Record Number Sit College Entrance Exam Amid Vocational Education Drive
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A record 13.4 million students in China are expected to take this year’s national higher education entrance exam, which kicked off Friday, as the government strengthens its push for vocational education while implementing exam reforms in more regions.
The number of people registered to take the exam, known as the “gaokao,” grew by around 4% from the 12.9 million students who sat the test last year, according to data from the Ministry of Education (MOE). The figure is comprised of not only regular high school graduates but also a growing number of vocational school students seeking higher education.
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- A record 13.4 million students in China are taking the gaokao this year, a 4% increase from last year's 12.9 million.
- China is undergoing higher education reforms, focusing on vocational education, with vocational undergraduate enrollment rising 17.8% in 2023.
- Seven additional provinces adopted the "new gaokao" format this year, aiming for a more flexible exam system; full nationwide adoption is expected by 2025.
- 1998：
- Gaokao's acceptance rate was 33.86%.
- 2014：
- Reform of the 'new gaokao' format was launched, allowing students up to 12 combinations of subjects for the exam.
- 2018：
- Gaokao's acceptance rate rose to 81.13%.
- 2023：
- The enrollment at vocational undergraduate programs increased by 17.8% year-on-year.
- Friday：
- The national higher education entrance exam in China kicked off with a record 13.4 million students expected to take it.
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