Gaokao

The Gaokao, or National Higher Education Entrance Examination, is an annual academic examination administered by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It is a critical high-stakes exam that determines a student's admission to higher education institutions in China. The exam is typically held over a period of two to three days in early June each year, with millions of students participating nationwide.

The Gaokao covers a range of subjects, with the exact curriculum and structure varying slightly by province. Core subjects generally include Chinese language and literature, mathematics, and English. Students then choose elective subjects, often from a combination of science (physics, chemistry, biology) or humanities (history, geography, politics). The difficulty and scope of the exam are designed to be comprehensive, assessing a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills acquired during secondary education.

Admission to universities is highly competitive and largely based on Gaokao scores. Top-tier universities have extremely high cut-off scores, making performance on the Gaokao a determining factor in a student's future academic and career prospects. The intense pressure associated with the Gaokao has led to widespread societal attention and debate, with discussions often focusing on its fairness, the rigor of preparation, and its impact on student well-being. Despite criticisms, the Gaokao remains a central pillar of China's education system, viewed by many as a meritocratic pathway for social mobility.