HSK preparation course for HSK 1–6 and HSKK
A focused HSK preparation course taught by the teacher who set up and ran an official HSK online test centre, with more than 250 candidates since 2022. One-to-one or in a small group, online or in Amsterdam, for every level from HSK 1 to HSK 6 and the HSKK speaking test, including the new HSK 3.0.
By Zoey (Ziqiao Zang), Chinese teacher since 2011
The HSK (汉语水平考试, Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is the official Chinese proficiency test. People take it for a university application, a job in China, a scholarship, or simply to prove to themselves how far they have come. Whatever your reason, good HSK preparation is not the same as general Chinese lessons. You need the right vocabulary in the right order, the exam’s question types, a feel for the timing, and a plan that ends on exam day.
That is what this HSK course does. Zoey has taught every HSK level from 1 to 6 since 2011, and at the Groningen Confucius Institute she set up and managed an official HSK online test centre, running exams for more than 250 candidates since 2022. She knows the exam from the inside: how it is run, how it is scored and where candidates lose points.
HSK preparation per level
| Level | Who it is for | Focus of the course |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Beginners proving their first milestone | Pinyin, tones, ~300 core words, simple sentences, listening with pictures |
| HSK 2 | Learners after their first year | ~500 words, basic grammar patterns, short dialogues, first writing |
| HSK 3 | Everyday independent users | ~1,000 words, characters without pinyin, sentence building, HSKK Elementary |
| HSK 4 | Students and professionals heading for study or work | ~2,000 words, longer texts, writing sentences, HSKK Intermediate |
| HSK 5 | Advanced learners | ~3,600 words, reading speed, summarising, essay writing, HSKK Advanced |
| HSK 6 | Near-professional users | ~5,400 words, academic and news texts, condensing long texts, HSKK Advanced |
Word counts follow the new HSK 3.0 syllabus (cumulative). Each level page has the full word list, the grammar points and sample questions.
HSKK: the speaking test
The HSKK (汉语水平口语考试) is recorded on a computer: you listen and repeat, describe pictures, answer questions and, at higher levels, retell a passage and speak on a topic. Since January 2025 the Dutch test centres register HSK 3–6 candidates for the matching HSKK level at the same time. Speaking on a timer, into a microphone, without a conversation partner, feels strange the first time, so in HSK preparation lessons you practise exactly that: short recorded answers, played back and corrected.
HSK 3.0: what changes for your preparation
The HSK is moving from the 2010 version (“HSK 2.0”) to HSK 3.0. The official syllabus was published in November 2025. The Groningen Confucius Institute, which runs tests in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands, has announced that its tests switch to HSK 3.0 from December 2026; earlier 2026 sessions still use the old format. For learners the most important changes are:
- More words per level. HSK 1 grows from 150 to about 300 words, HSK 4 from 1,200 to about 2,000, HSK 6 from 5,000 to about 5,400.
- Characters count separately. The syllabus lists characters to recognise and a smaller set to write by hand at each level.
- Nine levels instead of six. HSK 7–9, the advanced band, has existed since 2022 and is taken as one exam.
If you are preparing now, Zoey’s courses use the HSK 3.0 word lists, so nothing you learn is wasted whichever format your exam uses. The HSK exam guide for the Netherlands explains the changes in more detail.
Mock tests, timing and exam strategy
Knowing Chinese and passing the HSK are related, but not identical. Many capable learners lose points through timing and question technique. An HSK preparation course with Zoey therefore includes:
- Full mock tests under real timing, on screen for the internet-based test or on paper for the paper test, starting six to eight weeks before the exam.
- Question-type training: what each part of the paper tests, and the fastest reliable way through it. In reading, for example, the answer often depends on the last words of a sentence.
- Error analysis: after each mock test you look at why points were lost: vocabulary gaps, misheard tones, time pressure, or misreading the question.
- Typing characters: in the internet-based test you write by typing pinyin and choosing characters. It is faster, but picking the wrong homophone (在zài or 再zài?) costs points, so it is practised.
Which textbook?
The HSK Standard Course (HSK标准教程, published by Beijing Language and Culture University Press) is the classic companion to HSK 1–6, with one textbook and workbook per level. It is a solid backbone, and many learners already own the HSK 1 standard course book. For HSK 3.0 its word lists need supplementing with the new vocabulary, which Zoey provides. Learners preparing for business use also work with BCT-style material; see Business Chinese.
How many lessons do you need per HSK level?
