Question 1

Which HSK system should I choose?

Accepted Answer

If you are preparing for an HSK exam, study the vocabulary of the system suggested by the place and date of your exam. HSK 2.0 (Standard) is still used in many countries; HSK 3.0 is the updated official framework, with larger cumulative targets. If your school or test centre has not told you which system they use, ask before you start studying.

Question 2

If I study HSK 2.0, does that count for HSK 3.0?

Accepted Answer

No. Progress is stored per word and per system. Words, counts and folders for the HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0 systems never mix, even when level names look the same (for example HSK 1). You can switch systems anytime; each keeps its own history.

Question 3

Are the vocabulary lists official?

Accepted Answer

HSKacer organises study around the official cumulative HSK targets for each system. Decks are split by level so you practice the new words introduced at that level, not a full reprint of every lower level. Always confirm exam requirements with your test centre — official materials and dates can change.

Question 4

Why does HSK 7–9 appear only on HSK 3.0?

Accepted Answer

HSK 7–9 is part of the HSK 3.0 framework for advanced learners. HSK 2.0 stops at HSK 6. In the app, advanced bands appear when that list is available for study; until then you will see them marked as not ready.

Question 5

Can I switch HSK system after I have already studied?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use the system toggle (or settings → default HSK system). Your previous system’s progress stays saved; you simply start working on the other list. There is no automatic conversion between systems, because the word lists are different.

Question 6

Why is it better to study several HSK levels at once?

Accepted Answer

Official HSK exams are cumulative: to sit a given level you need the vocabulary of that level plus every lower level. Example: for an HSK 3 exam you should be ready for about 300 HSK 3 words + 150 from HSK 2 + 150 from HSK 1 (600 words in total on HSK Standard). Mixing levels in one session helps you keep earlier words alive while you learn new ones — closer to how the exam actually works.

Question 7

When should I use HSK Flashcards vs Word matching?

Accepted Answer

Flashcards are for deliberate recall: you see one side, think, flip, then rate how well you knew the word. That builds lasting memory. Word matching is a faster recognition game. Use it to warm up or reinforce words; it does not replace HSK Flashcards rating history — each mode keeps its own assimilated / to review folders.

Question 8

How is Word matching different from HSK Flashcards?

Accepted Answer

Word matching is a quick game separate from HSK Flashcards: you match prompts to answers in 1↔3 or 3↔3 rounds (Chinese ↔ translation). It helps you recognize vocabulary fast. Ratings from Word matching update that mode’s folders; flashcard ratings stay separate.

Question 9

What do assimilated and to review mean?

Accepted Answer

During study you rate each word assimilated or to review based on how well you remember it. This sorts vocabulary into folders so you can focus on what still needs practice. How it works: study with HSK Flashcards or Word matching → rate each word → your Review archive updates automatically.

Question 10

Why do words disappear from my HSK deck after I study them?

Accepted Answer

Once you rate a word in a level session, it counts as studied for that system and leaves the “remaining” deck. That way a later mixed session (for example HSK 1 + HSK 2) only shows what you have not done yet. Rated words live in the Review archive (assimilated / to review). Use “Reset progress” on a deck if you want those words back in the main remaining count.

Question 11

What does “Reset progress and start over” do?

Accepted Answer

It clears saved flashcard progress for the HSK levels selected in that session — including words in assimilated and to review for those levels — then starts a fresh deck. You must confirm with the checkbox before Continue. Other levels and the other HSK system are not wiped.

Question 12

Resume last session or reset — which should I pick?

Accepted Answer

Resume continues the unfinished deck at the card where you stopped, keeping ratings already given in that run. Reset progress clears studied words for the selected levels and rebuilds the remaining deck from scratch. Use it only when you intentionally want to start those levels over.

Question 13

How do mixed-level sessions work?

Accepted Answer

With Pro you can select several HSK levels and study them in one session. Cards are interleaved so you do not finish one entire level before seeing the next. Already-studied words from any of those levels are still excluded. Free accounts study one level at a time.

Question 14

What are vocabulary families?

Accepted Answer

Studying related words — food, restaurant, water, to eat — can build stronger mental links than disconnected vocabulary. Vocabulary families offers a different approach: grouping vocabulary by topic for more natural, contextual learning.

Question 15

Swipe or buttons — which interaction should I use?

Accepted Answer

In Settings and personalization choose swipe or buttons. Swipe: tap to flip, swipe to rate. Buttons: tap to flip, then tap assimilated or to review. Both save the same kind of progress. Pick whatever feels faster on your device; you can change it anytime.

