Tomorrow it is the annual college entrance examination (高考gāo kǎo) again. Every year at this time, it influences many students and their parents. Gāokǎo could be the turning point of some’s life, of which the success can change their family. Imagining the sight of thousands of troops crossing the single bridge, my mind flies back to decade ago when I took it and experienced how tense this competition has been. Since the whole society is paying attention to the college entrance examination, what does gāokǎo mean for Chinese people?
What is Gāokǎo?
Gāokǎo is equivalent to SAT (academic assessment test in the United States) or similar college entrance examination in other countries but different in terms of frequency or level of difficulty. Taking the exam is the prerequisite before moving on to undergraduate study in China’s higher education institution, which can decide one’s professional trajectory.
Students take part in the test at the last year of secondary education (including middle school and high school). Who fails in the first time will choose to repeat the last year of high school life and make a second attempt to retake the test because a poor performance on the test means no opportunity to enter university.
Three mandatory subjects for test are Chinese (语文 yǔwén), Mathematics (数学 shùxué) and Foreign Language (外语 wàiyǔ) while another optional subject based on students’ choice of preference on science (理科 lǐkē) or art (文科 wénkē). The overall mark is the weighted sum of every single subject mark. There are around five million university spots every year. Students list their university and major preferences before test. The test will be administered for two days in 2020, July 7 and July 8.
Can foreign students take Gāokǎo?
The answer is NO. China’s gāokǎo is a special examination system for Chinese high school graduates in China. The purpose is to select excellent students and young talents for further study and training in Chinese university.
The admission rate of gāokǎo is comparatively higher in China these years but still seems low compared with western countries’ test. If you want to study in China’s university, you can apply as an international student. Some general university is exempt from the examination, while the universities with high reputation and better resources require entrance examination.
Gāokǎo 2020 Keyword: Safe & Heartwarming
Due to this year’s pandemic situation, prevention and safety is the top priority of the preparatory work for college entrance examination. There will be more than 400 thousand exam sites across the country. With the important days approaching, all localities have issued policies and tips for the exam and carried out emergency drills. All people entering examination sites need to take temperature test and wear mask, only when the temperature is below 37.3 ℃ can they enter.
At the same time, heartwarming actions in different industries also happen. Entering the hot season, in order to let the examinees have a comfortable space, many test sites are equipped with air conditioners. Night inspection of construction sites has been carried out for students to have a quiet environment. In some cities, taxis and social vehicles will participate in this year’s voluntary service to pick up candidates. Students of distant test sites can also make an appointment in advance to book free vehicle service.
Gāokǎo is like a campaign. You will not regret only when you dare to fight. Wish all candidates realize their dream. 2020 gāokǎo fighting, 2020 gāokǎo jiāyóu!
