Drips To ‘Stay Focused' & More: All About Gao Kao, World's Toughest Exam — 10x Harder Than...
Every June, life in China nearly comes to a standstill as millions of students appear for the Gao Kao, the national college entrance exam. Known to be one of the toughest exams in the world, it can shape a student's entire future.
This year, over 13.35 million students appeared for Gao Kao, China's national college entrance exam, slightly fewer than the 13.42 million who took it last year. The scale of Gao Kao is staggering. By comparison, in India last year, around 16.9 lakh students appeared for the CBSE Class 12 exams, and approximately 12.58 lakh took the JEE Mains. This means the number of Gao Kao candidates is nearly ten times higher than those sitting for India's most competitive exams.
What Is Gao Kao?
The Gao Kao is China's national-level entrance test for college admissions. It is compulsory for any final-year high school student aiming to get into a Chinese university. Students have to list their preferred colleges before the exam. If they do not meet a college's required score, they are automatically considered for the next one on their list.
There is no age limit or restriction on how many times one can attempt the exam. The test is spread over two to three days and lasts about nine hours in total.
If a student doesn't qualify for any of the universities they listed, they must appear for the exam again in the following academic year.
What Does The Exam Include?
The paper's structure can differ across provinces, but usually it includes Chinese literature, Mathematics and a foreign language (mostly English). Students from science backgrounds take additional papers in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, while arts students write tests in History, Politics and Geography. Some candidates even opt for other foreign languages like French, German, Japanese, Russian or Spanish.
The test combines multiple-choice and essay-style questions. The scores are combined into one final total. This score determines the student's eligibility for various universities.
How Far Students Go To Prepare For Gao Kao
The pressure surrounding Gao Kao is so intense that students are willing to go to extreme lengths to stay prepared. A recent Instagram video shows how some students are seen spending their entire days and nights inside classrooms. Meals are passed through school gates as they rarely leave the premises.
In many schools, 12-hour study sessions are routine. They just get one day off a week, yet some students use that time to study even more. Some even take IV drips to stay alert, while female students take medication to delay their periods until the exam gets over.
These intense scenes show how serious the exam is and how much students are willing to sacrifice for it.
Some cities impose special traffic rules and halt construction near test sites to maintain silence. Students are offered free metro rides and taxi services to reach centres on time.
At some centres, AI-powered cameras are installed to catch anything unusual and prevent cheating. Drones and other surveillance tools are also used.
Criticism
While Gao Kao is seen as a fair way to select students for university, it has also faced criticism. Many students deal with high levels of stress, anxiety and pressure while preparing for the exam. In many families, the exam decides not just a student's education but also their career and social status.
Students from lower-income backgrounds often struggle more as they may not afford private coaching or extra classes. Some experts also say the exam focuses more on memorising information rather than overall learning or practical skills.
One case that recently caught attention was that of Xiaokai, a student from Hunan province who scored 575 out of 750 in the exam. While this is a good score, his parents were unhappy because it may not qualify him for entry into one of China's prestigious '985" universities, a network of 39 elite institutions known for their academic excellence and competitive admissions. They cut off his financial support and locked him out of the house. Xiaokai later approached local media for help. He is now waiting for his final admission results.
About the Author
Buzz Staff
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
China education viral news
view comments
Location :
Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 10:00 IST
News viral Drips To 'Stay Focused' & More: All About Gao Kao, World's Toughest Exam — 10x Harder Than...
