Can you only take gaokao once?

No, you can take the Gaokao more than once, as there's no legal limit, but it's offered only once a year, meaning retaking it requires an extra year of study and prep, which many dedicated individuals do, like Mr. Liang, who took it 27 times for his dream university. Students can retake the entire exam (not just one subject) to improve their scores for better college placement.

Is gaokao only taken once?

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.

What is the highest ever gaokao score?

Most provinces in China set the maximum gaokao score at 750. In 2000, a student named He Biyu achieved the highest-ever gaokao score of 750 at just 14 years old and later studied at Tsinghua University, where the standard score for various majors ranges between 650 and 676.

What happens if you get a low score on the gaokao?

Students are ranked based on their combined GaoKao scores. In a country where getting a degree is required to obtain a good job, the GaoKao is seen as a make-or-break opportunity. Those who achieve poor scores and do not get into their dream school often spend another year studying and sit for the exam again.

Does gaokao determine your future?

Like the imperial examinations that preceded it for over a thousand years, the gaokao functions as a vast centralized tournament: a single score can determine not only a young person's educational trajectory but also their future career, income, and even social standing.

McGill physics professor solves GaoKao physics problems

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the gaokao?

TIL That while hundreds of students get perfect SAT scores each year, no student has EVER gotten a perfect score on China's 9-hour equivalent, the Gaokao, a test taken by close to 10M people each year.

What is the 0.1% rule in China?

China's "0.1% Rule" refers to its late 2025 export control policy, requiring licenses for foreign products containing even 0.1% by value of Chinese-sourced rare earths or related tech, impacting high-tech supply chains (EVs, AI, defense) by shifting control and creating compliance burdens for global manufacturers, effectively giving China leverage over essential components like permanent magnets. This move extends China's influence beyond its borders by applying its regulations extraterritorially to items made elsewhere but using controlled Chinese materials, mirroring the US "Foreign Direct Product Rule" but with Chinese critical minerals at its core. 

Is gaokao harder than Harvard?

Yes, the Gaokao (China's college entrance exam) is widely considered much harder to get into top universities with than Harvard due to its extreme competition (millions taking one test for few elite spots), immense pressure, and single-score, zero-human-intervention system, making it arguably the world's toughest academic hurdle, even if Harvard's holistic admission process is also incredibly selective for the few who get in. 

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World [Updated List 2026]

• List of Top 10 Toughest Examinations in the World.
• 1) Gaokao Exam of China.
• 2) IIT-JEE Advanced Examination of India.
• 3) UPSC Exams of India.
• 4) ICAI CA/CMA Exams of India.
• 5) Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of India.
• 6) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Is it hard to get into China as a US citizen?

It's not inherently "hard," but going to China as an American requires more steps than many countries, mainly needing a visa with paperwork (passport, forms, photos, flight/hotel bookings) and navigating a different digital world (VPN needed for Google, Facebook, etc.), though recent changes aim to simplify the visa process and travel within major cities is generally safe and easy if you're prepared. The main challenges are the pre-trip visa logistics and adapting to local apps/internet restrictions. 

Does Harvard accept gaokao?

Step 4: Send an Official Secondary School Transcript

For example: British A levels, French Baccalaureate, Gaokao Results, International Baccalaureate, etc. Credentials must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Transcripts will be verified.

What does 985 mean in China?

In China, "985" refers to the Project 985, a government initiative launched in May 1998 (hence "98/5") to create world-class universities, making those universities elite and highly prestigious, often considered the top tier in China, similar to the Ivy League, even though the project officially ended in 2016, with its legacy continuing in the current “Double First-Class Initiative”. 

Who is the king of gaokao?

Meet Liang Shi, a 55-year-old millionaire from Chengdu, China, who's known as the “King of Gaokao” — and for good reason.

Is school 7 days a week in China?

No, Chinese schools aren't typically 7 days a week, but they often include Saturday classes, especially in higher grades, and extended hours, making the schedule very demanding, with many students attending 6 or 6.5 days a week, including evening study sessions and extra weekend cram schools for exams. While primary school might be 5 days, junior and senior high students frequently have Saturday classes for core subjects like math and science, with long hours from early morning (around 7 AM) until late evening (5 PM or later), plus significant weekend studying. 

How many days does gaokao take?

This is what you need to know about Gaokao:— Gaokao takes two days and ten hours to complete. This exam is the only basis for admission to Chinese institutions. The total score is 750 with cut off at 600. You mustn't score less than 96 in both Maths and English.

Are "tough" exams truly valuable?

Tough exams serve as critical gateways to prestigious universities and professional opportunities.

Which is more tough, UPSC or Gaokao?

Many agree that the “toughest” label depends on the criteria academic rigor favors the Gaokao, while multi-dimensional skill assessment and prolonged preparation favor the UPSC.

What is the hardest exam in America?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
• Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
• NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Do US colleges accept gaokao?

Some universities, such as the University of Delaware, accept gaokao scores as proof of English proficiency only, and others offer scholarships or direct admission for top scores. The test has been criticized in China for the intense pressure it places on test-takers.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What is the 3-hour rule in China?

China's "3-hour rule" is a strict government regulation from 2021 limiting minors (under 18) to playing online video games for only three hours per week, specifically from 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, enforced through real-name ID verification to combat gaming addiction. While intended to protect youth mental and physical health, reports suggest many minors circumvent the rules using adult accounts, though some studies show reduced playtime, with effectiveness debated due to workarounds like account sharing.
 

Why is Google forbidden in China?

Google has a difficult history in China. The company pulled its search engine out of China in 2010 because of government censorship and what the company said was a cyberattack from Chinese hackers trying to gain access to human rights activists' email accounts.

Is 996 illegal in China?

In August 2021, China's Supreme People's Court made history by ruling the “996” work schedule illegal. The decision came after several high-profile deaths of tech workers. Young people literally working themselves to death.