れるのに最もよいものを、１・２・３・４から一つ選びなさい。
会社は、来年から新しい社員を増やす（ ）を決めた。
Answer 2 · 方針
方針(ほうしん) = "policy". 「増やす方針を決める」 = "decide on a policy of increasing".
N1 · Contextual vocabulary
（ ）に入れるのに最もよいものを、１・２・３・４から一つ選びなさい。
客が減り続ける中で、その店は生き残るための新しい方法を（ ）している。
Answer 2 · 模索
模索 = searching here and there for a way or method. It is used for searching for intangible things, as in 「方法を模索する」 or 「解決の道を模索する」. Korean uses a word written with the same characters.
One practice question per level, written by Nori. These aren’t real exam questions, and the format can differ from the exam.
Words you save from songs and review also feed into exam prep. See Preparing for exams in Help for how to use each part. The mock exams are made by Nori, which is not affiliated with the JLPT organizers.
The estimated score and pass chance are estimates from the questions you’ve answered and don’t guarantee real results.
It measures language knowledge such as vocabulary and grammar, reading, and listening. Note that the test sections you sit on the day are not the same as the scoring sections you get scores for (test sections, scoring sections and minimums).
| Level | Test sections | Scoring sections and minimums |
|---|---|---|
| N1, N2 | Two: Language Knowledge and Reading together, then Listening. | Three scoring sections, Language Knowledge, Reading, and Listening, each out of 60. You need at least 19 in each. |
| N3 | Three: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary), Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading, then Listening. | Three scoring sections, Language Knowledge, Reading, and Listening, each out of 60. You need at least 19 in each. |
| N4, N5 | Three: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary), Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading, then Listening. | Two scoring sections: Language Knowledge and Reading together, out of 120, with at least 38, and Listening, out of 60, with at least 19. |
To pass, your total must reach the pass mark and every scoring section must reach its minimum. Official scores aren’t your share of correct answers multiplied by the maximum. They’re scaled scores adjusted for each test’s difficulty, so they won’t match a score worked out from a workbook or in Nori.
The test is held in July and December, but some cities hold it only once a year. Registration dates differ by host.
Pinyin and tones, then basics like greetings and numbers. Each level is a separate test.
Follow easy everyday conversations and write basic characters.
Everyday conversation is the goal. Comes with a speaking test (HSKK).
Longer listening and reading on familiar topics.
Wide-ranging texts, like news.
Read specialist topics and organize your thoughts in speech.
One combined test. Your score places you at level 7, 8, or 9.
Maximums and pass marks are from an official test center’s guidance; section points aren’t published yet (HSK scoring explanation).
HSK 1 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
我（ ）三本书。
Answer 1 · 有
"I have three books" — possession is 有. Do not render "there is a book" with 是 or 在.
HSK 2 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
我（ ）来没去过中国。
Answer 1 · 从
「从来没…过 ("have never ~")」.
HSK 3 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
请（ ）门关上，外面太吵了。
Answer 1 · 把
Disposal — 把 + object + verb + result complement. Not every object in Korean takes 把, but closing the door (doing something to it) takes 把.
HSK 4 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
（ ）一下，请问这附近有银行吗？
Answer 2 · 打扰
「打扰一下」 is how you start talking to a stranger: excuse me.
HSK 5 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
小王性格很（ ），见了谁都会主动打招呼，所以大家都喜欢跟他交朋友。
Answer 4 · 热情
A warm personality: 性格热情.
HSK 6 · Fill in the blank
选出合适的词语填空。
经过三年的努力，他终于（ ）了自己的梦想，在家乡开了一家属于自己的书店。
Answer 4 · 实现
梦想 pairs with 实现 ("realize").
HSK 7-9 · Sentence order
选出正确的排列顺序。
A 首先，由主办方代表致开幕词
B 最后，现场观众可以向发言人自由提问
C 论坛将于上午九点准时开始
D 接着，主持人会介绍每位发言人的背景
Answer 2 · C → A → D → B
C start time → A 首先 → D 接着 → B 最后.
One practice question per level, written by Nori. These aren’t real exam questions, and the format can differ from the exam.
Levels in Nori’s Chinese course are grouped by the HSK 3.0 word lists. The format of the real test can differ by test date and region, so check your test center’s information before you register.
In Nori, you choose your target level, starting point, and exam date when you first start, and you can change them any time from Home or your profile.
It centers on listening and reading, and as levels rise it also measures skills like writing. In the new sample questions, writing has been added to level 2 as well. We haven’t yet confirmed the new section scores or pass marks in official announcements. Don’t apply the old HSK score rules to the new test as they are. Check the official text and your local test organizer before you register.
An official score is not your share of correct answers turned into a score out of 100. The official scoring guide (HSK scoring explanation) also separates that kind of self-check score from the standardized score on a real result. The accuracy and reference score you see in Nori are a guide to what to study next.
Even with a worldwide rollout date, registration dates and whether HSK 3.0 is offered can differ by country and test center. Always check the notices from the center where you’ll take the test.
Nori is not affiliated with the JLPT or HSK organizers. This guide is a summary to help you understand the tests, and the official sources always come first.
Summarized from official sources checked in October 2026.
Nori