The World's Most Difficult Exam

The Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges , commonly abbreviated as Gaokao ('Higher Exam'), is the annual national undergraduate admission exam of China, held in early June. The exam is held by provincial governments under directions from the Ministry of Education and is required for undergraduate admissions to all higher education institutions in the country. The Gaokao is taken by high school seniors at the end of their final year.

The Gaokao lasts approximately nine hours over a period of two or three days, depending on the provincial administrative regions where it is held. All students must take exams in Chinese and mathematics. Candidates may choose one subject from English, French, Japanese, Russian, German, or Spanish for the foreign language portion of the exam, with most students selecting English.

Students must also choose between the Arts track or the Science track. Students who choose the Arts track receive additional tests in History, Political Science, and Geography, while those who choose the Science track receive tests in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The overall score received by the student is a weighted sum of the grades in his or her subjects. The maximum possible score varies from year to year and from province to province, but is usually 750.

The exam is usually held from June 7 to 8 each year, although in some provinces it may last one day longer. The Gaokao has been delayed on rare occasions, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

· Why is the Gaokao exam so difficult?

Immense Competition: With a vast population, China faces the colossal task of administering exams for all of its students, making the competition intense. Long Duration: The exam spans over nine grueling hours and tests students' knowledge, problem-solving skills, and endurance.

Getting the top score often grants the student national recognition and a “free ride” to the Chinese university of their choice. At the time of writing, no one has ever earned a perfect score.