What is HSK?
HSK (新 汉语 水平 考试) is a Chinese proficiency test, which determines the Chinese language knowledge based on six standardized levels. The test is a good opportunity to under stand how well you work on your Chinese, to challenge yourself to study more intensively and compare your level with others. I took HSK 5 after a year of intensive language courses because I wanted to see whether I would be able to pass this exam. I also wanted to prove to myself that the classes were actually useful. After some time, I took HSK 6 mainly because a HSK certificate was one of the requirements to enter the university. Moreover, my first certificate was not valid anymore (HSK certificate is valid for two years). Although HSK 6 requires a better knowledge of the language, my experience was that HSK 5 was the most complicated. Of course, this was my first HSK exam and I didn't know what to expect.
Would you like to learn more about the requirements to each level and check your current level?
For those who have to pass HSK for school or work, it can be a very stressful experience. That's why I have written down several tips which, hopefully helps you to better prepare for the exam. Many thanks to the Hutong School teachers for the useful information.
6 steps to pass HSK
1. Make sure you know the vocabulary list
There is a standardized list of words for each level, which every student who takes the exam has to know. Of course, no one can guarantee high results if you know only those words. Even though memorizing might seem like a boring and old-fashioned way of learning a language, with HSK you don't actually learn the language but rather demonstrate what you already know. And one of the things they want to know about you is whether you can use those words or not. When it comes to the HSK exam, the list is very useful to get to know the vocabulary which is expected of you to know. Most of the words from the list will necessarily be at the exam in the listening and reading sections and it will be a plus if you use them in the writing section (which is included starting from level 3). The words from the list are also useful to understand the general meaning, even if you are missing some other details of the text. The questions will likely cover those words. Download the vocabulary lists for each level. Use cards to remember the words. I wish I knew about the existence of those apps for flash cards with ready vocabulary lists (for instance, Anki) when I prepared for my HSK.
2 The speed is important
Don't waste time on the careful reading of the whole text in the reading section; this especially applies to HSK 4 and higher. And this is advice which as I know everyone who has taken HSK gives. «There is just not enough time to read every single line. You won't need those little things» - shared Daniel, one of the students of intensive Chinese program at Hutong School, who passed HSK 5 last winter. You can even try to read the questions first and then move on to the text. Check in advance whether this strategy works for you. That's how I coped with the reading section in HSK 6. While in HSK 5 there are 40 minutes for 45 questions, HSK 6 gives 45 minutes for 50 questions, which means that you have approximately one minute for each question. That's why I read the questions and then was looking for answers in the text not reading every line. Otherwise, I wouldn't have enough time to complete all the tasks in the reading section. Practice with a timer. Get used to the pace.
3 Practice is also important
HSK test is one of the most standardized tests I've ever seen. The structure is very clear and you can face only minor deviations. If you do enough mock exams you'll get to know all the vocabulary and grammar structures, which you'll need for the actual test. That's why it is possible to achieve the necessary level even if you factual knowledge is a bit lower. On the other hand, people with a very good level of Chinese can fail or get a lower score compared to their actual level only because they don't know the format of the exam. Find the books with sample tests (新 HSK 模拟 试卷) and do as many as you can. There are many different sample tests on Taobao (淘 宝) or any bookstore in the section «Chinese for foreign students» (对外 汉语).
4 Go ahead
Try to check the questions for the listening section before the recording starts. By doing so, you'll understand how many questions are prepared for one recording in each part of listening. In HSK 1-3, in every recording there are usually 1-2 questions, in HSK 6 there can be up to 5 questions. After looking through the questions, you will understand what the recording is about, will find keywords. You will learn whether you have time to take notes, especially if you hear colors, prices, dates or numbers. The questions, of course, will cover some of these details.
5 Combine HSK preparation classes with self-education
The teacher will give you recommendations and explain your mistakes while constant practice on your own will let you feel the pace of the exam, increase the number of words which you can easily recognize, and give you confidence during the factual exam. Would you like to learn more about HSK preparation courses at Hutong School?
6 Work on your Chinese
Read more to develop the feeling of the language and read easily. It may seem difficult to fight with the pages of characters but believe me, the more you do that the easier it gets. Just remember that you actually don't need to pronounce the characters and know their tone to understand what it is about. As for listening, try to write scenarios of what you hear during the recording. Find podcasts, TV-shows and movies in Chinese and write what you hear leaving gaps in what you don't know and after that fill them with the help of subtitles or your Chinese teachers and friends. Eventually, there will be fewer and fewer gaps. Improving your Chinese, you will also get to know Chinese pop and traditional culture, what you will need to understand the texts in HSK 5 and higher because they include texts about many cultural traditions.
Overall, HSK is a very passable test if you prepare enough. The amount of preparation depends on your current level, amount of time we can spend weekly (or daily) on learning the test and the availability of the resources. Hutong School will help you at every step of your HSK journey!
Author: Victoria, intern at Hutong School and owner of HSK 6 certificate