How many people take gaokao per year?

Over 13 million students take China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) each year, with recent figures showing participation around 13.4 million in 2024 and 13.35 million in 2025, making it one of the world's largest exams, determining university admissions and life paths.

How many students take the gaokao each year?

Each year, more than 10 million Chinese students take the gaokao—the grueling exam that determines university admission.

Has anyone got 100% on the gaokao?

No student has ever achieved a perfect 100% score on China's notoriously difficult Gaokao exam, primarily because it includes complex, subjective essay and proof-based questions across multiple subjects (Chinese, Math, English, Science/Humanities) requiring flawless answers, making a flawless score virtually impossible given the scale of examinees and the grading subjectivity. While students achieve exceptionally high scores (e.g., 680-700+ out of 750), perfection remains elusive, with some sources even noting the game Chinese Parents simulates this near impossibility. 

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. 

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.

Why is China’s gruelling gaokao college entrance exam so tough?

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What is the #1 school in the world?

There isn't one single "top 1 school" as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently lead global university rankings for 2025-2026, with Oxford often #1 in Times Higher Education (THE) and MIT often #1 in QS rankings, alongside strong showings from Harvard, Cambridge, and Stanford. Oxford is top for THE (2026), focusing on research/teaching, while MIT leads QS (2026) for overall reputation, followed by MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge in various top spots across different lists.
 

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
 

Which is the 2nd toughest exam?

2. UPSC Civil Services Exam (India) The UPSC Civil Services Exam is the 2nd most difficult exam in the world, conducted annually to recruit officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other elite services in India.

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.

Has anyone gotten 528 on the MCAT?

Yes, people have achieved a perfect 528 MCAT score, the highest possible score, though it is extremely rare and signifies exceptional performance across all sections (132 in each). Several individuals have shared their experiences and strategies on platforms like Reddit and in interviews, detailing rigorous study plans, extensive practice, and deep content mastery to reach this peak achievement.
 

Do 90% of Chinese own homes?

Yes, reports consistently show that over 90% of households in China own their homes, making it one of the highest rates globally, driven by cultural values, reforms, and urbanization, though it's important to note that while they own the building, the land is state-owned, and younger generations face affordability issues.
 

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”. 

Are "tough" exams truly valuable?

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

Who is the easiest exam in the world?

List of Easiest Exams in the World

• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
• SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Exams.
• Cambridge English: Key (KET)
• SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam.
• IELTS General Training Test.
• Gaokao Mock Test.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What is the least educated country in the world?

Niger. Of the countries on this list, Niger has the lowest average for educational attainment: just 1.4 years (out of an expected 8.3).

What is the most elite school in the world?

Institut Le Rosey (French pronunciation: [ɛ̃stity lə ʁozɛ]), commonly referred to as Le Rosey or simply Rosey, is a private boarding school in Rolle, Switzerland. It was founded in 1880 by Paul-Émile Carnal on the site of the 14th-century Château du Rosey in the town of Rolle in the canton of Vaud.

Did Mark Zuckerberg get a 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

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.

Is 1400 SAT enough for Harvard?

It's extremely difficult, but technically possible, to get into Harvard with a 1400 SAT, though you'd be well below their typical range (usually 1480-1580+), meaning you'd need an exceptionally strong application in other areas (GPA, essays, extracurriculars, leadership, hooks) to compensate, with many experts suggesting scores closer to 1500+ are necessary for competitiveness.