Gaokao Exam in China 2025: Eligibility, Purpose and More
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Do you know, the National College Entrance Examination of China, Gaokao Exam, is world's toughest test. Know how this intense exam shapes university admissions process and the future of over 13 million Chinese students annually. Also, have an idea about the difficulty level of Gaokao exam vs India's IIT-JEE and NEET.
The official name of Gaokao Exam is National College Entrance Examination of China. Due to the tough competition and intense pressure of the Gaokao Exam, it is the hardest exam in the world . In the year 2025, a total 13.35 million Chinese high school students appeared for the Gaokao exam. It plays an important role in getting admission in Chinese universities.
The Ministry of Education of China conducts the Gaokao Exam once a year. It is an important standardised entrance test in China. In terms of difficulty and competition, the Gaokao exam is often compared to IIT JEE and NEET, which are the toughest exams in India. Remember, the stakes are higher in Gaokao Exam. Let's explore Gaokao Exam in detail.
- What is Gaokao Exam?
- Gaokao Exam Pattern
- Gaokao Pattern vs IIT JEE/NEET Pattern
- Gaokao Exam Syllabus
What is Gaokao Exam?
Gaokao Exam is pronounced as "Gow-kow". It is a higher education entrance examination of China. Objective of this exam is to assess academic achievement of students and fairly allocate college placements across the country. Almost every year, more than 10 million students appear for exam. It was first introduced in year 1952.
Gaokao exam was suspended during Cultural Revolution in China and later reinstated in year 1977. Exam syllabus covers subjects like Chinese and Mathematics. Undoubtedly, it plays a critical role in the Chinese education system.
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| Overview of Gaokao Exam | |
|---|---|
| Full Form |
Gaodeng Kaoshi (National Higher Education Entrance Exam) |
| Conducting Body |
Ministry of Education, China (via provincial authorities) |
| First Introduced |
1952 (Reinstated in 1977) |
| Exam Frequency |
Once a year (usually in June) |
| Eligibility |
High school graduates in China |
| Subjects Tested |
Chinese, Mathematics, English, and Science/Humanities |
| Total Candidates (2025) |
Approx. 13.5 million |
| Exam Duration |
2 to 3 days |
| Purpose |
Admission to top universities in China |
Gaokao Exam Pattern
Gaokao Exam Pattern is well structured around two main academic streams: Science and Humanities. Core subjects of Gaokao exam include Chinese and English. The exam duration is 9 hours in three days. Format typically includes a mix of questions.
Gaokao Pattern vs IIT JEE/NEET Pattern
Here is the point-wise difference between Gaokao and IIT JEE/NEET:
| Aspect |
Gaokao |
IIT-JEE / NEET |
|---|---|---|
| Streams / Subjects |
Science & Humanities (includes Chinese, English, General Knowledge, etc.) |
STEM (IIT-JEE) / Biology-focused (NEET) Physics, Chem, Math/Bio |
| Exam Duration |
2–3 days, multiple subject-wise sessions |
Single session, ~3 hours |
| Language |
Mandarin (Chinese) |
English, Hindi, or other regional languages |
| Question Structure |
Combination of objective + subjective (essays, long answers) |
Mostly objective (MCQs) |
| Syllabus Breadth |
Broad, includes language, core subjects, and general awareness |
Focused syllabus—technical or medical domains only |
| Difficulty Type |
Broad knowledge + endurance-based |
Intense, concept-heavy, time-pressured |
| Selection Rate |
Extremely low; intense national competition |
Low, but slightly higher compared to Gaokao |
Gaokao Exam Syllabus
This exam syllabus includes Mathematics, Chinese, and English as core subjects for every student. Depending on students' stream, they can choose optional subjects. For example, Science students usually take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while Humanities students go for History, Geography, and Politics. Compared to India's toughest exams like IIT JEE and NEET, Gaokao syllabus is broader.
To appear in the Gaokao Exam, applicants need to have citizenship of China with a local household registration (“hukou”). No foreign students can appear for Gaokao exam. They need to follow the admission process for itnernational students, if they want to study in China.
Indian students seeking entry to Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business must present a set of documents including their valid passport along with six months of validity, a university admission letter, a visa application form costing INR 1,840, and recent passport photo. Students aiming for admission at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business China must present TOEFL/IELTS language proficiency certificates and academic transcripts and diplomas. Students need to obtain a health certificate together with financial proof which demonstrates support between 5-10 Lacs Indian rupees. A student needs approximately 4 to 6 weeks to complete the visa application process while the visa fee remains at INR 1,840. These students should submit their X1 visa (study visa) application through the Chinese embassy or consulate located in India.
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The Gaokao Exam is the National College Entrance Examination of China. It is an annual standardized test that determines university admissions for Chinese students. Consider it similar exam like JEE and NEET in India. Gaokao exam is widely regarded as the world's most challenging entrance exam.