Overview
TEM-4 and TEM-8 (Test for English Majors, Grades Four and Eight) are national tests for English majors in Chinese universities. They are run by the Test Office for Foreign Language Majors in Higher Education under the guidance of the Ministry of Education's teaching steering committee. Since 1990 they have served as teaching-assessment tests inside English programmes, which institutions join voluntarily. They are paper-based.
Who can apply
Candidates must be registered English-major students admitted through the national gaokao. TEM-4 is for the foundation stage, normally second-year undergraduates. TEM-8 is for the senior stage, normally fourth-year undergraduates. Students who did not pass TEM-4 may also sit TEM-8 in their fourth year. The exact eligibility rules, including types of programme, are set out each year in a notice sent to the test-centre universities, so check with your own university.
Exam pattern
TEM-4
About 130 minutes in six parts, with 67 questions and 100 marks in total.
| Part | Type | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dictation | Written answer, 1 item | 10 | About 10 minutes |
| Listening comprehension | A lecture and conversations, 20 questions | 20 | About 20 minutes |
| Language knowledge | Multiple choice, 20 questions | 20 | 10 minutes |
| Cloze | Multiple choice, 10 questions | 10 | 10 minutes |
| Reading comprehension | 10 multiple choice and 5 short-answer questions | 20 | 35 minutes |
| Writing | One essay of at least 200 words based on a reading text | 20 | 45 minutes |
TEM-8
About 150 minutes in five parts: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, language knowledge, Chinese-to-English translation and writing. Part-by-part marks and times for TEM-8 were not given in the sources used here, so check the TEM-8 syllabus.
Important dates
The two tests are each held once a year in the first half of the year. For 2026, TEM-8 was set for Saturday 21 March and TEM-4 for Sunday 14 June, starting at 8:30. Registration runs through test-centre universities, starting in early November with an expected close in early December. Your own university sets the exact registration dates.
Fees
Fees are set by each university. One test-centre university charged CNY 45 for TEM-8 and CNY 40 for TEM-4 for the 2026 round.
How to apply
Registration is organised only by the test-centre university of the student, and each accepts only its own students. Follow your department's notice, which usually asks for a class registration form and the fee.
After the exam
TEM-4 results are normally published in mid to late September, and TEM-8 results in early to mid June. You collect results and certificates from your university. Lost certificates are not reissued, but a proof of results can be requested from your university within four years of the certificate issue date.
Is TEM open to anyone?
No. Only registered English-major students at participating universities can take it.
Can I sit TEM-8 without passing TEM-4?
Yes. Students who did not pass TEM-4 can sit TEM-8 in their fourth year.