China’s annual national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, officially began on June 7, with 12.9 million students registered to take part in what is widely regarded as the world’s largest college entrance exam.
The examination, which serves as the primary gateway to higher education in China, will run from June 7 to June 8 in most parts of the country. Some provinces will continue testing through June 10 because of different subject schedules, according to China’s Ministry of Education.
Across China, the first day of the exam brought scenes of encouragement, anxiety and hope. In Beijing, students carrying admission documents and stationery entered examination halls under the watch of security personnel and police officers. Parents gathered outside school gates, many dressed in red, a traditional color associated with luck and success.
In Guiyang, teachers and families cheered candidates as they arrived at testing centers, while in Jiangsu Province crowds gathered outside schools to send off students before the examination began. In Jilin, parents waited in rainy weather to encourage their children. In Xinjiang, long lines of candidates formed outside exam venues, while in Anhui staff members assisted disabled students entering examination centers.
Some cities added unique touches to ease tension. In Nanjing, a robot was seen cheering on candidates, while in Rugao a police officer wearing badge number “985” high-fived students. The number is widely associated with China’s elite “Project 985” universities and has become a symbol of academic achievement.
More Than Just an Exam
The gaokao remains one of the most influential examinations in the world because university admission decisions depend heavily on student scores. For many families, years of preparation culminate during these few days of testing.
However, attitudes toward the exam are gradually changing. Speaking to AFP outside a Beijing testing center, some parents said they now place greater emphasis on physical and mental well-being than on gaining admission to elite universities. Student Zhang Xinnan, who hopes to work in China’s growing new-energy vehicle industry, admitted feeling nervous but said confidence and preparation were key to success.
The changing outlook reflects broader economic realities. China has expanded university education significantly over the past two decades, but graduates now face a more competitive labor market. Official figures show youth unemployment remains a challenge, increasing pressure on students to make the right education and career choices. These concerns mirror wider discussions about student opportunities and educational outcomes highlighted during International Students Day 2025.
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National Support Effort
Ahead of the examination, the Ministry of Education instructed local authorities to strengthen public security, transportation services, food safety monitoring, heat prevention measures, noise control and psychological counseling for candidates. The measures are intended to ensure students can focus entirely on their performance during the country’s most important academic event.
For millions of families, the gaokao is more than a test. It represents opportunity, ambition and the hope of securing a place at a university that can shape future career prospects. As results are expected later this month, China’s 12.9 million candidates now face the decisive days that could determine the next chapter of their lives.
Official information about China’s education policies and examination system is available through the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.
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