HSK Score Calculator: How the Passing Score Adds Up (HSK 1 to 6)
· Giovanni Fu Lin · hsk, hsk-exam, tools, study-tips
If you already have your section scores and want to know whether the total reaches the pass mark, the HSK score calculator does that sum. Pick a level, enter each section score from 0 to 100, and it shows the total and whether it meets the pass mark. It runs in your browser.
How the HSK passing score is built
The calculator follows the historical six-level format, and the rules are short:
| Levels | Sections | Points per section | Maximum | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 and 2 | 2 | 100 | 200 | 120 |
| HSK 3 to 6 | 3 | 100 | 300 | 180 |
The sections are added together and the total is compared with the pass mark. A high listening score can make up for a lower reading score. Some institutions set a higher bar than the pass mark for admission or a scholarship, so a pass is not always enough for your purpose.
The source for these rules is the scoring section of the CTI candidate handbook. It is the 2010 edition, so treat the rules as historical and confirm which exam format your test centre offers.
One page per level
Each level has its own calculator, with the same rules and the right number of boxes:
What it does not do
- It does not turn the number of questions you got right into a scaled score. You enter the section scores your result report gives you.
- It does not predict your score on the revised HSK 3.0 exam. For how the newer levels are organised, read HSK levels explained.
- It does not know your institution’s requirements.
After the total: plan the next attempt
If the total is below the pass mark, the useful question is how much vocabulary separates you from the next level. The HSK vocabulary size calculator compares a word count you supply with HSK Studio’s dictionary levels, and the study plan calculator turns a goal into a daily number. If you are just starting out, how to study for HSK 1 covers the first level.
FAQ
What is the HSK passing score?
In the historical six-level format, HSK 1 and 2 have two sections of 100 points and a pass mark of 120 out of 200. HSK 3 to 6 have three sections of 100 points and a pass mark of 180 out of 300. The scores are combined into one total, not checked section by section.
What is a good HSK score?
The pass mark is the only threshold the calculator states. What counts as good depends on what you need the result for: a university or scholarship can ask for more than the pass mark, so check the requirement of the place that will read your certificate.
Does this calculator work for HSK 3.0?
No. It follows the historical six-level scoring rules. It does not convert raw correct-answer counts, and it does not predict scores for the revised HSK 3.0 exam.
Is there a separate calculator for each level?
Yes. HSK 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 each have their own page, and they all use the same rules.
Related project: HSK Studio by Fulin Labs