How to Pass HSK 6 📚 Ten Tips to Win at the HSK in 2024

Pass the HSK 6 With Ease | 10 Tips To Pass With Flying Colours in 2024

The following post has been brilliantly put together by Kathryn Miles, a U.S student who spent time studying with LTL. Her progress in this time was impressive. Below she gives ten expert tips on how to pass the HSK 6 exam.

How to pass HSK 6

I studied intensive Mandarin 1-on-1 at LTL Beijing during the Fall and decided to take the HSK 6 at the end of my time there.

Although the HSK 6 wasn’t the main focus of my studies at LTL, my teachers were incredibly helpful in preparing me for it.

Here are a handful of tips I learned along the way.

Before taking a look at Kathryn’s top tips, we’ve also got another HSK 6 successor for you. Anthea gives her story with LTL and her thoughts on the HSK 6 Exam.

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 1 – Make a Study Plan

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 2 – Quick Scan the Listening Section

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 3 – Don’t 2nd Guess

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 4 – Pay Close Attention to Idioms

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 5 – Save Weak Sections Until the End

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 6 – Practice Reading About Many Topics

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 7 – Do NOT Read Everything

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 8 – Create a Strategy for the Writing Section

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 9 – Pay Attention to the Writing Conclusion Section

How to Pass HSK 6 : Tip 10 – It’ll Be HARDER Than Mock Exams

How to Pass HSK 6: #1 – Create a Study Plan. Stick To It

Chinese Hanzi lessons at LTL
Chinese Hanzi lessons at LTL

I recommend doing a practice test to see what your weaknesses are well in advance of the test, then creating a study plan based on that.

For example, I added time spent on HSK 6 prep books to my regular study routine and tried to do one practice test per week during the last two months before the test.

It’s also important to have a teacher look at your Writing samples and give you feedback.

How to Pass HSK 6: #2 – Quickly Scan the Listening Section Answers

Before you listen to the audio scan over the answers and mark what you think the answers are as you hear things in the passage.

If you can scan the answer choices before the audio passage begins, and if you are familiar with the types of questions that are usually asked on the Listening section, you might be able to anticipate the answers to the longer passages.

(Of course, be careful not to focus so much on reading the answer choices that you forget to listen to the passage, and make sure you actually listen to the questions to confirm what you predicted would be asked!)

How to Pass HSK 6: #3 – Don’t Second Guess On The Listening Section

At the end of the Listening section you will be given 5 minutes to go back and look at/change your answers.

You should be sure to not leave any questions blank, but try to resist the urge to change the answers you’ve already chosen.

You can’t listen to the passages again and you might not even remember what the question was.

Discover the HSK, the levels, the costs and everything else you need to know

How to Pass HSK 6: #4 – Pay Close Attention To Word Usage & Idioms

Knowing the meaning of a word is not enough. You must know how to use it!

This includes knowing which part of speech it is, as well as knowing how it differs from synonyms.

Idioms in Chinese appear a lot, know them.

How to Pass HSK 6: #5 – Save Your Weaker Sections For The End

If there is a sub-section you find particularly difficult, it’s better to do sections you are stronger at first, and then go back to that other sub-section.

I think the 语病 section of the test is the most difficult part of the Reading section for me, so I did that section last.

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How to Pass HSK 6: #6 – Practice a Wide Range of Topics Before

I found practice test subjects to be similar to the subjects on the actual test… and I realized I rarely read things about bacteria and other scientific topics, so I had to start familiarizing myself with those topics in Chinese!

How to Pass HSK 6: #7 – Do Not Read Everything in The Reading Section!

Time is way too short to read the entire passage.

Read the multiple-choice questions first, then go back and find the answers in the longer article.

How to Pass HSK 6: #8 – Remember The Sequence of Events in the Writing Section

After reading the Writing passage once, I use my fingers to count the sequence of events and try to memorize them in order.

