What Is Gaokao? The High-Stakes Exam That Puts China On Pause

Last Updated:June 13, 2026, 17:02 IST

According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, this year, around 12.9 million candidates across China registered for the Gaokao

Factories halted operations. Roads were vacated. And the entire nation came out to cheer its students as they sat for China’s National College Entrance Examination, known as the Gaokao, which is considered one of the most difficult academic exams globally.

Every year, millions of students in China sit for the Gaokao exam, which is typically held in June. These national university entrance examinations are conducted to test high school passouts in Chinese, mathematics, English, and either science or humanities.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, this year, around 12.9 million candidates across China registered for the Gaokao.

During the exam, parents queue up outside test centres to cheer up for their children appearing in the undergraduate admission test. Donning qipao dresses — symbolising ‘victory from the start’ — parents encourage their children, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. 

How Gaokao Is Conducted

Becky — a content creator who identifies herself as an education consultant — shared a video on Instagram, detailing on how exactly Gaokao exams are conducted in China.

1. How Test Papers Are Prepared

Sharing a video message on her official handle, Becky said: “In China, Gaokao test papers are as top secret as nuclear weapons. The question writers — they enter a closed facility, no contact with the outside world. All electronic confiscated. Even trash can’t leave the premise. There 24/7 camera everywhere. Basically, they lose their freedom for a month. To ensure fairness, the education department choose teachers who children and relatives do not take Gaokao that year, nor they teach Gaokao students."

Becky highlighted that the printing of question papers is done either in a a secret ministry approved facility or inside a prison that’s qualified by the States Secrets Bureau and the Ministry of Education.

“Prisons are already highly secured and only well-behaved inmates who pass background checks and confidentiality training can work on the printing. The facility goes into full lockdown. Infrared sensors, motion detectors, vibration alarms run 24/7", she noted.

      2. How Transportation Is Done

Sharing details on transportation, the content creator said the papers are carried in sealed China Post trucks. “Why China Post? Because it’s 100 per cent state-owned, backed by the Chinese government. During transit, police cars lead the way, with armed special forces following behind. Each truck has GPS with satellite real-time tracking and video monitors covering every angle."

“If the truck deviates from its route or speed, an alarm will be triggered", she added.

      3. How Papers Are Stored

Then, the Gaokao papers are moved into special vaults, with armed police guarding the facility around the clock, said Becky.

Are Gaokao Exams Leak-Proof?

Reports have indicated Beijing has repeatedly dealt with cheating attempts and leak allegations. Given China’s tight control over media ecosystem, incidents related to exam irregularities are often kept under wraps.

In 2022, image of Gaokao math papers were circulated on social media, leading to speculations of irregularities and leak during the exam. However, China’s Ministry of Education clarified that the incident pertained to students attempting to cheat during the test and that it was not an actual paper leak.

How Tough Is Gaokao?

The Gaokao isn’t merely an exam — rather, it’s a national event where entire nation comes together to ensure its smooth conduct.

But what is the success rate? The numbers tell a clear story.

According to an official data, over 12 million students appear for Gaokao each year, eyeing top universities. The most renowned institutions, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, accept barely 0.1 per cent of candidates.

However, the Gaokao isn’t a pass or fail test —  it rather acts as a placement test

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