In short: three official HSK sittings are left in 2026. On 7 November, HSK 1–6 still uses the old HSK 2.0 exam.[1][3] On 22 November, the advanced HSK 7–9 exam runs on computer only.[1] On 13 December, the new HSK 3.0 exam starts worldwide.[2] Chinese Testing International (CTI), which runs the HSK, had not published a 2027 calendar when we checked.
The remaining 2026 dates
These are the official dates from CTI’s 2026 calendar. Deadlines are CTI’s own; your centre’s may be earlier.
| Test date | Exam | Version | Registration closes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 7 Nov 2026 | HSK 1–6 and HSKK | HSK 2.0 | Paper: closed 11 Oct. Computer: 28 Oct. | Computer: 23 Nov (HSKK 27 Nov). Paper: 7 Dec. |
| Sun 22 Nov 2026 | HSK 7–9 | New nine-level system | Computer only: 8 Nov. | 22 Dec |
| Sun 13 Dec 2026 | HSK 1–6 and speaking | HSK 3.0 (first sitting) | Paper: 16 Nov. Computer: 3 Dec. Both at 24:00 Beijing time. | Calendar dates, not yet confirmed for the new exam: computer 28 Dec (speaking 4 Jan 2027), paper 15 Jan 2027. |
Sources: dates, deadlines and results from CTI’s calendar;[1] the 13 December launch and its deadlines from CTI’s announcement.[2] The calendar was published in December 2025, before 13 December became the first HSK 3.0 sitting. The launch announcement gives deadlines but no result dates, so CTI hasn’t confirmed the calendar’s result dates for the new exam.[1][2] The Barcelona Confucius Institute confirms that the October and November sittings use HSK 2.0.[3] HSK 7–9 exists only in the new nine-level system, so there is no HSK 2.0 version of it.[6]
Earlier in 2026, CTI ran HSK 1–6 sittings from 24 January to 17 October, and HSK 7–9 on 9 May.[1] Separately, a pilot of the new HSK 1–6 was held on 31 January 2026 at selected centres in 168 countries.[7]
What about 2027?
As of 23 October 2026, we found no 2027 test calendar from CTI. Its 2026 calendar came out in December 2025.[1] The only 2027 dates CTI has given so far are the 2026 calendar’s result dates for the 13 December sitting: 4 January 2027 for the computer-based speaking test and 15 January 2027 for paper-based tests.[1] They were set before that sitting became HSK 3.0, and CTI’s launch announcement doesn’t repeat them.[2]
Some centres have started to say what they plan. The Sheffield Confucius Institute, for example, says it will run HSK 3.0 in early spring 2027.[4] We’ll update this page when CTI publishes the 2027 dates.
Your test centre chooses its dates
CTI sets the calendar, but you sit the test at a local centre, and centres don’t run every date.[2][5] Two UK examples:
- Leeds lists two dates, 17 October and 7 November 2026. Its deadline for 7 November was 9 October, two days before CTI’s paper deadline.[5][1]
- Sheffield runs its own HSK and HSKK sitting on 5 December 2026, using HSK 2.0, with registration closing on 20 November.[4] That date isn’t on CTI’s calendar.[1]
So the official calendar tells you what’s possible. Your centre’s page tells you what’s actually on offer.
How registration works
- Create an account on chinesetest.cn, CTI’s test website. Find a test centre in your country and register online for a date, level and format.[2]
- Follow your centre’s steps. Some centres take the fee separately, for example through a university online shop, and registration isn’t complete until both steps are done.[5][4] Leeds also asks for an ID-style photo and your passport number.[5]
- Watch both deadlines. CTI’s deadline is the latest possible. Your centre’s registration and payment deadlines may come first.[4][5]
- Check results on chinesetest.cn. For internet-based tests at Sheffield, results appear about 14 days after the HSK and 30 days after the HSKK.[4]
Paper or computer?
Most HSK 1–6 dates offer both a paper-based test and an internet-based test taken at a centre. HSK 7–9 is internet-based only.[1] “Internet-based” still means sitting the test in person at the centre.[4]
- Later deadline. Computer-based registration closes later. For 13 December it’s 3 December, against 16 November for paper.[2]
- Faster results. Computer-based results come out sooner. For 7 November, they’re due on 23 November, against 7 December for paper.[1]
The HSKK speaking test
The HSKK is the HSK’s separate speaking exam.[4] Under HSK 2.0 it has three levels:[4]
- Basic, matching HSK 1 and 2: about 20 minutes.
- Intermediate, matching HSK 3 and 4: about 23 minutes.
- Advanced, matching HSK 5 and 6: about 25 minutes.
Each is scored out of 100, and 60 is a pass.[4] Your answers are recorded and marked from the recording.[5] CTI runs the HSKK on the same dates as HSK 1–6.[1]
In the new system, speaking is tied to the level: HSK 3 to 6 each have a matching speaking test, and HSK 7–9 includes speaking in the exam itself.[4][3] More on what changed in HSK 3.0: what changed.
Choosing a date
If you’re deciding between the last HSK 2.0 sittings and the new exam, read HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0: which should you take? To work back from a date to a study plan, see how long each HSK level takes and how long it takes to pass HSK 4. Every word for the new HSK 1 to 6 is in the HSK vocabulary lists.
Sources
- Chinese Testing International: 2026 test calendar · December 2025
- Chinese Testing International: HSK 3.0 launch announcement · 8 September 2026
- Confucius Institute of Barcelona: changes to the HSK (in Chinese) · 17 September 2026
- University of Sheffield Confucius Institute: HSK tests
- Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds: HSK
- Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF 0025—2021) · Ministry of Education and National Language Commission, 2021
- Beijing government: registration opens for the HSK 3.0 pilot · 22 December 2025
