HSK Test Prep Course
A course for those aiming to pass HSK Levels 1–6. With HSK标准教程 (HSK Standard Course), you learn the vocabulary, grammar, and conversation for the level you're taking.
Who this course is forFOR YOU
The HSK is an exam that measures the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers, with levels from 1 to 6. In this course, you choose the textbook for the level you're taking and learn the vocabulary, grammar, and expressions needed for that level through the dialogues and texts.
- Those aiming to pass any of HSK Levels 1–6
- Those who need an HSK level for work or further education
- Those who want to systematically relearn vocabulary and grammar for the level they're taking
- Those who want to prepare not just with workbooks but also by checking pronunciation and conversation with a tutor
- Those who want to learn Chinese step by step, moving up one level at a time
📝First, find out your level
Before you start exam prep, the free test estimates your level and suggests an HSK level.
→ Take the free HSK level test
Curriculum OverviewCURRICULUM
HSK标准教程 has a textbook for each level: one book each for Levels 1–3 and two volumes each for Levels 4–6. You start with the textbook for the level you're taking. As the levels go up, the content progresses from short conversations such as greetings to long texts on daily life, society, and culture.
Learn pronunciation and basic conversationHSK标准教程 Levels 1 & 2 (15 lessons each)
Level 1 starts with short conversations for greetings and self-introductions, such as “你好”, “谢谢你”, and “你叫什么名字”, and each lesson also covers pinyin, tones, and how to write Chinese characters. Level 2 expands to expressions for talking about daily life and plans, such as “我每天六点起床” and “你家离公司远吗”, and also covers word and sentence stress and intonation.
Broaden your conversationHSK标准教程 Level 3 (20 lessons)
You learn expressions for talking about plans, changes, and comparisons, such as “周末你有什么打算” and “我最近越来越胖了”. Each lesson also has a section on common sayings (e.g., 万事开头难) and on Chinese characters.
Talk about everyday themesHSK标准教程 Level 4 (Vol. 1 & 2, 20 lessons)
You read dialogues and texts on love, friendship, work, money, health, nature, and science and technology, such as “简单的爱情”, “真正的朋友”, “一分钱一分货”, “保护地球母亲”, and “科技与世界”. You also work on grammar notes and exercises, speaking activities in pairs or groups, and columns on Chinese culture.
Read texts and learn to distinguish wordsHSK标准教程 Level 5 (Vol. 1 & 2, 36 lessons)
The book is divided into units on daily life, history, stories, science, culture, education, life, the economy, society, nature, and more, and you read texts such as “子路背米”, “成语故事两则”, and “海外用户玩儿微信”. You also learn to distinguish words with similar meanings.
Master long texts and expressionHSK标准教程 Level 6 (Vol. 1 & 2, 40 lessons)
You read longer texts such as “孩子给我们的启示”, “学一门外语需要理由吗”, “大数据时代”, and “草船借箭”. You learn word choice and collocations, how to correct common sentence errors, and text structure and rhetoric, and also practice writing on a theme.
For example, each Level 4 lesson proceeds in this order: warm-up, text, grammar notes and exercises, expanding your expressions, conversation activities in pairs or groups, and a column on Chinese culture.
TextbooksTEXTBOOK
Main textbookHSK标准教程 (HSK Standard Course) / Beijing Language and Culture University Press
A textbook series designed around the HSK levels, with 9 books from Level 1 to Level 6. Level 1 starts with short conversations accompanied by photos, and you can check the content with English translations of the texts and new words and notes in English.
- HSK Standard Course Level 115Lesson
- HSK Standard Course Level 215Lesson
- HSK Standard Course Level 320Lesson
- HSK标准教程 Level 4 (Vol. 1 & 2)20Lesson
- HSK标准教程 Level 5 (Vol. 1 & 2)36Lesson
- HSK标准教程 Level 6 (Vol. 1 & 2)40Lesson
- Levels 1–2Greetings · Daily life
- Level 3Plans · Changes · Comparisons
- Level 4Love · Work · Health · Nature
- Level 5History · Stories · Science · Society
- Level 6Long texts · Rhetoric · Writing
About purchasing the textbooks
*The NetChai Shop ships within Japan only. If you live outside Japan, please purchase from an online bookstore or similar retailer in your country.