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
MP education dept holds workshop on yagnas, computer learning in consonance with dharma
From teaching how traditional Hindu yagnas (fire rituals) can purify air to drawing civil engineering lessons from the Ramayana, there are many ways to incorporate traditional Indian knowledge in modern education according to a workshop that ended Wednesday in Bhopal and which was organised by MP Government Higher Education Department with support of National Institute of Teachers Training and Research (NITTR). At the training session in Bhopal. (HT PHOTO) For three days, 54 professors and assistant professors from government colleges across Madhya Pradesh assembled at the National Institute of Teachers Training and Research (NITTR) in Bhopal to participate in training sessions by experts from Vijnana Bharti and Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Siksha Sansthan, organisations affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh. The Madhya Pradesh government has made Indian traditional knowledge a mandatory module for first-year undergraduate students across all streams from this academic year as part of the National Education Policy 2020. The topics introduced include Tvasta (double helix of DNA) in biochemistry, Indian fermented food and beverages from the Vedic period in biotechnology, influence of Sanskrit on the English language, data handling, data organisation, and indexing retrieval in the Vedic period, and ethical computer learning according to dharma. In 2024-25 , the state government set up a wing in all 570 government colleges for starting teaching traditional knowledge. The colleges were asked to purchase 88 books which included Swabhasha Lao-Angrezi Hatao (bring local language and remove English), Uccha Shiksha Bharatiya Drushti (Indian perspective in higher education) and Puja Ho Toh Aisi (Prayer should be like this) for students. But there was a problem. Coordinators of the special Indian traditional knowledge cells had no clarity on how to integrate the syllabus about traditional knowledge with the ongoing courses. Step in Vijnanabharati, which describes itself as a 'science movement with swadeshi spirit' on its website. 'We asked Vijnanabharati, Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Siksha Sansthan and other masters of Indian Knowledge system to train the coordinators so that they can become master trainers in their colleges,' said a senior education department official who asked not to be named. Shiv Kumar Sharma, National Secretary of Vijnanabharati, emphasised on the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary education. 'Scientific explanations and thousands of experiment-based evidences are documented in Sanskrit texts and ancient Indian literature. Now, 10,000 such books are being translated into Hindi and English to enlighten both the global audience and our youth,' Sharma added, urging educators to not only teach these concepts but also conduct research to further validate and explore them. In his session, he also told the attendees that students can be taught about the traditional Indian accounting system in commerce, about Vedic algebra in mathematics, and the description of the skies in the vedas in geography. History was easier -- students can be taught the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, he added. Professor PK Purohit, the coordinator of the training programme, asked the attenddees to encourage students to do research on traditional Indian knowledge and linking it with modern education. 'Kautilya's Arthashastra can be linked with contemporary economics . You can teach students on how the chemical composition of materials used in Yajnas has positive impact on environment and how to calculate time through Indian systems,' he added. 'Understanding how politics influenced the economic systems during the Mauryan era and studying taxation in ancient texts like Arthashastra is essential before learning modern taxation,' he said in response to a question. Purohit also urged the attendees to explore the role of Rishis (seers) as early scientists . But he also cknowledged the need for 'more research' and said many supporting texts are now available. 'This initiative aims to reintroduce Indian knowledge systems into the curriculum, which were removed to erase our scientific and artistic heritage. We are not promoting any religion or caste—this is about reclaiming our rich intellectual history,' Purohit explained. State higher education minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the effort is to build an India-centric education system and added that Madhya Pradesh is taking the lead in this. 'From the 2025-26 session, students will benefit from new courses (on Indian Knowledge systems) developed through the dedication of our educators. These efforts will be remembered as a milestone in rebuilding India-centric education.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Lip-Bu Tan education qualifications: How MIT and University of San Francisco shaped the Intel CEO
In August 2025, Lip-Bu Tan, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Intel Corporation, found himself at the centre of political and corporate headlines. US President Donald Trump publicly called for the Intel CEO's immediate resignation, alleging a significant conflict of interest tied to investments in Chinese technology companies. The demand came during a tense moment for the semiconductor industry, with Intel positioned as both a strategic national asset and a symbol of America's race for technological leadership. Yet behind the controversy is a leader whose academic journey reflects decades of intellectual curiosity and a global approach to problem-solving. Tan's rise to the helm of Intel, one of the world's most influential technology companies, is underpinned by an educational path that spans three countries, multiple disciplines and, more recently, distinguished honorary recognition. Building the foundations: Singapore to Massachusetts Tan began his academic journey at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. The choice of physics, with its emphasis on abstract reasoning and precise analysis, provided the young scholar with a structured way of approaching complexity, a skill that would serve him well in both engineering and business leadership. He then moved to the United States to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), completing his Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering in 