Question 16

Do keyboard shortcuts work on computer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if “Keyboard arrows (PC)” is enabled in Settings. After the answer is visible, ← rates to review and → rates assimilated. Space or Enter reveals the answer. Shortcuts work together with swipe or button mode.

Question 17

Can I change what appears on the front and back of a card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Settings → flashcards layout lets you show or hide hanzi, pinyin, translation, grammar and level on each face, and swap front/back. Use this if you want production practice (for example translation on the front) instead of recognition from hanzi.

Question 18

Does changing the interface language change word meanings?

Accepted Answer

The interface language changes menus and buttons. Vocabulary glosses follow the meanings shipped with each word (primarily English, with Italian where available). Switching UI language does not rebuild or reset your study progress.

Question 19

What happens when I finish every remaining card?

Accepted Answer

The session completes and those words are stored with your ratings. Next time that level combination may show as completed until new unstudied words exist or you reset progress. You can still review rated words from the Review archive or Starred words.

Question 20

How does vocabulary search work?

Accepted Answer

Search looks up hanzi, pinyin, and translations in your UI language. You can filter by HSK level and grammar category. Use it to look up a word before studying, or to jump into related decks when available.

Question 21

What happens if I leave a session unfinished?

Accepted Answer

If you leave a HSK Flashcards or Word matching session mid-way, HSKacer can save it under Paused sessions. Open Paused sessions to continue where you left off or discard an unfinished deck.

Question 22

How does the Review archive work?

Accepted Answer

The Review archive groups vocabulary by how well you know it — to review or assimilated — so you can focus on what still needs practice. Folders are grouped by HSK level and, if you use vocabulary families, by topic too. Words rated easy go to assimilated; hard go to “to review”. Filed words reappear in the deck after the delay set in Settings. HSK Flashcards and Word matching keep separate ratings.

Question 23

What is the difference between assimilated and to review folders?

Accepted Answer

After you rate words, HSKacer groups them into assimilated and to review — separately for HSK Flashcards and Word matching. Use the archive to restudy hard words or reinforce what you already know.

Question 24

Why do HSK Flashcards and Word matching have separate folders?

Accepted Answer

A word can feel easy in a matching game but hard to recall on a blank flashcard. Separate assimilated / to review folders keep each mode honest. Open the Review archive and switch the HSK Flashcards / Word matching tabs to see each set.

Question 25

What are starred words for?

Accepted Answer

The star is a manual bookmark — tap it on any word you want to keep handy, regardless of how well you already know it. It does not change assimilated / to review folders (those follow your easy / hard ratings). Open a starred deck to start a focused session or remove the star with (−). Folders stay unchanged when you unstar.

Question 26

Should I star a word or put it in to review?

Accepted Answer

Ratings (assimilated / to review) are automatic from how you grade during study. Stars are a manual bookmark for words you want handy — exam items, names, or favourites — regardless of rating. Starring or unstarring does not move folders. Use both tools together if you like.

Question 27

What is the Home page for?

Accepted Answer

Home is your overview: recent progress signals, streak, and shortcuts back into study. Detailed charts live under Statistics; deep setup lives under Settings and personalization.

Question 28

What can I change in Settings and personalization?

Accepted Answer

That page covers profile (displayed name, avatar, M/F), theme, HSK system, language, study interaction (swipe/buttons), card layout, and related preferences. Changes apply as you set them so you can preview before your next session. After signup you may land here once to finish setup.

Question 29

Can I change the app colors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Settings you can pick light, navy, or dark. The header and chrome follow the theme you choose. Your choice is saved on this device for the next visit.

Question 30

How should I read my statistics?

Accepted Answer

Statistics are not for competing with others. They make progress visible — progress you might not notice day to day. It is scientifically established that seeing your own progress increases motivation and makes it easier to keep going. Study time, reviews, and streaks can encourage you to return even when the goal feels far away. Cards reviewed vs unique words: “Cards reviewed today” and “Total card reviews” count every rating you give (like Anki’s reviews). If you rate the same word three times, that counts as three. “Unique words studied” counts each vocabulary item only once after you have reviewed it at least once. Study minutes use the real duration of each saved session (timer from start to end), then convert seconds to minutes. Level completion (HSK 1–4) counts words with at least one review — it means “touched in study”, not “memorised 100%”.

Question 31

Why is “cards reviewed” higher than “unique words”?

Accepted Answer

Each time you rate a card it counts as a review — rating the same word three times counts as three reviews. Unique words count each vocabulary item only once after the first review. Both metrics are useful: reviews show effort; unique words show coverage of the list.

Question 32

What does level completion percentage mean?

Accepted Answer

It is the share of words in that level’s deck with at least one review. It means “touched in study”, not “perfectly memorised forever”. Words can still sit in to review while counting toward completion.

