Hsk - 1 Standard Course
HSK 1 Standard Course: The Gateway to Mandarin Chinese
Week 6: Mock Exams
- The course includes a sample test. Time yourself.
- Listening section: 15 minutes. Reading section: 15 minutes.
- You need a 60% to pass, but aim for 90%.
Part 4: How to Study with the HSK 1 Standard Course
Many students buy the book, read it once, and fail. The key is systematic repetition. Here is a 6-week study plan:
How to Pass the HSK 1 Exam
The HSK 1 test is 35 minutes long (plus listening time) and scored out of 200. You need 120 points to pass. HSK 1 Standard Course
1. Course Overview
- Goal: 150 vocabulary words + basic grammar patterns (no character writing on the actual test, but the book teaches recognition).
- Test Structure: Listening & Reading (35 min + 3 min to fill answers).
- Book Structure: 15 lessons, each with dialogues, vocabulary, grammar, and exercises.
Executive Summary
The HSK 1 Standard Course is widely regarded as the definitive starting point for students embarking on the journey of learning Mandarin Chinese. Developed by the Beijing Language and Culture University Press and authored by Jiang Liping, this textbook is the official companion to the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), China’s only standardized test for non-native speakers. HSK 1 Standard Course: The Gateway to Mandarin
As the first rung on the six-level HSK ladder, this course is designed to take absolute beginners to a functional level of basic communication, covering the 150 vocabulary words required for the HSK 1 exam. The course includes a sample test
The Goal of HSK 1
By the end of the HSK 1 Standard Course, you will be able to:
- Understand and use very basic phrases and sentences.
- Introduce yourself and others (name, nationality, job, age).
- Ask and answer simple questions about family, time, and daily life.
- Understand simple written signs and very short, basic texts.
- Recognize and write 174 commonly used Chinese characters.
Think of it as "survival Chinese." You won’t discuss politics, but you can order noodles, ask for directions, and say "I don't understand."
Exam Structure (Original HSK 1):
| Section | # of Questions | Question Types | Time | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Listening | 20 | True/False based on pictures; short dialogues | ~15 min | | Reading | 20 | Matching sentences to pictures; filling in blanks | 17 min |