CET-4 exam at a glance
50 full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length mocks
Each is a distinct question set built on the real 57-question, 125-minute pattern, with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first is free; unlock all 50 forever for $1.99 (one-time, no subscription).
CET-4 key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | National College English Testing Committee, under the Ministry of Education of China (administered via the National Education Examinations Authority) |
|---|---|
| Official website | cet.neea.edu.cn ↗ |
| Mode | A paper-based national test (with audio for the listening section) taken on campus. It is China’s standard English test for undergraduates. |
| Frequency | Held twice a year, usually in June and December. |
| Scoring & marking | A norm-referenced test scored out of 710 across four parts — Writing, Listening, Reading and Translation (listening and reading each carry the largest weight). There is no official pass/fail line, but 425 is the widely accepted threshold that most universities and employers use. The test runs about 130 minutes. |
| Score validity | The score report is issued once and does not expire, though institutions may prefer recent results. |
| Language | English (test instructions are in Chinese). |
Who is eligible for CET-4?
Registered students at participating Chinese universities and colleges — chiefly non-English-major undergraduates.
Last verified July 2026 against CET — National Education Examinations Authority. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
CET-4 section breakdown
The CET-4 mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.
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Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%)
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Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%)
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Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%)
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Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%)
Marking scheme
+1 per correct. Try your score.
Strategy: CET-4 has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: CET-4 (0-710, pass 425).
How CET-4 is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
CET-4 time strategy
With 57 questions in 125 minutes, you have about 132 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%)
- Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%)
- Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%)
- Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
CET-4 topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of CET-4, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%)
- Writing — Essay · 1
Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%)
- Listening — Passage: Passage: morning exercise · 4
- Listening — News report: News: library opening hours · 3
- Listening — News report: News: new bus route · 3
- Listening — News report: News: campus job fair · 3
- Listening — Conversation: Conversation: course registration · 3
- Listening — Conversation: Conversation: group project · 3
- Listening — Conversation: Conversation: overdue book · 3
- Listening — Passage: Passage: online shopping · 3
Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%)
- Reading — Banked Cloze · 18
- Reading — Passage Comprehension · 12
Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%)
- Translation — Chinese to English · 1
CET-4 difficulty calibration
Intermediate tier. Intermediate-level: assumes a working command of the syllabus. Most candidates need 2-4 months of focused prep.
Official CET-4 structure: Writing (15%) + Listening Comprehension (35%) + Reading Comprehension (35%) + Translation (15%). Tests English; total score 710, passing 425. 50 no-repeat tests. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's CET-4 bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for CET-4
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
CET-4 study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- Build the CET-4 vocabulary list
- Practise listening daily to build recognition speed
- Read to grow reading speed
- Build writing templates and practise timed essays
- Drill Chinese-to-English translation
- Work reading question types
- Work recent real papers under the ~130-minute timing
- Target the 425 threshold comfortably
- Review weak sections
Where CET-4 can take you
A strong CET-4 result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- University requirement
- Employability signal
- Gateway to CET-6
- Foundation for study abroad
Best books & official prep for CET-4
- CET-4 past papers (四级真题) — Various publishers
- CET-4 vocabulary and listening practice — New Oriental / Xinghuo
Official practice: Build the CET-4 vocabulary list, practise listening daily, and drill translation and writing templates; work recent real papers under the 130-minute timing.
Previous-year papers: Past CET-4 papers are widely available and are the best guide to the format and difficulty.
Sample CET-4 practice questions
5 questions taken from the CET-4 mock tests on Wrexa Edge. Try each one, then reveal the answer.
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Q1. What change has the library announced?
- It will extend its opening hours during exams.
- It will close two hours earlier.
- It will reduce the number of staff.
- It will open a new building.
Show answer
Answer: A — It will extend its opening hours during exams.
The library will stay open until midnight on weekdays during the exam period.
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Q2. New technology has ___ the way people communicate with one another.
- transferred
- translated
- transported
- transformed
Show answer
Answer: D — transformed
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Q3. Until what time will the library stay open on weekdays?
- Midnight.
- 10 p.m.
- 9 p.m.
- 2 a.m.
Show answer
Answer: A — Midnight.
It will now stay open until midnight, two hours later than usual.
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Q4. The report provides strong ___ to support the researcher's main argument.
- evidence
- influence
- experience
- appearance
Show answer
Answer: A — evidence
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Q5. What else will be available according to the spokesperson?
- The third-floor reading rooms.
- A free coffee service.
- Online tutoring.
- A new car park.
Show answer
Answer: A — The third-floor reading rooms.
The reading rooms on the third floor would also be available.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the CET-4 exam pattern?
- College English Test Band 4 (China) contains 57 questions across 4 sections: Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%), Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%), Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%), Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%). Total duration is 125 minutes (about 132 seconds per question).
- Does CET-4 have negative marking?
- No — CET-4 has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is CET-4 scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 710. CET-4 (0-710, pass 425).
- How can I practise CET-4 online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you a free full-length CET-4 mock test — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 49 more with a one-time $1.99 unlock that never expires. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of CET-4?
- CET-4 is rated Intermediate difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Intermediate-level: assumes a working command of the syllabus. Most candidates need 2-4 months of focused prep. Official CET-4 structure: Writing (15%) + Listening Comprehension (35%) + Reading Comprehension (35%) + Translation (15%). Tests English; total score 710, passing 425. 50 no-repeat tests. · Official language: English.
- How long is the CET-4 exam?
- CET-4 runs for 125 minutes total across 4 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in CET-4?
- CET-4 is split into: Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%), Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%), Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%), Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Official CET-4 structure: Writing (15%) + Listening Comprehension (35%) + Reading Comprehension (35%) + Translation (15%). Tests English; total score 710, passing 425. 50 no-repeat tests. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during CET-4?
- No special tools are required.
- Is the CET-4 test adaptive?
- No — CET-4 is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many CET-4 mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct CET-4 variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first one free for everyone and 49 more with a one-time $1.99 unlock. That's 2850 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free CET-4 test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge CET-4 test series for 2026 gives you a free full-length mock test (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are CET-4 previous year question–style papers included?
- Every CET-4 mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 57-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free CET-4 mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's CET-4 mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the CET-4 mock test on mobile?
- Yes. CET-4 mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the CET-4 syllabus?
- The CET-4 syllabus maps to its 4 sections: Writing — Essay (30 min · 15%), Listening Comprehension (25 Q · 25 min · 35%), Reading Comprehension (30 Q · 40 min · 35%), Translation — Chinese to English (Writing · 30 min · 15%). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for CET-4?
- Registered students at participating Chinese universities and colleges — chiefly non-English-major undergraduates. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic CET-4 practice: a free full-length mock in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the CET-4 exam and how should I prepare?
- Official CET-4 exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you a free CET-4 mock with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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