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 the 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
- Gaokao Exam Topper
- Is an Indian Student Eligible for Gaokao Exam?
- Gaokao vs IIT-JEE vs NEET
What is Gaokao Exam?
The Gaokao Exam is pronounced as “Gow-kow”. It is a higher education entrance examination of China. The 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 the exam.
It was first introduced in the year 1952. The Gaokao exam was suspended during the Cultural Revolution in China and later reinstated in the year 1977. The exam syllabus covers subjects like Chinese, Mathematics, English, and Sciences or Humanities. 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
The Gaokao Exam Pattern is well structured around two main academic streams: Science and Humanities. The core subjects of Gaokao Exam include Chinese, Mathematics, and English, with optional subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Politics, and Geography. The exam is conducted over a span of 2 to 3 days, and the duration is 9 hours, which is divided into multiple sessions.
Although the structure may vary slightly by province, the format typically includes a mix of objective and essay-style questions. The Gaokao is conducted in Mandarin Chinese, adding a linguistic challenge for any foreign candidate.
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
The Gaokao exam syllabus includes Mathematics, Chinese, and English as the 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, the Gaokao syllabus is broader. It includes both language and subject-based learning. Indian exams focus mostly on speed and objective problem solving.
On the other hand, the Gaokao includes a mix of objective and long-form answer questions, testing how well students understand and explain concepts. It is not just about memorizing lessons but applying knowledge clearly and logically.
Gaokao Exam Topper
So, you have seen the respect for toppers of IIT JEE and NEET in India. When someone becomes topper, they literally become famous overnight. China has the same thing, but on another level. When someone becomes a Gaokao exam topper, they get major media coverage, scholarships, and admission to China’s best universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University.
In short, if you are a Gaokao exam topper, you basically become a celebrity of the nation. News channels talk about you, people know your name, and top institutions roll out the red carpet.
So yeah, being a topper in the Gaokao is a huge deal, just like it is here, but maybe even more intense.
Is an Indian Student Eligible for Gaokao Exam?
The Gaokao exam eligibility for Indian nationals is highly restrictive. It means only students of China can appear for the exam. The entire test is conducted in Mandarin, which is a significant language barrier.
For most Indian aspirants interested in Chinese universities, a practical alternative is applying directly through international admission channels. In this way, you only need to be proficient in English speaking. Chinese universities accept scores of English Proficiency exams, which removes the need for the Gaokao exam.
Gaokao vs IIT-JEE vs NEET
Here is the point-wise difference between Gaokao exam and IIT JEE/NEET exam:
| Feature | Gaokao | IIT-JEE | NEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Subjects |
|
|
|
| Difficulty Level |
|
Highly analytical and problem-solving oriented |
|
| Exam Language | Mandarin | 13 languages (including English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.) | 13 languages (including English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.) |
| No. of Candidates (2025) | 13.35 million | Over 3 million (JEE-Main) | 2.27 million |
| Exam Format |
|
|
|
That's all about the topic. The Gaokao exam is more than just a test. It shapes the future of millions of Chinese students every year. It is tougher than our own competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET. For Indian students, understanding the Gaokao helps build global academic awareness.
For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
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.
In the year 2025, approximately 13.35 million high school students across China took the Gaokao exam. It is much more than the number of students appear in IIT JEE and NEET 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.