1981. At MIT, Tan's focus shifted from the theoretical constructs of physics to the applied challenges of large-scale energy systems and advanced engineering design. It was here that he developed the discipline to bridge scientific innovation with practical application, a hallmark of his later work in the semiconductor and venture capital sectors. From engineering to enterprise In the early 1980s, Tan transitioned from engineering to management, enrolling in the Master of Business Administration programme at the University of San Francisco. He graduated in 1983, gaining a deeper understanding of corporate strategy, financial management and the human dimensions of leadership. This period marked the start of his ability to navigate not just the technical side of innovation, but also the competitive, market-driven realities of the technology industry. The combination of a scientific foundation, engineering expertise and business training became the distinctive signature of Tan's career. Over the following decades, he built Walden International into a global venture capital firm, invested in hundreds of technology companies, and took on leadership roles across some of the most critical areas of computing, from semiconductors to AI. His appointment as Intel CEO in 2025 was the culmination of years spent at the intersection of technology innovation and corporate strategy. Honorary recognition: Decades of work acknowledged By 2022, Tan's career had attracted international recognition. That year, the University of San Francisco awarded him an Honorary Doctor's Degree in Humane Letters during its School of Management Professional Bachelors & Graduate Commencement Ceremony, acknowledging his contributions to entrepreneurship and global technology development. In May 2025, Carnegie Mellon University conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Science and Technology, recognising his influence on innovation, industry leadership and his long-standing role as a member of the university's Board of Trustees since 2011. The same month, he received the TiECon Lifetime Achievement Award from TiE Silicon Valley, an acknowledgment of both his professional achievements and his mentorship of future leaders in the tech sector. Education as the enduring constant Amid the current political scrutiny, Tan's educational background remains a defining element of his professional identity. His path from physics in Singapore to engineering at MIT and business at the University of San Francisco reflects a deliberate layering of knowledge, designed to prepare for roles where technical mastery and strategic vision must coexist. In 2025, as debates about leadership integrity intersect with global technology competition, Intel's CEO stands as a figure whose academic and honorary credentials offer insight into the intellectual architecture behind his decision-making. Whether in the boardroom of Intel, the lecture halls of Carnegie Mellon or the strategy sessions of global venture capital, his education continues to be the foundation from which he navigates one of the most complex leadership challenges of the modern technology era. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Admission pause: Brain drain risk for state, anxiety for those who stay back
1 2 Kolkata: The anxious wait for students aspiring to study engineering or general degree courses in Bengal continued as WBJEE results and college merit lists remained mired in legal tangle. Frustrated by the inordinate delay, those who have the means have already moved to other states or taken admission to private colleges. Students who are still waiting to study at engineering institutes in Bengal, like JU or CU, are in a dilemma. "I want to study engineering at JU. But I also have the option of participating in the IIEST counselling process and I will not give it a pass," said engineering aspirant Sparsha Sengupta. Parents are equally worried. Debraj Kundu said his son was disappointed on learning on Thursday that it could take another fortnight for the JEE result to be published. "Though I have paid his admission fee for BITS Pilani, he is keen on studying here and doesn't want to leave. He also appeared for IIEST counselling and may get a mechanical engineering seat," said Kundu. "My son wants to study at JU but he may have to forgo his dream institute. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New 2024 Portable Air Conditioners in Malaysia: No Installation Required – Check Them Out! Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo " You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Archismita Chakraborty has already given BITS Pilani a pass and now, WBJEE is her only option this session. "After WBJEE uploaded the answer key, I calculated my score. I can get admission at JU. But I am too frustrated with this procedure and may not continue even after getting a chance to study there as I can't keep faith in the system in my state. I may drop out this year and prepare for JEE Mains next year," she said. Arshee Ghosh, too, has opted out of other options to stay back in Bengal. "Even after the result is out, it will take at least a month to finish admissions. I did not take the other options as I wanted to stay in Bengal," she added. While these students are waiting for WBJEE result, their friends who moved to other states have started their classes. Engineering professors are also apprehensive about losing quality students amid the delay. A computer science engineering professor, Sankhayan Choudhury, said, "Owing to a delayed start to classes, we will fail to maintain parity with the academic calendar of other institutes. So these students will suffer and face challenges to make up for the loss of time. " The WBJEEB, which held the entrance tests at Presidency University, was supposed to publish lists on Aug 9 but even that date turned uncertain after the court order. The merit list for centralised admission portal was to be published on Thursday though higher education department officials said they would take some more time. An official said, "The process is underway, and it will be published soon. We will take legal opinion before publishing the list." Students said they had to face the consequences. UG candidate Rishabh Banerjee said, "We have been sitting idle for months. It is frustrating when I see some of my batchmates starting classes at private colleges or outside the state. Students are the worst sufferers." (Input from Dipawali Mitra) Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
