Are you getting ready to take the HSK? Here’s everything you need to know to pass with flying colors. 

After years of helping students conquer the dreaded HSK Mandarin Chinese exam, we’ve gathered the best practical tips and strategies that really work. Whether you're tackling level 1 or level 6: these tips are designed to help you sit the exam with confidence and leave with a smile on your face!

1. Mock tests: the secret to time management

In preparation for the test, you should take as many mock tests as you can (you can easily find them online). As soon as you feel ready, start setting a timer for each test that you do, so you can get to grips with the timing of the real thing. This is especially important at higher levels (starting from HSK4), as time is quite limited.

2. Listening comprehension: use the time spent on examples wisely

When it comes to the listening comprehension section 听力 [tīnglì] of the HSK exam, make the most of the valuable time allocated for examples to be read out to start looking at the images and reading the questions. This is crucial! This will give you a general idea of what the section is about before you get started. And it will make it easier for you to understand the audio. If you have time to spare after answering a question, start looking at the statements for the next one.

3. Don’t understand a question in the 听力? Keep the momentum going 

If you don’t understand a question from the 听力 section, don't dwell on it, just move on to the next one. Otherwise, you might lose concentration and end up missing several.

4. Learn how to spot frequently asked questions in the listening section

Familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are repeated in the 听力, for example:

• 关于女的，可以知道真么？[guānyú nǚde， kěyǐ zhīdào shénme?]: What do we know about the girl?
• 男的是什么意思？[nánde shì shénme yìsī ?]: What does the man mean?

5. Completing sentences in the 阅读: start by reviewing all the options

In the reading comprehension 阅读 [yuèdú] section of the official Mandarin Chinese exam,  look at all the word options before you start to fill in the blanks.

6. Finding quick answers in the reading section: the keyword technique

When you have to answer questions relating to a statement, always read the statement in full so you know what information you are looking for. At higher levels (HSK5-6), you won't have time to read the entire text, so just focus on the keywords.

7. Essays in HSK5 and HSK6: tips to improve your score

For the HSK5 and HSK6 exams, you should write lots of practice essays to help prepare for the written section 书写 [shūxiě].  It’s also a good idea to learn several opening and closing phrases on various topics (成语 or popular expressions), as they will demonstrate greater knowledge and help boost your score. Don't forget to give your essays a title!

We hope these tips have been helpful. Good luck!  加油！

Are you preparing to take the official HSK Chinese exam? Perhaps you’ve already passed and have some useful tips or tricks to share? Let us know in the comments and help us keep improving this guide for future students!