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Gaokao study guide

China's national college entrance exam. It is organized by province, with deep subject coverage and very competitive admission lines.

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Country
China
Language
Chinese
Subjects
Chinese · Mathematics · Foreign Language · Physics or History · Two elective subjects
Format
Province-specific national entrance exam. Subjects and paper formats vary by province; many provinces use a 3+1+2 subject model.
Duration
Usually two to three days, depending on the province
Scoring
Province-specific total score, often 750 points. Universities set admission lines by province and subject group.
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Practical Gaokao Study Guide

National College Entrance Examination

Examination Structure & Subject Matrix

Core Subjects (3): Chinese (Yuwen, 150 pts: ancient prose, modern literature, classical poetry, and 800-character argumentative essay), Mathematics (150 pts: abstract algebra, conic sections, calculus, and step proofs), and Foreign Language (English, 150 pts: listening, reading, cloze, and writing).

Elective Model (3+1+2): 1 foundational elective (Physics for STEM or History for Humanities, 100 pts raw score) plus 2 electives chosen from Chemistry, Biology, Politics, or Geography (100 pts scaled score each).

Total Score: 750 points determining admission to elite Project 985/211 and Double First-Class universities.

Provincial Simulation & Spaced Repetition (1h30/day)

Mastery of classical Chinese characters (wenyanwen idioms), chemical reaction pathways, and physics derivation templates requires continuous daily reinforcement.

Use spaced repetition (SRS) for terminology and theorem constraints, paired with full-length timed provincial mock papers (Simoni) under strict examination hall discipline.

Conic Geometry Proofs & Score Conversions

Conic Sections Analytical Geometry: Master algebraic transformations for ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas in Question 20/21 of the Math paper, explicitly writing out every derivation step to capture full partial credit.

Chinese Composition (Zuowen): Prepare dialectical essay frameworks combining classical philosophical insight and contemporary geopolitical context within the required 800 characters.

Provincial Tier Lines (Yi ben / Er ben):** Cutoff scores differ dramatically by province. Track provincial ranking percentiles (Yifenyiduan tables) rather than raw points.

02

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key answers for Gaokao test candidates
What is the 3+1+2 New Gaokao model?
The 3+1+2 system consists of 3 compulsory core subjects (Chinese, Mathematics, and Foreign Language; 150 points each), 1 foundational elective (Physics or History; 100 points, raw score), and 2 secondary electives selected from Chemistry, Biology, Politics, or Geography (100 points each, percentile-grade converted), for a maximum total score of 750 points.
How does score scaling work for secondary electives in Gaokao?
While Chinese, Math, Foreign Language, and Physics/History use raw scores, the secondary electives use a standardized percentile rank conversion (grade-scaling) to ensure equal footing regardless of varying paper difficulty across different elective subjects.
Why is partial credit so important in Gaokao Mathematics?
Gaokao Mathematics features extensive subjective proof questions. Scorers grade using step-by-step rubrics. Even if an arithmetic calculation error occurs at the end, explicitly stating theorems, parameter bounds, and derivative conditions secures significant partial points.
What universities require top-tier Gaokao scores?
China's most prestigious universities—including Tsinghua University and Peking University (C9 League), as well as Double First-Class institutions—admit students scoring in the top fraction of a percent within their home province.

Official source

https://www.moe.gov.cn/

Always check the official rules before relying on any study guide, including this one.

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Published material for this exam

Gaokao essentials: original practice

Gaokao comprehensive practice quiz

Complete Plan · Gaokao

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