What is Gaokao?

In China, applying to college is about one thing and one thing only: the gaokao.

Gaokao is short item for “The National Higher Education Entrance Examination”.

A student’s score on this all-important standardized test is pretty much the only thing that matters when it comes to determining whether or not they can go to college—and if they can, which schools they can attend.

When do you take the Gaokao?

The gaokao is held once annually at the end of the school year. Third-year high school students (high school in china lasts three years) generally take the test, although anyone may register for it if they desire to. The test generally lasts for two or three days.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)