This textbook has an edition in your language. If you buy it outside Japan, please choose the edition in your language.
The textbook purchase page also offers HSK mock test books and prep books for the HSK speaking test (HSKK).
🛒Purchasing Textbooks
You can purchase the textbooks from our Chinese Textbook Purchase Page .
*The NetChai Shop ships within Japan only. If you live outside Japan, please purchase from an online bookstore or similar retailer in your country.
This textbook has an edition in your language. If you buy it outside Japan, please choose the edition in your language.
⏳Estimated time to complete
HSK Standard Course Level 1 (15 lessons) ~30 lessons (fast) or ~60 lessons (relaxed pace).
HSK Standard Course Level 2 (15 lessons) ~30 lessons (fast) or ~60 lessons (relaxed pace).
HSK Standard Course Level 3 (20 lessons) ~40 lessons (fast) or ~80 lessons (relaxed pace).
HSK Standard Course Level 4, Vols. 1 & 2 (20 lessons) ~40 lessons (fast) or ~80 lessons (relaxed pace).
HSK Standard Course Level 5, Vols. 1 & 2 (36 lessons) ~72 lessons (fast) or ~144 lessons (relaxed pace).
HSK Standard Course Level 6, Vols. 1 & 2 (40 lessons) ~80 lessons (fast) or ~160 lessons (relaxed pace).
Course GoalsGOAL
- Understand and use the vocabulary and grammar of your target level within the dialogues and texts
- Actually speak the expressions you've learned in conversation with your tutor, not just hear or read them
- Move on smoothly to the next level's textbook after finishing one level
Approximate vocabulary: about 150 words for Level 1, 300 for Level 2, 600 for Level 3, 1,200 for Level 4, 2,500 for Level 5, and 5,000 for Level 6. These goals are learning benchmarks and do not guarantee passing the exam. To get used to the actual exam format, please also practice with mock test books and similar materials.
If you'd like to study moreNEXT STEP
Alongside your exam preparation, the following courses are also available if you want to focus on memorizing vocabulary or improve your conversation skills.
- HSK Vocabulary Course to focus on memorizing the vocabulary for each level
- Intermediate / Advanced to expand your expressions with a focus on conversation
- Introductory & Basic Course to start from zero with pronunciation and basic conversation
How lessons workLESSON STYLE
25-minute one-on-one lessons with a Chinese tutor. Using the textbook for your target level, you read the text aloud and check its content, practice new words and grammar, and then have a conversation using what you've learned.
- When you read the text aloud, your tutor checks your pronunciation and tones on the spot
- Anything you get stuck on in the grammar notes or exercises is reviewed with varied example sentences
- Lessons run every day from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, so you can fit them into your schedule leading up to the exam date
FAQFAQ
Which level should I start with?
With the Free HSK Level Check, you can see your current approximate level and which level we recommend. If you're unsure, please ask a tutor in a trial lesson. → Free HSK Level Check
How many textbooks are there?
Levels 1–3 have one book each and Levels 4–6 have two volumes each, for a total of 9 books. Levels 1 and 2 have 15 lessons each, Level 3 has 20, Level 4 has 20, Level 5 has 36, and Level 6 has 40. Please get only the textbook for the level you're taking.
How long does it take to finish one level?
See “Estimated time to complete” above. For example, Level 1 takes about 30 lessons if you move quickly and about 60 lessons at a slower pace. It depends on how often you take lessons and what you've already learned.
Can I also practice exam questions?
Each lesson in HSK标准教程 has exercises. If you want to get used to the actual exam format, you can also use the mock test books available on the textbook purchase page.
Where can I buy the textbooks?
You can check how to order on the textbook purchase page. Please have the textbook for your level ready before your lessons start. → About purchasing the textbooks
*The NetChai Shop ships within Japan only. If you live outside Japan, please purchase from an online bookstore or similar retailer in your country.
This textbook has an edition in your language. If you buy it outside Japan, please choose the edition in your language.
Try it free first and feel the joy of “I actually spoke Chinese!” for yourself
In a trial lesson, you can talk with a tutor about your current level and the HSK level you want to take, and confirm which textbook to start with.
2 trial lessons1,680yen→free
