About this placement test
Chinese Copilot's free HSK Placement Test is an English-UI web app for L2 learners of Mandarin. You mark whether you recognize each Chinese word; we estimate an approximate HSK level from that recognition pattern. It is built for self-check and study planning, not for certificates, school admissions, or employer proof of proficiency. If you need a credential, sit an official exam at an authorized test center.
Who it’s for
Absolute beginners who want a first reading, intermediate learners choosing the next textbook band, and advanced students who want a quick sanity check before booking a real paper. The interface stays in English so you can focus on Chinese characters and words without fighting another UI language. Teachers and tutors sometimes use it as a light diagnostic before a first lesson; that is fine as long as everyone understands the limits below.
HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0 tests
The main HSK 2.0 test uses the six HSK 2.0 levels (HSK 1–6) plus a small Beyond sample of 12 words from the GF 0025-2021 Levels 7–9 list. The separate HSK 3.0 test draws words from the word list of the 2025 official HSK exam syllabus for Levels 1–6 and 7–9, for learners who study with the new standard. Neither figure is an official exam score or a substitute for official cut scores.
Methodology
Each test shows a sample of words from every level. Each level gets a mastery score (known divided by sampled words; skipped words count as unknown), and the headline level climbs one level at a time, so you cannot reach a high level while missing most of the lower ones. It is a heuristic, not an official cut score. The methodology page documents the word sources, dataset versions, sample sizes, thresholds, and the rough vocabulary formula. For background, read what an HSK level really means.
Recognition limits
We do not measure listening, speaking, writing, reading speed, or productive vocabulary. Knowing a word when you see it is not the same as using it under time pressure. The samples are small: the HSK 2.0 test repeats the same words, so quick retakes mostly measure memory, while the HSK 3.0 test draws new words each run, so results can shift near a threshold. Overconfident “yes” answers inflate the level; conservative answering understates it. Use the result to plan your next study block, not as a verdict on your Chinese.
Unofficial status
This product is not affiliated with Hanban, CTI Co., Ltd. (CTI), or any official HSK test center. Thresholds run client-side in your browser. Answers stay in session storage for the current tab; no account is required. Read the privacy notice for data details, or the contact page if you have feedback. When you are ready, start the test.