The College English Test , better known as CET, is a national English as a Foreign Language test in the People's Republic of China. Before the 2005 reform, the full credit was 100 points. This test was held twice a year nationally, in June and December. CET consisted of non-English-specialized band 4 and band 6, and English-specialized band 6 and band 8. The test included listening, reading and writing sections. The oral test was optional and required certain points from the written test. The CET was reformed in 2005. Several changes were made, including:
- Reordered and reorganized sections. More listening and oral sections. New "Skimming and Scanning" and "Translation" sections.
- New grading system. Scores will be curved so the highest is 710, while the lowest is 290.
- Pass mark and qualification certificate elimination. More detailed score report on each section.
- Public service elimination. Only university students can take the test.
A lot of colleges and universities in China require the CET certificate as a necessity for a bachelor diploma. Employers in China prefer applicants with a CET certificate.
