Expanded reforms to China's college entrance exam system, also known as the gaokao, have allowed more test-takers to choose from specific subjects in which they excel, as part of efforts to prioritize early career planning among high school students.
In some parts of the country, including Beijing and east China's Zhejiang Province, the exam lasts for four days, ending on Tuesday.
Zhejiang is one of 29 provincial-level regions that have adopted reforms since 2014. Under the "3+3" model used in the province, students choose any three subjects in addition to Chinese, mathematics, and a foreign language.
"I did fine in all the exams. The physics was relatively easy. Although the chemistry was difficult, I felt that I did okay," said Cheng Weijie, a student from Zhejiang.
"I chose physics, chemistry and technology, because I have participated in competitions related to robots and artificial intelligence since I was a child," said Chen Zeyu, another test-taker.
"I chose politics, history, and technology. I felt that I did it fine during the exam," said student Liu Shiqi.
In other regions, a "3+1+2" model is used, allowing students to choose between physics and history, as well as two additional subjects of their choice. Both models provide students with significantly more choices than under the traditional gaokao, which allows students to choose only between liberal arts and science.
According to experts, the continued expansion of the reforms is essential for building a skilled workforce.
"I think the most important change for the new gaokao is the introduction of personal choice. In the past, the gaokao was a competition entirely based on total scores. With the introduction of choices in recent years, high school education also needs to prioritize career planning, a crucial aspect of education. The purpose of education is not just to raise test scores, but also to help students become talents that the nation and society need," said Lu Yi, deputy director of the Institute of Higher Education under Fudan University in Shanghai.
Established in 1952 and resumed in 1977, the gaokao system is considered one of the most important tools for selecting eligible students to enter college and serve the country's overall development.
More gaokao examinees choose testing subjects under expanded reforms
