HSK study plan for your target level
The HSK is the standard Mandarin Chinese test for study, scholarships and work in China, and each level needs a known set of words. This prompt has your todo.is agent check which HSK standard your test uses, split the word list across your weeks, send daily characters with pinyin and add mock tests near the end.
The prompt
- Make me an HSK study plan. I want to pass HSK [TARGET LEVEL] on [TEST DATE]. My current level is [CURRENT LEVEL]. I can study [DAILY TIME]. First check whether my test uses the current HSK standard or the newer HSK 3.0 word lists, with links, and tell me how many words I need. Split the new words across the weeks, send me the day's words with characters, pinyin, tones and an example sentence at [TIME] on WhatsApp, and give me a CSV for Anki. Plan listening every day, reading three times a week, and character writing if my level has a writing section. Add two mock tests. Give me an Excel plan.
What to change
- [TARGET LEVEL]: E.g. "3" or "4". Check what your university or scholarship requires.
- [TEST DATE]: The date at your test centre, or the internet-based test date you booked.
- [CURRENT LEVEL]: E.g. "passed HSK 2" or "about 400 words, one year of classes".
- [DAILY TIME]: E.g. "40 minutes on weekdays, 1.5 hours on Saturday".
- [TIME]: E.g. "7:30".
Example result
- HSK 3 plan: 14 weeks
- Test: November 16 · Passed HSK 2 · 40 minutes on weekdays, 1.5 hours on Saturday
- Check first
- The HSK is moving to new standards (HSK 3.0), with bigger word lists at each level. Test centres are phasing them in, so the agent checks which list your exam uses before you start. This plan uses the current exam format.
- HSK 3 format
- • Listening, Reading and Writing sections
- • Writing at HSK 3 means building sentences from given words and writing missing characters
- • Speaking is a separate test, the HSKK, if your school needs it
- Weekly rhythm
- • Mon to Fri: 6 new words with spaced review (20 min), listening (15 min), 5 minutes of tones
- • Mon, Wed, Fri: one short reading text, read aloud once
- • Saturday: grammar point of the week, a writing set, and review of the week's words
- • Sunday: rest or a Chinese show with subtitles
- Grammar by week
- • Weeks 1 to 3: 把 sentences, result complements (完, 好, 到), 了 for change of state
- • Weeks 4 to 6: comparisons with 比 and 没有, 越来越, 一边…一边…
- • Weeks 7 to 9: 虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…, 如果…就…, 被 sentences
- • Weeks 10 to 11: direction complements (上来, 进去), 着, 过
- • Weeks 12 to 14: mocks and review
- Mock tests
- • Mock 1 at the end of week 10, mock 2 at the end of week 13, both timed
- • Sort mistakes by section and tone errors in the listening
- Today's words (sample)
- • 认真 (rènzhēn) careful, serious · 他学习很认真。
- • 习惯 (xíguàn) habit, be used to · 我习惯早上跑步。
- • 楼 (lóu) building, floor · 我住在三楼。
How to do it with todo.is
- Fill in your target level, test date and current level, then copy the prompt.
- Paste it into todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Your agent checks which word list applies, then sends the Excel plan and the Anki CSV.
- Each morning you get the day's words. Reply with sentences using them and your agent corrects them.
Tips for a better result
- Learn tones with each word from day one. Listening questions often hinge on them.
- Read texts aloud. It ties characters, pinyin and sound together.
- Write characters by hand a few minutes a day if your level has a writing section.
- Ask your agent to send a voice note with the day's words read aloud, so you hear the tones.
HSK study plan: FAQ
- How many words do I need for each HSK level? It depends on whether your test uses the older standard or the newer HSK 3.0 lists, which are larger. Check with your test centre or the official HSK site.
- How long does each HSK level take? Lower levels can take 2 to 4 months each with daily study. Higher levels take longer as the word lists grow.
- Is HSKK the same as HSK? No. The HSKK is a separate speaking test. Some universities and scholarships ask for both.
- Can todo.is help with pronunciation? Send a voice note and your agent transcribes it and points out words that may be mispronounced. A teacher is still best for tones.
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