Over 1.33 crore students take China's Gaokao, 10 times more than India's biggest exams

Representative Image

On Saturday, China came to a standstill as anxious parents gathered outside exam centres while 1.33 crore students appeared for the Gaokao, the country's biggest competitive national college entrance test. The scale of the exam is staggering—over 10 times the number of candidates appearing in India's largest competitive exams like JEE Main and NEET, which see around 12-15 lakh applicants each.

The National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao) is the sole determinant for admission into Chinese universities, making it one of the most high-pressure exams in the world. This year's 1.33 crore test-takers mark a slight dip from last year's 1.34 crore, but the competition remains fierce.

To prevent cheating and maintain exam integrity, authorities deployed drones, AI-powered surveillance systems, and strict anti-fraud measures. Some test centres used real-time monitoring to flag suspicious behaviour, leaving no room for malpractice.

Cities also rolled out special traffic controls near exam venues to ensure smooth commutes for students. Many local governments offered free transport services to help candidates reach their centres on time.

State media Xinhua hailed the exam as a system that "reinforces the belief that hard work and determination can shape a successful future." With China’s higher education enrolment rate crossing 60% in 2023 (over 4.7 crore students in colleges), the Gaokao remains the biggest gateway to academic success.

Despite the Gaokao’s role in opening doors, China faces a tough job market. Each year, over 1.2 crore graduates enter the workforce, but economic slowdowns have led to shrinking opportunities, making the competition even fiercer.