Latest news with #NationalCollegeEntranceExamination
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Viral: Netizens are shocked over China's 'genius' way of preventing cheating in the famous Gaokao exams
Image credits: X/@SuperDuperCycle A driver's license test or a university examination, every kind of examination makes one anxious about their performance because of all the hard work and determination that they have dedicated towards it. While your own talent makes you able to clear the hurdles and reach the target, sometimes you might need an extra push. Mostly at this time, students turn to cheating. While it was through asking each other, now it's by asking AI. And it seems the Chinese government knew it well when it froze all AI tools during the world-famous gaokao exams. What are the Gaokao exams? Image credits: Getty Images Also known as the National College Entrance Examination, the Gaokao is China's extremely competitive standardized college entrance examination. Students study for this exam for years as it determines whether they will be able to attend the university and if yes, then which. Gaokao, which means high test in Chinese is held in June each year where students spend 10 hours taking the exam. It includes six subjects such as Mathematics, Chinese, a foreign language and three other subjects based on the student's educational and career goals. In 2025, around 13 million students appeared in the gaokao. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo But with such high competition and low acceptance rates, students might turn to cheating their way through the exam. Chinese government's 'genius' way of preventing cheating According to reports, the Chinese government adopted one of the most extreme anti-cheating methods this year. While facial recognition technology, metal detectors, drones and phone signal blockers were regularly being used in the schools, an even bigger step was taken by the government. When the students sat down to take the gaokao, some of the major AI platforms of the country froze some specific functions during the test hours. Meaning, that if the students tried to upload pictures of an exam question, they would receive a notification that the feature was not available at the moment. This included AI giants such as Tencent and DeepSeek, with the former explicitly stating the integrity of the exams as the reason for the unavailability of the features. Social media reactions Image credits: Getty Images Netizens have been positively and negatively amazed by the Chinese government's anti-cheating methods. "This is needed. I am doing master's in Europe, %60 of my classmates cheat continuously.' wrote an X user appreciating the step. Another suggested a much easier and less expensive alternative, writing, 'Or just take their phones?' 'A bold but necessary step. When 13 million students are fighting limited spots, even the smallest tech loophole could disrupt fairness. Respect to China for treating academic integrity seriously.' wrote a person on Instagram. 'Maybe China want their people to think? Unthinkable.🧠' commented another.
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Millions sit China's high-stakes university entrance exam
Students queue to enter a school during China's National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), known as ''gaokao,'' outside a high school in Beijing on June 7, 2025. (Photo by Adek Berry/AFP) BEIJING, China - Hopeful parents accompanied their teenage children to the gates of a busy Beijing test center on Saturday, among millions of high school students across China sitting their first day of the highly competitive university entrance exam. Nationwide, 13.35 million students have registered for the multi-subject "gaokao" series this year, according to the Ministry of Education, down from last year's record-high 13.42 million test takers. Outside the central Beijing secondary school, a proud parent who gave her name as Chen said "12 years of hard work have finally led to this moment" -- as she waved a fan in front of her daughter while the student reviewed her notes one last time before the test. "We know our kids have endured so much hardship," Chen told AFP, adding that she was not nervous. "I'm actually quite excited. I think my child is excellent, and I'm sure she will get the best score," she said. China's gaokao requires students to use all their knowledge acquired to this point, testing them on subjects including Chinese, English, mathematics, science and humanities. The exam results are critical for gaining admission to university -- and determining whether they will attend a prestigious or more modest institution. While teachers and staff offered students their support, holding up signs of encouragement, some test takers, dressed in school uniforms, appeared panicked, including a girl with tears in her eyes. "There's no need for us parents to add pressure. The children are already under a lot of it," said a woman named Wang, whose son had just entered the exam hall. Like many mothers, she wore a traditional Chinese qipao in hopes of bringing good luck. "I hope my son achieves immediate success and gets his name on the (list of high-scoring candidates)," Wang said with a smile. Higher education has expanded rapidly in China in recent decades as an economic boom pushed up living standards -- as well as parents' expectations for their children's careers. But the job market for young graduates remains daunting. As of April, 15.8 percent of people aged 16 to 24 living in urban areas were unemployed, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Due to this pressure, many Chinese students prepare for the gaokao from a young age, often with extra lessons after the regular school day. 'Safe gaokao' And every year education authorities are on guard against cheating and disruptions during the exam. This week, China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for a "safe gaokao", stressing the importance of a rigorous campaign against cheating. Areas around exam centers are closely guarded by police, with road lanes closed to traffic and several cities banning motorists from honking their horns so as not to disrupt the concentration of students. In some schools, facial recognition is even used to prevent fraud. While the university admission rate for gaokao test takers has exceeded 80-90 percent in recent years, many students disappointed with their results choose to repeat the exam. As there is no age limit for the test, some have become notorious for attempting the exam dozens of times, either after failing it or not getting into their top-choice university. One teacher at the Beijing school where parents saw off their children on Saturday estimated that only about 10 of the approximately 600 final-year students there would earn a place at one of the capital's top universities. Jiang, a final-year high school student who only gave one name, said he dreamt of attending a Beijing university, and was remaining calm shortly before his Chinese exam. "Even though the pressure is intense, it's actually quite fair," he told AFP. "I feel like all the preparations that needed to be made have been made, so there's really no point in being nervous now, right? "Whatever happens, happens. It's truly not something I can completely control." —Agence France-Presse
