Gaokao facts for kids

The National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), often called the Gaokao (高考), is a very important test in mainland China. It is held every year in early June. This exam helps decide which students get into universities and colleges across the country.

Even though it's called "National," each province in China manages its own version of the exam. The Ministry of Education of China helps coordinate everything. All high school students must take the Gaokao at the end of their last year if they want to go to a higher education school.

A 2013 banner at Chongqing Nankai Secondary School announcing it as an examination venue for the 2013 National Higher Education Entrance Examination

Parents and teachers outside Beijing Bayi School during the 2016 National College Entrance Examination

Results as issued in Liaoning Province in 2018

Exploring the Gaokao's Past

How the Gaokao Began

The very first Gaokao was held a long time ago, in August 1952. This test was a big step in how students were chosen for universities in the newly formed People's Republic of China. Over the years, the rules for the exam changed many times.

In the mid-1960s, the exam was stopped for about ten years. During this time, many young people were sent to work in the countryside. When universities started again in the early 1970s, students were chosen by special committees, not by test scores.

However, in late 1977, a leader named Deng Xiaoping brought back the traditional academic exams. This was a huge moment for education in China. The Gaokao has been used ever since. It shows how important hard work and academic success are in Chinese culture, much like ancient imperial exams.

A banner on the HUST campus in Wuhan congratulates top exam score achievers from the university-affiliated high school

Gaokao Numbers Through the Years

The number of students taking the Gaokao has grown a lot. In 2006, about 9.5 million students applied for university. Over 5.4 million of them were accepted.

By 2017, 9.4 million students took the exam. About 7 million of these students got into colleges or universities. Some provinces had lower acceptance rates for top universities than others.

In 2018, the number of students grew to 9.75 million. A large number, about 7.9 million, were admitted to higher education.

Gaokao During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, the Gaokao was postponed by one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China. It was held in July instead of June. Students took the exams with special health measures, like temperature checks and masks.

The exam returned to its usual June schedule in 2021. However, in 2022, Shanghai delayed its local Gaokao until July because of a city-wide outbreak. That year, a record 11.93 million students registered for the exam across China.

Growing Opportunities for Higher Education

Since 1977, the number of universities and colleges in China has increased every year. This growth has led to more students taking the Gaokao and more students being accepted into universities. For example, in 1977, only about 5% of examinees were accepted. By 2023, this number had risen to nearly 85%. This shows a big increase in opportunities for students to pursue higher education.

Changes in Gaokao Subjects

The subjects tested in the Gaokao have changed over time. In the past, students often chose between "art" subjects (like history and geography) or "science" subjects (like physics and chemistry). There were also required subjects for everyone, such as Chinese, mathematics, and a foreign language.

The "3+1+2" Exam System

This system was introduced in 2019 in many provinces. It gives students more choices for their subjects.

• The first "3" means three required subjects: Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language. Each of these subjects is worth 150 points out of a total of 750.
• The "1" means students choose either Physics or History. This subject is worth 100 points.
• The "2" means students choose two more subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Political Science, and Geography. These are called "Grading Exams."

The scores for the "Grading Exams" are converted into a special "band score" to make them fair. This system has been widely adopted across China by 2024.

The "3+3" Exam System

This system has been used in places like Shanghai and Zhejiang since 2014. Other areas like Beijing and Tianjin also started using it in 2017.

• The first "3" stands for three required subjects: Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language (like English, Japanese, or French).
• The second "3" stands for three subjects students choose from a list. This list includes Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Political Science, and History. These are also "Grading Exams."

To take these exams, students must first pass a "Qualifying Exam" for high school subjects. This exam simply checks if students have learned the basic knowledge.

The Gaokao Process

Getting Ready for the Exam

Students register for the Gaokao in the winter before the exam year. They fill out an online form with their personal details and choose their elective subjects. Everyone must take Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language (usually English). Students then choose three more subjects from natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) or liberal arts (history, geography, political science).

There are some general rules students must follow:

• They must follow the laws of China.
• They need a high school diploma or an equivalent.
• They must be in good health.
• They must agree to follow all exam rules.

Before the Gaokao, students also have medical check-ups. This helps identify any health issues that might affect their future university major choices. For example, students with certain vision problems might not be able to apply for military schools.

Taking the Examination

The Gaokao is held at the end of the spring semester. High school graduates across China take the exam at the same time, usually over two to four days.

Getting Admitted to University

The Gaokao score is almost the only thing that decides if a student gets into university. Students who want to go to university spend a lot of time studying for this exam. If they don't do well, some students might repeat their last year of high school to try again.

After getting their scores, students apply to universities by listing their preferred choices. These choices are often grouped into different levels, like top universities or vocational colleges. Some universities outside mainland China, like those in Hong Kong and Malaysia, also accept Gaokao scores.

Challenges and Concerns of the Gaokao

Fairness Across Regions

One concern about the Gaokao is that it might not be fair for everyone. Universities often accept more students from their home province. Since some provinces have more universities or better educational resources, students from other provinces might face tougher competition to get into the same schools. This means a student in one province might need a much higher score than a student in another province to get into the same university. This has sometimes led families to move to a different province just to improve their child's chances.

Challenges for Migrant Children

Children whose families move to a new region for work often face difficulties with the Gaokao. They are usually required to take the exam in the region where their family is officially registered. This can be a problem if they have lived and studied in a different province for many years. However, some regions have started to make it easier for these children to take the exam where they live.

Special Points and Fairness

In the past, some students could get extra points on the Gaokao for things like being part of an ethnic minority, winning academic competitions, or excelling in sports. However, to make the exam fairer, the government has been reducing these bonus points. By 2025, many of these extra points, especially for sports and arts, were removed. This change aims to ensure that students are chosen mainly based on their academic performance.

Dealing with Pressure

The Gaokao is known for being a very high-pressure exam. Because it's so important for a student's future, both students and teachers feel a lot of stress. Teachers often focus on helping students memorize information and practice for the test. This can sometimes mean less focus on creative thinking or students' feelings. Many students experience significant stress and anxiety during this time.

The Gaokao's Influence

The Gaokao deeply affects the lives of most Chinese teenagers and their families. Its importance has grown as more students take the exam each year. In 2023, nearly 13 million students took the Gaokao. With top universities accepting only a small number of students, competition is very high. Doing well on the Gaokao can greatly help students find jobs after graduation.

Some educators believe that while the Gaokao is great for testing memory, it might not fully develop other skills like problem-solving or leadership. The intense focus on the exam creates a "Gaokao-above-all" mindset, putting immense pressure on students and parents. The challenges of the Gaokao have also led to "Gaokao migration," where families move to different provinces to try and get a better chance for their children in the exam.

See also

In Spanish: Gaokao para niños

• Class of 1977 (China)
• College Scholastic Ability Test (Suneung, Korea)
• Education in China
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
• Higher education in China
• Imperial examination
• Joint Entrance Examination – Main
• List of admission tests to colleges and universities
• List of universities and colleges in China
• Zhongkao (Junior High School Scholastic Aptitude Examination, China)