Overview
PETS (Public English Test System, 全国英语等级考试) is a national English proficiency test system designed and run by the Ministry of Education's Education Examinations Authority (教育部教育考试院, formerly the Examination Centre). It has five levels on one common scale. Every level has a written test and an oral test that are independent of each other, and the system stresses practical communication in English.
Who can apply
There is no limit on age, education or household registration, and anyone with a basic knowledge of English can choose a level that suits them. Students who are still in the nine years of compulsory schooling are not currently admitted. You may register for only one level in a given sitting.
Levels or stages
PETS has five levels, 1 to 5. Level 1 is the entry level and is described on the FAQ page as aimed at basic jobs such as taxi driver or hotel staff. The 2025 edition of the syllabus for Levels 1 to 5, published by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, takes effect for Level 1 in 2026 and for Levels 2 to 5 from the second half of 2026. The syllabus documents give the section-by-section structure of each level, and that detail is not repeated here.
Exam pattern
Each level has a written test and an oral test. You can register for the written test, the oral test, or both. The candidate notice lists written-test lengths of 85 minutes for Level 1, 100 minutes each for Levels 2 and 3, and 120 minutes for Level 4. Written tests start at 9:00 and entry closes at 8:45.
Marking and results
A pass needs at least 60 points in the written test and at least 3 points in the oral test. You receive the certificate for a level when you pass both parts of the same level, either in one sitting or in two consecutive sittings. Whether you pass or not, you can download and print a score notice from the NEEA site.
Important dates
The schedule depends on the level:
Levels 1, 2 and 3: March and September each year.
Level 4: September.
Level 5: May and November.
For the second half of 2026, paper-based PETS was set for 19 and 20 September 2026 for Levels 1 to 4, with the written tests on the morning of 19 September and oral tests on the afternoon of 19 September and all of 20 September. A computer-based Level 1 test was set for 13 September 2026. Registration for that round ran from 6 to 10 July 2026, depending on the format. The first-half 2026 round and its results were announced separately on the same site.
Fees
Candidates pay the prescribed fee when registering. The pages used here do not state the amounts, so check the registration notice for your province. Fees are not refunded for mistakes in registration or for missing the exam for personal reasons.
How to apply
Register online through the NEEA PETS registration system during the window in the notice for each sitting. Each notice lists the provinces and cities taking part in that sitting, and provincial education exam agencies handle local arrangements. Valid ID is needed: a resident identity card, passport, or Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan resident permit. You upload a recent passport-style photo. Registering in several provinces at once is not allowed.
After the exam
Scores and certificates are looked up on the NEEA PETS site. Scores for Levels 1 to 4 have no fixed validity, and recruiting bodies and employers decide how long to accept them. Level 5 scores are valid for two years for overseas study purposes.
Can I take only the written or only the oral test?
Yes. You can register for either test or both. To get the certificate you must pass both parts of the same level, in the same sitting or two consecutive ones.
Can I take two levels in the same sitting?
No. Only one level may be registered per sitting.