Heard in the Hutong: Beijingers on the Gaokao Exam

Wall Street Journal:

Do you think the gaokao is a good and fair way to select students?

Not so fair. For most ordinary families, Gaokao is a fair selection. I have watched some news reports that said people stole identity information to take the Gaokao. There is still vulnerability in this selection system.

Do you think Chinese students face more pressure than students in other countries?

Chinese students face more challenges, especially now it is hard to get a job in China. I just took the Gaokao this year. Chinese students have less happiness compared to students in other countries. Compared to the strict graduation here, it is easier to be enrolled in universities abroad. A lot of Chinese students lost their teenage during high school and are bound by their parents and teachers.

What do you think about the gaokao’s role in deciding a student’s future?

Gaokao is a turning point, but it can’t totally decide one’s life.