The Star
07-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Millions sit China's high-stakes university entrance exam
School staff welcome students as they enter a school during China's National College Entrance Examination, known as gaokao, outside a high school in Beijing on June 7, 2025. - AFP BEIJING: Hopeful parents accompanied their teenage children to the gates of a busy Beijing test centre on Saturday (June 7), among millions of high school students across China sitting their first day of the highly competitive university entrance exam. Nationwide, 13.35 million students have registered for the multi-subject "gaokao" series this year, according to the Ministry of Education, down from last year's record-high 13.42 million test takers. Outside the central Beijing secondary school, a proud parent who gave her name as Chen said "12 years of hard work have finally led to this moment" - as she waved a fan in front of her daughter while the student reviewed her notes one last time before the test. "We know our kids have endured so much hardship," Chen told AFP, adding that she was not nervous. "I'm actually quite excited. I think my child is excellent, and I'm sure she will get the best score," she said. China's gaokao requires students to use all their knowledge acquired to this point, testing them on subjects including Chinese, English, mathematics, science and humanities. The exam results are critical for gaining admission to university - and determining whether they will attend a prestigious or more modest institution. While teachers and staff offered students their support, holding up signs of encouragement, some test takers, dressed in school uniforms, appeared panicked, including a girl with tears in her eyes. "There's no need for us parents to add pressure. The children are already under a lot of it," said a woman named Wang, whose son had just entered the exam hall. Like many mothers, she wore a traditional Chinese qipao in hopes of bringing good luck. "I hope my son achieves immediate success and gets his name on the (list of high-scoring candidates)," Wang said with a smile. Higher education has expanded rapidly in China in recent decades as an economic boom pushed up living standards - as well as parents' expectations for their children's careers. But the job market for young graduates remains daunting. As of April, 15.8 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 living in urban areas were unemployed, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Due to this pressure, many Chinese students prepare for the gaokao from a young age, often with extra lessons after the regular school day. And every year education authorities are on guard against cheating and disruptions during the exam. This week, China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for a "safe gaokao", stressing the importance of a rigorous campaign against cheating. Areas around exam centres are closely guarded by police, with road lanes closed to traffic and several cities banning motorists from honking their horns so as not to disrupt the concentration of students. In some schools, facial recognition is even used to prevent fraud. While the university admission rate for gaokao test takers has exceeded 80-90 per cent in recent years, many students disappointed with their results choose to repeat the exam. As there is no age limit for the test, some have become notorious for attempting the exam dozens of times, either after failing it or not getting into their top-choice university. One teacher at the Beijing school where parents saw off their children on Saturday estimated that only about ten of the approximately 600 final-year students there would earn a place at one of the capital's top universities. Jiang, a final-year high school student who only gave one name, said he dreamt of attending a Beijing university, and was remaining calm shortly before his Chinese exam. "Even though the pressure is intense, it's actually quite fair," he told AFP. "I feel like all the preparations that needed to be made have been made, so there's really no point in being nervous now, right? "Whatever happens, happens. It's truly not something I can completely control." - AFP
Straits Times
07-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Millions sit China's high-stakes university entrance exam
Students queue to enter a school during China's National College Entrance Examination outside a high school in Beijing on June 7. PHOTO: AFP BEIJING - Hopeful parents accompanied their teenage children to the gates of a busy Beijing test centre on June 7, among millions of high school students across China sitting their first day of the highly competitive university entrance exam. Nationwide, 13.35 million students have registered for the multi-subject 'gaokao' series in 2025, according to the Ministry of Education, down from 2024's record-high 13.42 million test takers. Outside the central Beijing secondary school, a proud parent who gave her name as Chen said '12 years of hard work have finally led to this moment' – as she waved a fan in front of her daughter while the student reviewed her notes one last time before the test. 'We know our kids have endured so much hardship,' Ms Chen told AFP, adding that she was not nervous. 'I'm actually quite excited. I think my child is excellent, and I'm sure she will get the best score,' she said. China's gaokao requires students to use all their knowledge acquired to this point, testing them on subjects including Chinese, English, mathematics, science and humanities. The exam results are critical for gaining admission to university – and determining whether they will attend a prestigious or more modest institution. While teachers and staff offered students their support, holding up signs of encouragement, some test takers, dressed in school uniforms, appeared panicked, including a girl with tears in her eyes. 