English comprehension tests may soon be incorporated into the college entrance exam, and a trial run of the new test has been scheduled to begin next September. According to education authorities, if the trial proves to be a success, the new test will officially be implemented in 2014 at the earliest.

Many high school students can read and write English but they might have problems in English listening comprehension.

In order to raise students' English capability, College Entrance Examination Center is to begin a trial test on the subject starting next September.

According to the center, in most Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, the test subject is included in the joint college entrance exam and Taiwan is the last country to follow suits.

It would be another three years before the test subject is officially included in the joint college entrance exam.

The trial program is planned to be held twice a year, on the third Sunday of April and September each year.

The test length is 50 minutes.

The test contains conversations and short talks.

All the subjects will come from high school textbooks.

10th to 12th graders can take the test, which will cost a lot cheaper than other available English tests.

The center stressed that it will not include English listening comprehension the test without thorough evaluation.

Even if it is to be included in the test, it will be in 2014.

So parents and students don't need to be too worried.