Gaokao epitomizes China's 40 years of progress

For almost all Chinese students, the Gaokao is the only gateway to higher education. The exam consists of the compulsory subjects of Chinese, mathematics and a foreign language. It also includes one subject from either the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry and biology, or a social science subject, including history, politics and geography. The total score of the exam is 750 in most localities, and students will apply for colleges based on the marks they obtain. The number of students sitting the test this year is said to have reached an eight-year high.

The re-introduction of the Gaokao brought about profound changes to China. During the decade before 1977, only a few people were enrolled in colleges by means of recommendation. In 1977, to address the shortage of skilled labor, China resumed the Gaokao, to provide equal opportunities for all the students. The students who achieved excellent results got admitted to colleges and thus became the backbones of different professions after graduation. While contributing to the country's modernization, they also experienced a transformation in their own lives.

Initially, majors like mathematics and physics enjoyed great popularity. In the 1980s and 1990s, economics, law, international business and I.T. became more sought-after as the reform and opening-up was pushing forward. Today, among the trendy majors are big data, robotics, minority languages spoken in the countries along the Belt and Road, and midwifery studies, which sprang from the end of the one-child policy. Students' choice of majors is a reflection of China's social development.

Over the past four decades, more than 100 million students have gained access to higher education through the Gaokao. While changing their own lives, they have played an essential role in promoting China's reform and opening-up as well as economic development. The admission rate of the Gaokao has increased from the initial 5 percent to 80 percent today. In particular, the figure for disadvantaged central and western regions has been rising for many years. The Gaokao is an important means to advance both economic development and social justice in China.

We hope all the examinees this year can perform well and realize their dreams.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Gaokao epitomizes China's 40 years of progress
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2018-06/07/content_51766502.htm

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