Overview
NCRE (全国计算机等级考试, the National Computer Rank Examination) is a national computer-skills exam run by the Ministry of Education's National Education Examinations Authority. It has four levels, from basic operation skills up to engineer-level professional skills. Every level is taken on a computer with a common national paper.
Who can apply
There is no limit on age, occupation or education. You choose the level and subject that suits your ability. Registration follows the process published by your provincial organiser, and you need a valid ID: a resident ID card, Hong Kong or Macau travel permit, Taiwan travel permit, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residence permit, or a passport.
Exam pattern
Each exam is one subject, identified by a subject code. The table lists every subject on the official site.
| Level | Subjects (code) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Computer basics and WPS Office (14); computer basics and MS Office (15); computer basics and Photoshop (16); network security awareness (17); AI and large-model basics (18) | 90 minutes |
| Level 2 | C (24); Java (28); Access (29); C++ (61); MySQL (63); Web programming (64); MS Office advanced application (65); Python (66); WPS Office advanced application (67); openGauss (68); CAD design and application (69) | 120 minutes |
| Level 3 | Network technology (35); database technology (36); information security technology (38); embedded systems development technology (39); Linux application and development technology (71) | 120 minutes |
| Level 4 | Network engineer (41); database engineer (42); information security engineer (44); embedded systems development engineer (45); Linux application and development engineer (46) | 90 minutes |
Level 1 tests basic computer knowledge and operation, Level 2 tests programming or advanced office application, Level 3 is the pre-engineer level, and Level 4 is the engineer level. A Level 4 subject requires you to already hold the matching Level 3 certificate (for example, Network engineer needs the Network technology certificate).
Marking and results
Scores are out of 100 and published as grades: 90 to 100 excellent, 80 to 89 good, 60 to 79 pass, below 60 fail. For Level 2 language and database subjects, scoring under half of the multiple-choice marks is a fail whatever the total. Since 2022, successful candidates can download and print an electronic certificate. If you question a score, apply in writing to your test centre within five working days of results being published.
Important dates
NCRE is held twice a year nationwide, normally from the last Saturday of March to the following Monday and from the second-to-last Saturday of September to the following Monday. The September 2026 exam is on 19 to 21 September 2026. Each provincial organiser sets its own registration dates.
How to apply
Register online through the NCRE registration platform linked from the official site, following your province's process. After paying, you can print your admit card yourself, or the test centre may print it for you. Bring the admit card and the ID you registered with, and arrive at least 20 minutes early. Late candidates are not admitted, and nobody may leave in the first 15 minutes.
FAQs
Can I go straight to Level 4 without taking Level 3?
No. Level 4 is for candidates who already hold the related Level 3 certificate.
How often is NCRE held?
Twice a year nationwide, in March and September.