'There's no need for us parents to add pressure. The children are already under a lot of it,' said a woman named Ms Wang, whose son had just entered the exam hall. Like many mothers, she wore a traditional Chinese qipao in hopes of bringing good luck. 'I hope my son achieves immediate success and gets his name on the (list of high-scoring candidates),' Ms Wang said with a smile. Higher education has expanded rapidly in China in recent decades as an economic boom pushed up living standards – as well as parents' expectations for their children's careers. But the job market for young graduates remains daunting. As of April, 15.8 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 living in urban areas were unemployed, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Due to this pressure, many Chinese students prepare for the gaokao from a young age, often with extra lessons after the regular school day. 'Safe gaokao' And every year, education authorities are on guard against cheating and disruptions during the exam. This week, China's Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang called for a 'safe gaokao', stressing the importance of a rigorous campaign against cheating. Areas around exam centres are closely guarded by police, with road lanes closed to traffic and several cities banning motorists from honking their horns so as not to disrupt the concentration of students. In some schools, facial recognition is even used to prevent fraud. While the university admission rate for gaokao test takers has exceeded 80-90 per cent in recent years, many students disappointed with their results choose to repeat the exam. As there is no age limit for the test, some have become notorious for attempting the exam dozens of times, either after failing it or not getting into their top-choice university. One teacher at the Beijing school where parents saw off their children on June 7 estimated that only about 10 of the approximately 600 final-year students there would earn a place at one of the capital's top universities. Mr Jiang, a final-year high school student who only gave one name, said he dreamt of attending a Beijing university, and was remaining calm shortly before his Chinese exam. 'Even though the pressure is intense, it's actually quite fair,' he told AFP. 'I feel like all the preparations that needed to be made have been made, so there's really no point in being nervous now, right? 'Whatever happens, happens. It's truly not something I can completely control.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
China rolls out major reforms ahead of gaokao, its national college entrance exam
High school students prepare for the National College Entrance Examination, known as gaokao, in Fuyang, Anhui, on May 27. PHOTO: AFP China's national college entrance exam, known as gaokao, will take place from June 7 to 10 and feature several new developments, including the roll-out of exam reforms in eight additional provinces, expanded university enrolment and the launch of new academic majors. In 2025, eight more provincial-level regions will implement the gaokao reforms: Sichuan, Henan, Shanxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Qinghai and the Ningxia Hui and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions. So far, 29 provinces have adopted the reforms. Under the reforms, candidates must take three nationally standardised subjects – Chinese, mathematics and a foreign language – along with one primary elective subject, either physics or history, and two additional electives selected from chemistry, geography, political science and biology. Professor Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the reforms, launched in 2014, have provided students with greater flexibility in subject selection and aim to place more emphasis on students' individuality and personal interests while establishing a more comprehensive and multi-dimensional evaluation system. 'However, the issue of solely relying on test scores persists. It is necessary to strengthen the reform of comprehensive quality evaluation,' Prof Xiong said. Many universities have expanded enrolment plans in 2025, including Tsinghua University, Peking University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The additional spots, ranging from dozens to several hundred, are primarily concentrated in fundamental disciplines such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, as well as in strategic and cutting-edge fields. Xi'an Jiaotong University in Shaanxi province has been expanding its enrolment over the past decade and plans to add 200 more spots in 2025, according to Professor Cao Liangzhi, director of the university's admissions office. 'The focus is primarily on emerging technology industries and fields geared towards the future,' Prof Cao said. 'In response to technological and industrial transformation and upgrading, we aim to cultivate more high-quality talent.' In 2025, China's college admissions introduced 29 new undergraduate majors across fields such as artificial intelligence, carbon neutrality and digital governance. According to the Ministry of Education, these new programmes are designed to align with national strategic priorities, market demands and technological advancements. Beijing Jiaotong University has added five undergraduate majors in fields of national strategic demand, including data science and big data technology, robotics engineering, intelligent manufacturing engineering, intelligent vehicle engineering, and international journalism and communication. The Beijing Institute of Technology has introduced a low-altitude technology and engineering major, focusing on cultivating top-tier talent to meet the strategic needs of low-altitude economic development. Universities are adjusting their programmes to align with social development and meet societal needs, according to Prof Xiong. Around 13.35 million students have registered for 2025's gaokao, a decrease of 70,000 compared with 2024 and marking the first decline in a decade, according to data released by the ministry. The decline in exam candidates is primarily due to a decrease in vocational college entrance exam participants, who are no longer required to take the gaokao, Prof Xiong explained. However, the number of candidates for the regular gaokao has increased, he said. 'It is hoped that universities will expand enrolment based on their unique conditions and strengths, focusing not only on increasing numbers but also on improving quality,' Prof Xiong said. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
