HSK Reading Review: Chinese Reading Practice App for HSK 1–6
If you are preparing for the HSK, you already know the reading section is where points slip away fastest: the clock is ticking, the passages are long, and unfamiliar words seem to be everywhere. A good HSK reading practice app should do more than mark your answers right or wrong. It should teach you how to read.
HSK Reading is the newest app from ChatStick, built for Thai-speaking learners. It covers HSK levels 1 to 6 with more than 800 questions, explains every answer, and comes with a reading buddy named Nong Yue (阅阅) who guides you step by step. In this review we walk through its key features so you can decide whether it fits your study plan.
Why HSK reading needs a structured approach
Many Chinese learners translate word by word. That habit slows reading down and makes it hard to finish the exam on time. The skills that actually move your score are spotting keywords, grasping the main idea, and guessing meaning from context. HSK Reading is designed around exactly those skills, instead of simply handing you endless questions without telling you why you missed them.
Passages come in many real-world formats: diary entries, chat messages, announcements, advertisements, emails, short stories, articles, and Chinese idiom tales. They span 12 everyday topics, including daily life, travel, food, work, technology, and culture. Every passage shows an illustration, a difficulty level, and an estimated reading time, so planning a study session is easy.
Key features of HSK Reading
800+ questions across HSK 1–6: practice from beginner to advanced level.
Answers explained with evidence: each explanation, written in Thai, quotes the sentence in the passage that supports the answer, highlights the keywords, summarizes key vocabulary, and adds a Reading Tip.
12 exercise types: fill in the blank, sentence ordering, matching, short reading, reading comprehension, main idea, keyword finding, true/false, title naming, guessing meaning from context, sentence insertion, and timed reading.
Smart Reading: tap any Chinese word to see its pinyin, meaning, part of speech, HSK level, and an example sentence. Toggle pinyin and Thai translation, highlight, bookmark, resize text, use Focus Mode, listen to Chinese audio, and save words for review.
Works offline: learning data stays on your device, with no account or subscription required.
Keyword Trainer: learn to skim for what matters
The standout feature is the Keyword Trainer, which builds the habit of skimming for important words without translating everything. Here is how it works:
Read the passage and the question.
Tap the words you think are key to answering it.
See which words you got right, which you missed, and which you over-selected.
Read the explanation of why those keywords matter for this question.
This kind of practice shifts you from passive translation to purposeful reading, which is exactly what a timed exam demands.
Exam Mode and weakness tracking
When you feel ready, switch to Exam Mode. It is timed like the real test with no aids. You can move between questions and change answers before submitting. Afterwards you get your score, accuracy, time used, results by skill, and a detailed answer key.
Accuracy across 7 skills: vocabulary, grammar, keywords, main idea, context, detail, and sentence ordering.
Mistake notebook: wrong answers are saved automatically, can be filtered by skill and level, and can be retried right away.
Reading speed tracking: measured in characters per minute, together with a Reading Score and weekly progress.
Daily habit tools: 1–3 minute Daily Reading passages, reading streaks, XP, reader levels, and achievement badges.
App details and pricing
App name: HSK Reading ฝึกอ่านภาษาจีน
Price: free to download. HSK 1–2 are free, including Daily Reading and a sample lesson from every level.
Full unlock: Unlock All Features for ฿99, a one-time purchase covering passages at all levels, all mock exams, unlimited mistake review and vocabulary saving, and no ads.
Free option: unlock premium lessons up to 3 times a day by choosing to watch a short ad. Ads never interrupt your reading.
Compatibility: iPhone (iOS 18.0 or later), iPad (iPadOS 18.0 or later), Mac with Apple M1 chip or later (macOS 15.0 or later), and Apple Vision Pro (visionOS 2.0 or later).
Size: 23.7 MB | Age rating: 4+ | Category: Education
Developer: ChatStick Company Limited
Frequently asked questions
Who is this app for?
Students, university students, working professionals, and anyone preparing for the HSK or wanting to read Chinese more fluently. Explanations are written in Thai, so it suits Thai-speaking learners best.
How much can I use for free?
The download is free, and HSK 1–2 are free, including Daily Reading and a sample lesson from every level. A one-time ฿99 purchase unlocks all content and removes ads.
Do I need an internet connection or an account?
No. The app works offline, stores your learning data on your device, and does not require an account or a subscription.
How many exercise types are there?
Twelve, ranging from fill in the blank and matching to sentence insertion and timed reading, plus an Exam Mode for realistic practice.
Conclusion
If you want an HSK reading practice app that teaches the reasoning behind each answer, HSK Reading is worth a try. It combines 800+ questions, 12 exercise types, explanations for every answer, a Keyword Trainer, and weakness tracking that shows clearly which skill to work on next.
Start free with HSK 1–2, build a few minutes of Daily Reading into your routine, and unlock the higher levels when you are ready.
See all ChatStick apps on the ChatStick developer page
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