Which is Easier, Subject One or Subject Four?

[Santiago]

Subject One and Subject Four are quite similar. Related introduction: 1. Subject One: Subject One, also known as the theoretical test for drivers, is part of the assessment for obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the test content includes the theoretical basis of driving, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and other related knowledge. The test is conducted on a computer, consisting of 100 questions, with a passing score of 90 or above. 2. Subject Four: Subject Four, also known as the theoretical test for drivers, is part of the assessment for obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. After the implementation of the "Ministry of Public Security Order No. 139 of the People's Republic of China," the Subject Three test was divided into two parts. In addition to the road test, a safety and civilization knowledge test was added, commonly referred to as "Subject Four," which assesses "driving ethics."

[VonAaliyah]

I think the Subject 4 test is relatively easier. Last month I just got my driver's license - memorizing those 1,300+ questions for Subject 1 really gave me a headache, with all the traffic rules and signs requiring rote memorization, especially those tricky fine amount questions that were easy to confuse. Although Subject 4 also has over 1,000 questions, it focuses more on practical driving scenario judgments, like how to handle accidents or drive safely in bad weather - these daily-life questions can often be reasoned through with common sense. Our driving school group statistics show Subject 4 pass rates are generally about 5% higher than Subject 1, with many students who have poor memory saying Subject 4 is easier to score on. But I should remind new students that Subject 4 has added multiple-choice questions and animation-based questions now, so don't get too complacent.

[VanStephen]

Based on feedback from my trainees, the main challenge in Subject 1 lies in rote memorization. Traffic signal meanings and dashboard symbols must be memorized thoroughly—failing three questions means retaking the test, which adds significant pressure. Subject 4 focuses on safe driving principles, such as whether to slow down or honk when seeing pedestrians cross the road (these are easy points). Understanding driving logic is much easier than pure memorization. Last week, a trainee in his 40s failed Subject 1 three times but passed Subject 4 on the first try because he could apply life experience to scenario-based questions. However, note that the Subject 4 question bank updates frequently—recently, new questions on EV charging safety were added, so staying updated is crucial.

[BryceMarie]

In a detailed comparison, Subject 1 is more like a traffic regulation test, focusing on specific details such as 'how many points are deducted for speeding on the highway' or 'what do no-entry markings look like.' Subject 4, on the other hand, emphasizes practical application: 'What lights to use in foggy weather?' or 'How to handle a tire blowout?'—questions that are more relevant to real-world driving. Based on my compilation of past exam questions, about 30% of Subject 1 questions involve memorizing numbers, while such questions only account for around 15% in Subject 4. However, Subject 4 has introduced new video-based questions that require identifying hazards in animations, which might be challenging for those with slower reaction times. Personally, I recommend first mastering the Subject 1 question bank to build a solid foundation, as much of Subject 4 content overlaps with Subject 1, making study sessions more efficient.

[StLeah]

The key difference lies in the examination objectives. Subject 1 tests foundational knowledge of traffic regulations, requiring mastery of over 140 knowledge points like assembling a puzzle. Subject 4 focuses on decision-making skills for safe driving, using scenario-based questions to assess 'what to do in this situation'. For example, Subject 1 might ask 'the pattern of a stop sign', while Subject 4 would present 'how to proceed when seeing a school zone sign'. However, Subject 4's multiple-choice questions have lower scoring rates – for instance, in a 'brake failure during rain' question, missing even one correct option out of three counts as wrong. Candidates with extensive driving experience typically find Subject 4's common-sense judgments more advantageous.

[BriannaRose]

From my observation of different trainees, study habits determine the perceived difficulty. Young people who are good at memorization often find Subject One easy, as the question bank is fixed; while middle-aged individuals with life experience adapt better to the logical analysis required in Subject Four. For example, a typical question in Subject One is 'What does this yellow sign indicate?', whereas in Subject Four, it becomes 'How should you drive when you see this sign?'. It's recommended to take a mock test first for self-assessment: if you make many mistakes on traffic sign questions, practice more on Subject One; if you often hesitate on accident handling questions, focus on Subject Four. Don’t worry too much about time allocation—most driving test apps now offer targeted practice modes to address specific weaknesses.