The question “how long to prepare for HSK 1, or HSK 6?” has no single answer, but these ranges are a realistic guide for an adult learner from zero, with lessons plus self-study:
| Level | Lesson hours with a teacher (cumulative) | Total study hours incl. self-study (cumulative) | At 2 lessons a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 30–40 | 80–120 | 2–4 months |
| HSK 2 | 60–90 | 160–240 | 6–9 months |
| HSK 3 | 120–180 | 300–450 | 1–1.5 years |
| HSK 4 | 240–360 | 600–900 | 2–3 years |
| HSK 5 | 440–660 | 1,000–1,500 | 3.5–5 years |
| HSK 6 | 740–1,100 | 1,600–2,400 | 5+ years |
If you already have a level, the intake shows where you stand, and the plan covers only the gap. A learner who passed HSK 3 two years ago and wants HSK 4 in six months needs a very different course from a beginner. Read more in how long it takes to learn Chinese.
Where to take the HSK in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands the HSK is organised by the Groningen Confucius Institute (internet-based tests in Amsterdam and paper tests in several cities) and the Confucius Institute Maastricht (computer-based tests in Maastricht). Registration is done online at chinesetest.cn. Dates, fees and step-by-step registration are in the HSK exam guide for the Netherlands.
What running an HSK test centre taught Zoey
Organising exams for hundreds of candidates shows you things a textbook never does. The patterns Zoey sees in candidates who pass comfortably, and in those who fall short, shape how she prepares her own students:
- Candidates who pass know the paper before exam day. Nothing on the screen surprises them: not the audio instructions, not the answer sheet, not the timer in the corner.
- Listening is lost in the first seconds. Each recording is played only once or twice; candidates who read the answer options before the audio starts have a clear advantage.
- Time runs out in reading. Candidates who spend too long on early questions rush the later, often easier ones.
- The HSKK is about nerves as much as level. Learners who have practised speaking to a microphone stay calm when the recording starts.
- Practical mistakes are the most avoidable. The admission ticket, the right ID, arriving thirty minutes early: small things that can cost you the exam.
Results you can expect
Every learner is different, so there are no guaranteed scores here. What you can count on: a clear plan from the first lesson, honest feedback on whether your exam date is realistic, mock tests that show your likely score well in advance, and a teacher who knows how the exam works. If the plan shows that a later exam date is wiser, you will hear it in time.
The video loads from YouTube when you press play.
The KeSong YouTube channel has stories for every HSK level, with new words and grammar explained: useful extra listening practice during your HSK preparation online or in class.
HSK courses in Amsterdam and online
Whether you want an HSK course in Amsterdam, HSK classes in a small group or an HSK tutor for one-to-one HSK lessons online, the method is the same. One-to-one lessons cost €60 per hour; group fees depend on the number of learners. Send an enquiry with your target level and exam date, and Zoey will tell you whether the date is realistic and how to plan the weeks before it. Looking for an HSK 1 course or an HSK 3 course specifically? Mention it in your message.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for the HSK?
Start by choosing the right level and exam date, then work through the official vocabulary and grammar for that level in a fixed order. Practise listening and reading every day, and from six to eight weeks before the exam do full mock tests under real timing. Review every mistake. For HSK 3 and above, also prepare the HSKK speaking test.
How many lessons do I need for HSK 1?
A complete beginner with two lessons a week and short daily practice usually needs two to four months, roughly 30–40 lesson hours plus self-study. Under HSK 3.0, HSK 1 covers about 300 words, double the old list, so allow a little more time than older guides suggest. The HSK 1 guide has the full word list and exam format.
How many lessons do I need for HSK 6?
From zero, most adult learners need several years of steady study: in total around 1,600–2,400 hours including self-study. If you already hold HSK 5, a focused preparation of six to twelve months is realistic, with intensive reading and writing practice. See the HSK 6 guide for the word list and the exam.
Do I have to take the HSKK speaking test as well?
At the Dutch test centres, candidates for HSK 3, 4, 5 and 6 register for the matching HSKK level at the same time; this has been the rule since January 2025. HSK 1 and 2 are taken without HSKK. Preparing for the speaking part is therefore part of every HSK 3–6 course.
Can I take the HSK preparation course online?
Yes. Most HSK candidates prepare online. Mock tests on screen are also good practice for the internet-based HSK test held in Amsterdam, where you answer on a computer and type characters using pinyin input.
Learn with Zoey
One-to-one or in a small group, online or in Amsterdam by arrangement. Tell Zoey what you want to achieve and she will suggest a plan.
Keep reading
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HSK exam guide
Levels, HSK 3.0, test centres, dates, fees and registration in the Netherlands.
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HSK 1
Word list, grammar, exam format and sample questions.
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HSK 3
Word list, grammar, exam format and sample questions.
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How long does it take to learn Chinese?
Realistic hours per HSK level, what is hard, what is easy, and a 12-month plan.
About the author
Zoey (Ziqiao Zang, 臧子乔) has taught Chinese as a foreign language since 2011 and in the Netherlands since 2016. She holds a Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Zhejiang Normal University and set up and ran an official HSK online exam centre with more than 250 candidates.