Gaokao Reforms Introduce "3+1+2" Model, Impacting Millions of Chinese Students Annually

Liqian Ren recently announced an interview with Professors Ruixue Jia of UC San Diego and Hongbin Li from the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, discussing their new book, "The Highest Exam: How the Gaokao Shapes China." The book, co-authored with Claire Cousineau, offers an in-depth analysis of China's College Entrance Exam, the Gaokao, and its profound influence on the nation. Ren stated in the tweet: > "I had an interview with Prof. Ruixue Jia from UC San Diego and Prof. Hongbin Li, of the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, on their book on China's College Entrance Exam. 'The System That Shapes China' by China of Tomorrow."

Professor Ruixue Jia, an economist specializing in political economy and development at UC San Diego, and Professor Hongbin Li, co-director of the Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions, are leading scholars in Chinese economic and social studies. Their research, combined with personal narratives, explores how the Gaokao has become a pivotal tool shaping China's society and economy, influencing social mobility, educational investment, and career trajectories for millions.

The Gaokao, a high-stakes examination taken by around 10 million students each year, serves as the primary determinant for university admission in China. Historically criticized for promoting rote learning and creating immense pressure, the exam has undergone significant reforms since 2014, aiming for a more holistic assessment and diversified talent cultivation. These reforms, initially piloted in Shanghai and Zhejiang, are progressively rolling out nationwide.

A key reform is the "3+1+2" model, replacing the traditional Arts or Sciences division. This structure mandates Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language, alongside one "preferred subject" (Physics or History) and two "re-selected subjects" from a list including Chemistry, Biology, Politics, and Geography. This change allows students greater autonomy in subject choice and aims to reduce the pressure of a single high-stakes testing period by offering multiple attempts for some subjects.

The reforms seek to cultivate well-rounded individuals and address national demands for scientific and technological talent. However, challenges persist, including a decline in students choosing difficult subjects like Physics and increased workload for teachers adapting to new "shift systems" in high schools. The book by Professors Jia and Li provides crucial context to these ongoing developments, highlighting the Gaokao's complex role in distributing privilege and cultivating loyalty within China's centralized educational system.