大家好！ If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either preparing for the HSK 3 exam or thinking about it. I’m currently studying for it myself, and I thought it would be fun (and maybe helpful!) to share how I prepare for the exam!

Setting a Study Routine

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that consistency beats intensity. I don’t study for 6 hours a day- because I have to go to uni and study Korean as wel, so Instead, I study five days a week. On weekdays, I usually do 1–2 hours, and on weekends, I stretch to 2–3 hours. This rhythm keeps me moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.

Breaking Down the Skills

The HSK 3 tests listening, reading, and writing (mainly characters). So, I make sure my study sessions touch all three:
• Listening: I use apps and YouTube videos to practice dialogues. I also try to listen to Chinese songs to catch some words here and there!
• Reading: I read short stories or HSK 3 textbooks. (Highly recommend rainbow bridge series) At first, it was slow, but now I can guess meanings from context, which feels a lot like magic!!!!
• Writing & Characters: Flashcards are my lifesaver. ( even though In not a big fan) I try to practice them everyday at least 10 min a day, HSK requires you to know at least 600 words in Chinese so you have to bear in mind that vocabulary plays a big role in weather you pass the exam or not. I write characters down at least 3 times when I learn them. My goal is to recognize them quickly during practice tests.
Also is good to remember that compared to HSK 1 and HSK 2, HSK 3 doesn’t have pinyin, so you want to make sure you know your words/characters’ pinyin and tone.

Using the Right Materials

Here are the main resources I use:
• HSK 3 Grammar Book + Workbook for grammar practice.
착 붙는 중국어 and 중국어 독학 첫걸음 to reinforce basics.
Practice Tests to get familiar with timing and question style.

Making It Fun

Studying doesn’t always have to feel like studying! Sometimes I:
• Watch Chinese dramas with subtitles or YouTube videos
• Sing along to Chinese songs (even if my pronunciation isn’t perfect).

Reviewing Smarter, Not Harder

I noticed that if I don’t review, I forget quickly. So I always spend 15 minutes reviewing old material before diving into something new. This little habit makes a huge difference, it’s better for me than jumping from one grammar pattern to the next one.

Mock Tests

This is something I will start to implement in my study plan, every two weeks I plan to sit down and do a full mock exam so that I can get used to the structure of HSK 3

Preparing for HSK 3 isn’t just about passing a test it’s about building real skills that let us communicate in Chinese. Some days are tough, but I remind myself of how far I’ve come from when I could barely say 你好 or read more than two characters!