Your Complete Guide to the HSK 4 Exam — And How to Prepare Effectively with BLCU Online

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By Angela Chen丨 Updated: 2025-11-21

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If you've already built a solid foundation in Mandarin and you're ready to level up your reading, listening, and writing skills, HSK 4 might be your next big milestone. Whether your goal is studying in China, applying for scholarships, enhancing your career opportunities, or simply proving that your Chinese communication is solid — HSK 4 is a powerful credential to have.

Here's a clear, friendly guide to what HSK 4 includes, what skills it tests, and how you can prepare smarter with BLCU Online's HSK courses at www.eblcu.com .

ü What Is HSK 4?

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is China's official Mandarin proficiency test for non-native speakers. The new system includes levels 1 to 6 (from beginner to advanced), with levels 7–9 added on top for near-native learners.

HSK 4 represents an upper-intermediate level, meaning:

l You can handle daily conversations with confidence

l You can discuss familiar topics in work and study contexts

l You understand longer texts and conversations

l You can use more complex sentence structures

HSK 4 is also the minimum requirement for many Chinese university programs and scholarship applications, making it a key stepping stone for academic or career plans in China.

ü What's in the HSK 4 Exam?

The test has three major parts: Listening, Reading, and Writing. Here's what you can expect:

1. Listening (听力)

The Listening section includes 3 parts and 4 main question types:

Question Type 1: True/False Sentence Judgment

You listen to a short sentence and decide whether it matches the meaning of the given written statement.

This tests your ability to catch keywords and basic sentence patterns.

Question Type 2: Short Conversations

You hear a brief dialogue between two speakers and choose the correct answer from three options.

Focus on key information such as time, place, intention, and numbers.

Question Type 3: Longer Dialogues

These conversations are longer and more detailed. You'll answer one question after each dialogue.

Pay attention to:

Key sentences

Logical relations (like 因为…, 所以…)

Speaker's opinions or suggestions

Question Type 4: Long Passages

You listen to a paragraph-length monologue and answer comprehension questions.

These are harder because they lack a single clear "keyword"—you must understand the overall meaning, not just details.

2. Reading (阅读)

The Reading section includes 3 parts, from matching tasks to full reading comprehension.

Question Type 1: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Word

Choose the correct word from the given options to fill in the blank.This tests your understanding of grammar, word order, and logical relations.

Question Type 2: Put the sentences in the correct order

Arrange the content of the three short sentences given in the correct order to form a complete paragraph.

Key skills required:

Choosing the correct conjunctions (例如：即使/就是……也……)

Understanding pronoun references (这，那，它……)

Recognizing commonly paired expressions and collocations

Question Type 3: Reading Comprehension

The third reading section includes questions 66–85. It has 14 short passages (each with one question) and 3 longer passages (each with two questions). Short passages are about 30–100 words, while long ones are 90–150 words. You simply read the text and choose the correct answer.

3. Writing (书写)

The Writing section includes 2 tasks:

Part 1: Sentence Ordering

You're given several shuffled words or phrases. Your task is to rearrange them into a coherent, grammatically correct sentence.

Common structures tested:

Common Chinese sentence patterns, like"把"sentences

Word order (time → place → manner → verb → object)

Collocations like 对身体有好处 / 一点儿也不…

Part 2: Picture-Based Sentence Writing

You see a picture and write one sentence describing it accurately.

This tests your ability to:

Use correct grammar

Describe actions and states

Form clear, natural Chinese sentences

ü Don't Forget: HSKK Intermediate (Speaking)

If you take HSK 4 test, you are required to take HSKK Intermediate, here's a quick snapshot:

14 questions

23 minutes total, including 10 minutes of prep time

Score: 100 points total; 60 = passing

Valid for 2 years

Check more details about HSKK here.

ü Prepare for HSK 4 with BLCU Online

If you're looking for structured, professional, and flexible preparation, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) — the top institution for teaching Chinese to international students — offers high-quality HSK online courses.

HSK 1–6 Online Programs at BLCU (eBLCU.com)

Website: www.eblcu.com/HSK