New HSK 4 vs Old HSK 4 / 新旧 HSK 4 对比
The revised HSK syllabus (HSK 3.0) takes effect in July 2026. Here is exactly what changes at Level 4 — vocabulary, characters, tasks, grammar and writing — based on the official 《新版HSK考试大纲》 published in November 2025.
Timeline: 《新版HSK考试大纲》 published November 2025 by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (语合中心) and CTI (汉考国际) → exams through June 2026 still use the current format → revised exam effective July 2026. If your test date is before July 2026, prepare with the current format (our 12 mock exams follow it). If after, study the new word list and tasks — this site's vocabulary, characters, topic pages and grammar guide already follow the 2026 syllabus.
Side-by-Side Comparison / 对比表
| Dimension / 维度 | Old HSK 4 (through June 2026) | New HSK 4 (from July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / 标准 | 2010 syllabus, 6-level system | HSK 3.0 — "Three Stages, Nine Levels" (三等九级); Level 4 = start of the intermediate stage |
| Vocabulary / 词汇量 | ~1,200 words (cumulative) | 2,000 words cumulative — 1,000 new Level 4 words (official list nos. 1001–2000) |
| Characters / 汉字 | No separate character lists published for the level | Explicit lists: 441 reading characters (认读字) + 150 handwriting characters (书写字) |
| Task framework / 任务 | No explicit task syllabus | 30 communicative tasks (任务大纲), from describing a person to introducing historical figures |
| Topics / 话题 | Loose topic guidance | 7 top-level / 31 second-level / 77 third-level topics (话题大纲) |
| Modern vocabulary / 时代词汇 | 2010-era list — no internet-life words | Adds 扫码 (scan a QR code), 网购 (online shopping), 安检 (security check), 视频, 短信, 互联网, 线上/线下, 支付, 密码, 转发… |
| Writing output / 写作要求 | Arrange words into sentences; describe a picture with one sentence | Tasks require writing a short paragraph (写出一段话) — descriptions, experiences, opinions |
| Grammar syllabus / 语法 | Less granular | Enumerated per level: 把字句2, 被动句2 (叫/让), 兼语句2, 比较句3, 双重否定句, 10 types of complex sentences, fixed formats |
| Exam paper / 试卷结构 | 100 questions: 听力 45 + 阅读 40 + 书写 15, ~105 min, pass 180/300 | Revised structure published with the new syllabus — check the official chinesetest.cn announcement for your test date's exact paper format |
New Grammar at Level 4 (2026 Syllabus) / 新增语法点
- 把字句2 — four added patterns: 把+O+V一V / 把+O+V了 / 把+O+V+动量·时量补语 / 把+O+状语+V → practice 把字句
- 被动句2 — passives with 叫/让 instead of 被 → practice passives
- 兼语句2 — 表扬/批评, 收/选…做/当/为, 使/让 causatives → pivotal sentences
- 比较句3 — A不如B, 跟…相比 → comparison patterns
- 双重否定句 — double negation for emphasis (不得不, 没有…不…)
- 复句 — 尽管…但是, 既然…就, 不管/无论…都, 即使…也, 要是…否则, 不是…而是, 连…也/都 → all sentence patterns
- 固定格式 — 在…方面, 拿…来说, 够…的, 一A一B / 无A无B / 有A有B → fixed patterns
What Should You Do? / 备考建议
Testing before July 2026: nothing changes for you. Drill the current format with the 12 free mock exams (45 listening + 40 reading + 15 writing) and aim for 70%+ consistently.
Testing July 2026 or later: build from the new syllabus now — the jump from 1,200 to 2,000 cumulative words is the single biggest change. Start with the official 1,000-word Level 4 list, learn the 150 handwriting characters, study vocabulary by task scenario (all 30 official tasks), and practice paragraph writing. Old-format mocks remain excellent listening and reading practice.
Testing July 2026 or later: build from the new syllabus now — the jump from 1,200 to 2,000 cumulative words is the single biggest change. Start with the official 1,000-word Level 4 list, learn the 150 handwriting characters, study vocabulary by task scenario (all 30 official tasks), and practice paragraph writing. Old-format mocks remain excellent listening and reading practice.