By CHEN Zhenfang
Xi'an Jiao Tong University will no longer make success on the College English Test (CET) a condition of graduation.
The CET is the standard English exam in China. Introduced in 1987, the exam no longer has a pass or fail threshold, and the Ministry of Education has never mandated English scores as a criterion for degree conferral. However, Chinese universities have commonly considered scoring 425 points or higher on CET-4 as a prerequisite for obtaining a degree.
It all began with the perceived importance of English during reform and opening up. Many companies also place emphasis on CET certificates, though the exam has long been considered inadequate. Consequently, many students opt for other exams like TOEFL or IELTS.
Apart from Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Peking University, South China University of Technology, and Northeastern University have already eliminated the English proficiency requirement.
Institutions with lower student quality may choose to maintain the link between English scores and graduation, while higher-quality schools are lifting this restriction.
University English education is shifting away from an exam-centric approach and prioritizing practical language skills.
