As the sun rose over Beijing on Saturday, hopeful parents gathered outside a bustling test center, their faces a mix of pride, anxiety, and anticipation. Among millions of students across China, they prepared to sit for the first day of the highly competitive university entrance exam, the gaokao a pivotal moment in their lives.
This year, a total of 13.35 million students registered for the multi-subject exam, according to the Ministry of Education. While slightly fewer than last year’s record 13.42 million, the significance remains immense. For many, this exam is more than just a test; it’s a gateway to higher education, influencing future career prospects and social mobility.
At a secondary school in central Beijing, a mother named Chen expressed her pride and hope. “Twelve years of hard work have finally led to this moment,” she said, waving a fan as her daughter reviewed her notes one last time. Chen added, “We know our kids have endured so much hardship. I’m not nervous. I’m actually quite excited. I believe she will do her best and get a great score.”
The gaokao challenges students in subjects like Chinese, English, mathematics, science, and humanities, demanding the full extent of their knowledge and skills. The results not only determine university admissions but also influence whether they attend prestigious institutions or more modest ones.
Support from teachers and family is everywhere, with encouragement signs and traditional symbols of luck. Some students, dressed in school uniforms, showed signs of stress, with tears in their eyes or anxious expressions. “There’s no need for us parents to add pressure,” said Wang, a mother whose son was entering the exam hall. She wore a traditional qipao, hoping it would bring him good fortune.
Despite the soaring expansion of higher education in China, the job market remains competitive and challenging. According to recent statistics, 15.8 percent of urban youth aged 16 to 24 are unemployed, adding to the pressure on young graduates to succeed.
To ensure a fair and secure exam, authorities have intensified measures against cheating. Police patrol exam zones, roads are closed off, and in some places, facial recognition technology is used to prevent fraud. Cities also ban horn-honking near test centers to maintain a quiet environment conducive to concentration.
While the gaokao boasts an admission rate exceeding 80 to 90 percent in recent years, many students face disappointment and choose to retake the exam, sometimes multiple times. With no age limit, some have become notorious for sitting the test repeatedly, hoping for a better outcome or to gain entry into their top-choice university.
One teacher at a Beijing school estimated that only about 10 of the 600 final-year students would secure a place at one of the city’s top universities. Jiang, a student with a dream of studying in Beijing, remained calm before his Chinese exam, confident yet aware of the intense competition. “Even though the pressure is intense, it’s actually quite fair,” he said.
As the day unfolds, millions of Chinese students face the culmination of years of effort, with hopes high and nerves steady, ready to embrace whatever future their results will bring.
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