College English Level 4 | Nanny-level Exam Preparation Guide

Exam Introduction#

The National College English Test (CET) is a large-scale standardized test sponsored by the Ministry of Education and administered by the National Education Examinations Authority (formerly the Ministry of Education Testing Center). It is a nationwide teaching examination aimed at promoting English teaching in Chinese universities and objectively and accurately measuring the English proficiency of college students, providing services to improve the quality of English courses in Chinese universities. CET was established in 1987 and has had a positive impact on the development and reform of English teaching in Chinese universities over the past thirty years.

The written CET exams are held in June and December each year, while the oral exams are held in May and November. Candidates who wish to take the oral exams must first register for the corresponding level of written exams.

CET also includes non-English subjects, including Japanese Level 4 (CJT4), Japanese Level 6 (CJT6), Russian Level 4 (CRT4), Russian Level 6 (CRT6), German Level 4 (CGT4), German Level 6 (CGT6), and French Level 4 (CFT4). These exams are held once a year in June and are all written exams without oral exams.

Official Website#

National College English Test (CET) - China Education Examination Network

Exam Schedule#

There are two exams held each year, one in the first half of the year and one in the second half. The registration for the first half of the year starts in mid-March, and the exam takes place in mid-June. The registration for the second half of the year starts in mid-September, and the exam takes place in mid-December.

Exam Process#

8:40 | Candidates enter the exam venue
Present the admission ticket, ID card, and student ID, undergo prohibited item inspection, mobile phones are strictly prohibited in the exam venue, bring your own listening headphones, adjust the headphones to the correct frequency, otherwise you will not receive the exam audio.
9:00 | Distribution of exam papers and answer sheets
Read the "Notice to Candidates" on the front of the exam booklet, check the printing quality of the exam booklet, barcode, and answer sheet, affix the barcode, and fill in the candidate's personal information.
9:10 | Official start of the exam (essay question)
Write the essay first, the essay exam lasts for 30 minutes, write it inside the exam booklet, and after completing the essay, proceed to the listening exam.
9:40 | Listening section
The listening exam lasts for 25 minutes, the listening questions do not have question stems, and each question is played only once, so before doing the listening section, you must first skim through the questions, underline key words and identify the subject, verb, and object. While listening, underline the words you hear, as they are mostly the answers, this is the principle of audio-visual consistency. While doing the questions, underline the answer on the answer sheet, as there is no time to do it after listening.
10:05 | Collection of essays and listening answer sheets
Stop answering for 5 minutes, collect the essays and listening answer sheets.
10:10 | Continue with the exam (reading and translation sections)
Start answering the reading and translation questions.
11:20 | End of the exam
Collect the answer sheets for the reading and translation sections, and leave the exam venue after the invigilator has finished checking.

Types of Questions#

Writing#

Type: Short essay writing
Number of questions: 1
Score: 106.5 points
Score proportion: 15%
Exam time: 30 minutes
Priority: First

Listening Comprehension#

Content: Short news, long conversations, passages
Number of questions: 8 passages, 25 questions in total
Score: 248.5 points in total
Exam time: 25 minutes
Priority: Second

Section A | Short News#

Type: Multiple choice
Number of passages: 3, 7 questions in total
Score: 7.1 points per question, 49.7 points in total
Score proportion: 7%

Section B | Long Conversations#

Type: Multiple choice
Number of passages: 2, 8 questions in total
Score: 7.1 points per question, 56.8 points in total
Score proportion: 8%

Section C | Passages#

Type: Multiple choice
Number of passages: 3, 10 questions in total
Score: 14.2 points per question, 142 points in total
Score proportion: 20%

This is the highest-scoring multiple-choice question type in the entire Level 4 exam, and it requires special attention.

Reading Comprehension#

Content: Vocabulary comprehension, long reading passages, intensive reading
Number of questions: 4 passages, 30 questions in total
Score: 248.5 points in total
Exam time: 40 minutes
Priority: Third

Section A | Vocabulary Comprehension#

Type: Fill in the blanks with selected words
Number of passages: 1, 10 questions in total
Score: 3.55 points per question, 35.5 points in total
Score proportion: 5%

The passages are around 200-250 words long, and it is the most difficult question in the reading section, it takes time and is difficult to score high.

Section B | Long Reading Passages#

Type: Matching
Number of passages: 1
Score: 7.1 points per question, 71 points in total
Score proportion: 10%

The passages are around 1000 words long, and it is the easiest question in the reading section.

Section C | Intensive Reading#

Type: Multiple choice
Number of passages: 2
Score: 14.2 points per question, 142 points in total
Score proportion: 20%

Each passage is around 300-350 words long and tests grammar knowledge extensively.

Translation#

Content: Chinese to English translation
Type: Paragraph translation
Number of questions: 1
Score: 106.5 points
Score proportion: 15%
Exam time: 30 minutes
Priority: Fourth

The translation is around 140-160 words long and is related to social hot topics, economic development, Chinese traditions, and historical culture.

Essential Items for the Exam#

Black ballpoint pen
2B pencil
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
CET listening headphones (search for "CET headphones" on Taobao, priced around 20-30 yuan)
Admission ticket
Student ID
ID card

Other Tips#

Memorize the vocabulary from past CET exams. Regardless of any language exam, any difficulty, or any question type, vocabulary is the most important prerequisite. Insufficient vocabulary will result in not understanding the listening section and not being able to comprehend the reading section.
At least go through past CET exams once.
Memorize essay templates and fixed phrases.
CET exams not only test knowledge but also test speed. The more you practice, the better your sense of answering questions will be.
In addition to knowledge, speed, concentration, and mindset, persistence is the key to success in any exam. Inadequate preparation and inconsistent study habits are not advisable. If you have sufficient preparation time and can stay committed, that is the best.
The essay and listening sections are on the same exam paper. Under normal circumstances, even if you finish writing the essay faster than others, you are not allowed to flip over and look at the reading questions in advance. However, some exam venues may have more relaxed invigilators who allow it.

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