How Many Times Can You Take the Subject 4 Exam in 2021?
3 Answers
Subject 4 is a theoretical exam with no limit on the number of attempts. Even if you fail Subject 4 five times, you can still schedule another exam after 10 days. Other subjects will not be invalidated, and you do not need to retake them. However, it is important to note that the validity period of the driving skill test permit is three years. If the applicant fails to complete the exams within this period, the results of any previously passed subjects will be invalidated. Subject 4 consists of 50 questions, presented in the form of case studies, images, animations, etc. The total score is 100, with a passing score of 90. Subject 4, also known as the theoretical exam or driver theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. After the implementation of the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123, Subject 3 was divided into two parts: the road test and the safety and civilization knowledge test, commonly referred to as "Subject 4," which evaluates "driving ethics." Subject 4 is not a separate subject but a colloquial term for the safety and civilization driving knowledge test under Subject 3. Officially, there is no "Subject 4." The safety and civilization driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3. Subject 4 Exam Guidelines: Exam Duration: The exam lasts 45 minutes. If you make 12 mistakes (6 questions) during the test, the exam will be terminated. Number of Questions: Depending on the type of driver's license, 50 questions are randomly selected from the corresponding Subject 4 question bank. For car licenses, questions are drawn from a pool of 800, while for large vehicle licenses, they are drawn from 1,023. Each question is worth 2 points. Question Types: The exam includes single-choice questions (including true/false questions) and multiple-choice questions. The first 45 questions are single-choice, and the last 5 are multiple-choice. The questions may include animations, images, scenario identification, and text descriptions. Retake Guidelines: If you fail Subject 4, you only need to retake Subject 4. The driving school will schedule the retake, and there is no limit on the number of attempts. You can retake the exam until you pass, and no retake fee is required. Subject 4 Exam Tips: Strengthen Weak Areas and Identify Mistakes: For marked questions, do not just memorize the correct answers. Instead, refer to regulations, textbooks, or reference materials to understand the reasons for the mistakes and internalize them. Categorize and Summarize Questions: Refer to the question bank analysis to group similar questions. Many questions in the bank are similar and easily confused, so it is helpful to categorize them. For example, traffic signs for walking, pedestrian crossings, and pedestrian warnings are visually similar and can be grouped to avoid confusion. Use Memory Techniques: Many questions in the bank involve numbers. Summarizing these numbers can make them easier to remember.
I know this like the back of my hand! Back in 2021 when I took Subject Four, the rules were pretty much the same as now. You can schedule unlimited attempts for Subject Four within three full years from passing Subject One. I had a friend who took five tries to pass - the catch is paying a retest fee each time, usually around tens of RMB. The only thing to note is there's a mandatory 10-day waiting period between failed attempts, the system automatically locks the dates. I recommend using the Driving Test Prep app for practice, really drilling those wrong answer sets - my cousin passed after intensely focusing on tricky questions for a week. Oh, during COVID you could cancel appointments for free, but that policy might be gone now.
As a seasoned driver who has obtained three driver's licenses, I can definitively tell you: in 2021, there was no limit to the number of attempts for Subject 4! As long as it's within the three-year validity period of the driving test, you can retake it no matter how many times you fail. However, there must be a minimum 10-day interval between each appointment. My instructor said this rule is to prevent exam fatigue. The key points are: you have to pay the exam fee every time, and remember to bring your ID card and driving school records. Here's a tip: when in doubt about multiple-choice questions, opt for fewer selections—missing an option deducts points, but selecting a wrong one results in a full deduction. Finally, I emphasize, don't rush to submit in the exam hall. I've personally witnessed someone submit early and end up with 89 points, beating their chest in regret.