Question 33

How does the daily streak work?

Accepted Answer

Your daily streak encourages consistency, not dependency. Learning a language takes regular practice: even 5 minutes a day beats one long session every two weeks. It is scientifically established that long-term memory consolidates better when study is spread over time, rather than crammed into a few intense sessions. How we count it: a day counts if you save at least one study session that day. The streak stays alive if your last study day was today or yesterday (one-day grace). Miss two calendar days in a row and it resets.

Question 34

I studied yesterday — why did my streak not increase?

Accepted Answer

A day counts only when at least one study session is saved that calendar day. Opening the app without finishing ratings is not enough. The streak also allows a one-day grace: if you last studied yesterday, it stays alive today until you miss two calendar days in a row.

Question 35

Is guest progress kept if I register later?

Accepted Answer

Guest study data lives on the device. When you create or sign into an account on that same browser/device, HSKacer can merge guest progress into your account so you do not start from zero. For long-term study across phones and computers, register early and sign in everywhere you practise.

Question 36

What is the difference between Free and Pro?

Accepted Answer

Free lets you try the method with limits (for example about 100 words per HSK level and a few topic packs). Pro unlocks full vocabulary, all topic packs, mixed-level sessions, and the rest of the study tools. Open plan from the header or sidebar to see monthly and yearly options and manage billing.

Question 37

What exactly are the Free plan limits?

Accepted Answer

On Free you can study about 100 distinct words per HSK level in standard level study, one level at a time, and three vocabulary families (food & drink, family & people, transport & travel). Pro removes the per-level cap, unlocks all families, and allows mixed-level sessions.

Question 38

Which vocabulary families are free?

Accepted Answer

Free includes food & drink, family & people, and transport & travel. Other families require Pro. Families group words by theme across levels — useful alongside level-by-level flashcards.

Question 39

Is yearly Pro better value than monthly?

Accepted Answer

Yearly billing is discounted versus paying month by month. The plan page shows the effective monthly price and what you are billed per year. Choose yearly if you already know you will study for many months; otherwise monthly is more flexible.

Question 40

How do I cancel or change my Pro subscription?

Accepted Answer

Open plan / subscription and use manage plan (customer portal) to cancel, switch billing period, or update payment details. Card data is handled by the payment provider — HSKacer does not store full card numbers. After cancellation you keep Pro until the end of the paid period, then return to Free limits; your word progress remains.

Question 41

Do I lose my vocabulary progress if Pro ends?

Accepted Answer

No. Ratings, folders, stars and statistics stay on your account. You only regain Free limits on how much new material you can study and which tools stay unlocked.

Question 42

Are payments secure?

Accepted Answer

Subscriptions are processed by a specialised payment provider over encrypted connections. HSKacer does not store your full card details on its own servers. For privacy rights and data handling, read the Privacy Policy linked in the footer.

Question 43

Why create an account?

Accepted Answer

Creating an account lets you connect and sync your study progress across multiple devices. Your flashcard ratings, sessions, streaks, and starred words stay linked to your profile on the HSKacer server, so you can pick up where you left off on another phone, tablet, or computer. Registration will also unlock access to payment plans when they become available — subscriptions are tied to an account so your progress and benefits stay with you.

Question 44

Can I study without creating an account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can try HSKacer as a guest on the device you are using. Progress is local until you register and sync. Create an account when you want backup, multi-device sync, and subscriptions tied to your profile.

Question 45

How do I sync progress across devices?

Accepted Answer

Sign in with the same account on each device. Cloud study data (progress, sessions, stars) follows the account after sync. Avoid long stretches of guest-only study on a second phone if you already have an account — sign in first.

Question 46

How do I protect my account?

Accepted Answer

Use a strong unique password or Google sign-in. Where available, enable two-factor authentication (MFA) in Account for an extra step at login. Only one device can stay signed in at a time: signing in elsewhere signs out the previous device within a few minutes.

Question 47

Why is there an M/F selector?

Accepted Answer

The optional M/F choice is for aggregate statistics: it helps us understand who uses HSKacer as an audience, without affecting how you study. It also lets the home page greet you appropriately (for example welcome / welcome back in the gendered form for your language — benvenuto/benvenuta in Italian).

Question 48

How do I wipe all study progress?

Accepted Answer

Account / Settings offers a full progress reset when you intentionally want a clean slate. It is separate from resetting one deck’s levels. Full reset cannot be undone. Export or screenshot anything you need first.

Question 49

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Account settings include account deletion / data rights flows described in the Privacy Policy. Deletion removes access to synced study data tied to that login. If you also subscribed, cancel billing in the customer portal so renewals stop.