HSK prep, free.
The HSK is the official test of Mandarin Chinese for people who did not grow up speaking it. It has levels, taken one at a time.
What is HSK?
The HSK is the official test of Mandarin Chinese for people who did not grow up speaking it. It has levels, taken one at a time.
Who takes it?
People learning Mandarin Chinese who need to show their level.
What costs money?
The study plan here costs nothing. The test itself has a fee, set by Chinese Testing International. The official site lists it.
How do I show my score?
Upload the score screen with ID numbers hidden. Someone who saw the real result confirms it.
What HSK is
- Set by
- Chinese Testing International
- Who takes it
- People learning Mandarin Chinese who need to show their level.
- Sections
- Listening, Reading, Writing (from level 3)
- Dates and fees
- On the owner's site: official dates, official fees.
The free plan
The study plan, the official practice, the best free help, your proofs and your Trophy Case are free. Work through the outcomes in order.
Before you upload a score screen or a score report, hide your registration, roll, application and ID numbers. Powstik never asks for an ID number. Someone who saw the real result confirms it: a teacher, counsellor, tutor or study partner. They are told to send back any proof that shows an ID number.
1. Pass Mandarin HSK 1
Understand and use very basic Mandarin expressions and introduce yourself. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Master Pinyin tones and HSK 1 vocabulary
Show: Complete a 75-item HSK 1 practice set (vocabulary, listening, and grammar) and submit a photo with a score of 80% or above, plus a handwritten list of the four Mandarin tones with one example word per tone in Pinyin and characters.
- Build HSK 1 sentence patterns
Show: Submit a handwritten page (photo or scan) with 10 original HSK 1 sentences in Chinese characters + pinyin, covering: 2 sentences using 吗 questions, 2 using negation (1×不, 1×没有), 2 using 在 for location, 2 using a time expression, and 2 free sentences using HSK 1 vocabulary.
- Pass HSK 1 and hold a 5-minute Mandarin conversation
Show: Submit (1) your official HSK 1 certificate or score report, AND (2) a video recording of a 5-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Mandarin speaker, with both sides audible.
- Master Pinyin tones and HSK 1 vocabulary
2. Pass Mandarin HSK 2
Communicate in simple and direct Mandarin in familiar everyday situations. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Build HSK 2 vocabulary and expand character recognition
Show: Complete a 75-item HSK 2 practice set and submit a photo with a score of 75% or above, plus a handwritten vocabulary study sheet showing 20 new HSK 2 words in characters + pinyin + a collocating word for each (e.g. 喜欢 + 音乐, 看 + 书).
- Master HSK 2 grammar — 了, 过, progressive, 把
Show: Submit a handwritten grammar page (photo or scan) with: (1) two sentences contrasting 了 (completion) vs. 过 (experience) using the same verb, (2) a 正在 sentence and a non-progressive sentence showing the contrast, (3) one 把 sentence with a context note explaining what happens to the object.
- Pass HSK 2 and hold a 10-minute Mandarin conversation
Show: Submit (1) your official HSK 2 certificate or score report, AND (2) a video recording of a 10-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Mandarin speaker, with both sides audible.
- Build HSK 2 vocabulary and expand character recognition
3. Pass Mandarin HSK 3
Communicate in Chinese at a basic level in personal and professional contexts. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Build HSK 3 vocabulary and reading ability
Show: Complete a 75-item HSK 3 practice set and submit a photo with a score of 70% or above, plus a handwritten summary (5–8 sentences) of a short Chinese text you read this week — written in simplified Chinese characters, not Pinyin.
- Master HSK 3 grammar — resultative complements and connectives
Show: Submit a handwritten grammar page (photo or scan) with: (1) three original sentences using resultative complements (one each for 完, 懂, and one of your choice), (2) one 虽然...但是 sentence, (3) one 如果...就 sentence — all original examples, not textbook sentences.
- Pass HSK 3 and hold a 20-minute Mandarin conversation
Show: Submit (1) your official HSK 3 certificate or score report, AND (2) a video recording of a 20-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Mandarin speaker, with both sides audible throughout.
- Build HSK 3 vocabulary and reading ability
4. Pass Mandarin HSK 4
Discuss a wide range of topics fluently in Chinese. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Build HSK 4 vocabulary and character depth
Show: Complete a 75-item HSK 4 practice set and submit a photo with a score of 70% or above, plus a handwritten vocabulary analysis of 10 unfamiliar HSK 4 characters — for each, note the radical, phonetic component (if identifiable), and a memory note.
- Master HSK 4 grammar — 的/地/得, 被 passive, complex conditionals
Show: Submit a handwritten grammar page (photo or scan) with: (1) one sentence each using 的, 地, and 得 correctly, (2) one 被 passive sentence with a context note explaining the affected object, (3) one 即使...也 sentence and one 只要...就 sentence — all original examples.
- Pass HSK 4 and hold an extended Mandarin discussion
Show: Submit (1) your official HSK 4 certificate or score report, AND (2) a video recording of a 30-minute unscripted discussion with a native or near-native Mandarin speaker, with both sides audible. The discussion should include opinion exchange, not only factual description.
- Build HSK 4 vocabulary and character depth
5. Pass Mandarin HSK 5
Read Chinese newspapers and magazines fluently and communicate in Mandarin in social and professional contexts. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Sit a timed HSK 5 mock
Show: Submit your timed mock scores for every section with the date, and a note on your weakest section.
- Record a conversation at exam level
Show: Submit two unedited 20-minute recordings with a native Mandarin speaker, and their written feedback between them.
- Pass the official HSK 5
Show: Submit the official HSK 5 result or certificate showing your name, level and date.
- Sit a timed HSK 5 mock
6. Pass Mandarin HSK 6 (Near-Native)
Achieve near-native Mandarin proficiency — understand complex Chinese and express yourself fluently and spontaneously. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
- Sit a timed HSK 6 mock
Show: Submit your timed mock scores for every section with the date, and a note on your weakest section.
- Record a conversation at exam level
Show: Submit two unedited 20-minute recordings with a native Mandarin speaker, and their written feedback between them.
- Pass the official HSK 6
Show: Submit the official HSK 6 result or certificate showing your name, level and date.
- Sit a timed HSK 6 mock
Go deeper
The test checks the field. Powstik Varsity teaches it, with free full courses in order.
Trademark
HSK is a trademark of Chinese Testing International. Powstik is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Chinese Testing International.
Powstik links to official material and never copies its questions.