Felix teaching 1-on-1
Felix teaching 1-on-1

For example:

  • 1 = setting/characters/main theme
  • 2 = some point of action that happens next,
  • 3 = the next location they’re at/what happened there, and so on.

Before the timer ticks down I review these points in my head.

I use this to jog my memory of the other, smaller details.

One of my teachers suggested a similar strategy, which is to simultaneously read and create a picture or movie in your head so that you can remember the sequence of events and details.

How to Pass HSK 6: #9 – Pay Attention to The Conclusion of The Writing Section

What is the story trying to teach us? What’s the point of the story?

This is important! You might even want to look at it before you read the rest of the passage.

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How to Pass HSK 6: #10 – Be Prepared For The Test to be Harder Than Practice Papers

I found the computer test to be harder than any of the practice tests I’d taken.

This may be for a few reasons.

First, I think that some of the content was actually harder on the real test.

Secondly, I think doing the reading and listening sections on the computer is a bit harder than using paper because you can’t make any markings, underline things, or make notes.

I strongly recommend doing a practice run for the computer test if your testing site allows it.

Third, I was more nervous on the actual test day!

How to Pass HSK 6: So, did I pass the HSK 6?

I reached my goal of passing the HSK 6!

However, I could still improve my score, so I might take the test again in the future.

Overall, studying for the HSK 6 helped me increase my vocabulary and improve my reading speed, and I’m glad I took this test.

I would also encourage HSK 6 test-takers to never neglect other aspects of language study.

Don’t forget to challenge yourself to improve real-life Mandarin communication skills in addition to preparing for the HSK!

Follow yet another HSK 6 success story with LTL. Emma passed after 14 months of study, mostly online

DID YOU KNOW – you can study the HSK exam online with LTL. Check out our preparation courses designed solely to help you pass the HSK.

This gives further information on the HSK Exam, the lengths of the exams and what exactly is included in each test.

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How to Pass HSK 6: Resources You Need

Inspired to take the HSK yourself?

You can study with us online. We have plenty of online Mandarin courses including a course solely focused on passing the HSK.

Want an app to help you pass the HSK, look no further than HSK Online

How to Pass HSK 6 – FAQ’s

How many Chinese characters do I need to know to pass HSK 6?

You need to know 2,633 Chinese characters, and 5,000 Chinese words to be able to pass the HSK6 Exam.

For a full breakdown on all levels from HSK 1 to HSK 6 see our guide to HSK Levels.

How long is the HSK 6 exam?

The HSK 6 exam is the longest HSK exam lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes).

Can I study the HSK 6 with LTL?
Is there any pinyin in the HSK 6 exam?

No, the HSK 6 exam is all in Chinese characters.

Only HSK 1 and HSK 2 exams include pinyin. HSK3, 4, 5 and 6 are only in Chinese characters.

How often can I take the HSK 6 exam?

The HSK exam takes place every month.

Depending on your location the dates will vary.

You can take the HSK exam in Beijing with LTL if you are based in Beijing.

If not, check availability in your nearest HSK accredited centre.

Do all HSK Exams cost the same amount?

No, as the HSK levels get higher, the cost for the exam increases slightly.

Is there a higher level than HSK 6?

Yes, there is now HSK levels 7, 8 and 9.

You can find out more about the New HSK here.

Want more from LTL?

Want to learn Chinese from the comfort of your own home? Then our 24/7 online Chinese lessons might be the thing for you.

We offer a 7 day free trial to all new online students where you can study Mandarin 24/7.

Come and check it out free of charge and see what you think!

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  1. Il Nuovo Sistema di Esami HSK 😲 (a partire dal 1 Luglio 2021)
    Reply

    […] Il livello più alto di HSK che puoi superare con il nuovo sistema è HSK 9 e questo richiede la conoscenza di 11.092 parole, più del doppio dell’attuale livello più alto(HSK6). […]

  2. Mary
    Reply

    It is so good,I appreciate you keep it up.