China records 12.9 million registrations for 2026 gaokao

Students take  national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, at an examination center in China. More than 12.9 million candidates have registered for the exam this year/ File: WSJ

The figure marks a slight decrease from last year’s 13.35 million candidates. The annual examination is scheduled to take place from June 7 to June 9 in most provincial-level regions, while some areas will extend the testing period to three or four days.

To ensure the exam is conducted safely and smoothly, the Ministry of Education, together with other government agencies, has implemented comprehensive measures covering all stages of the examination process.

Authorities have strengthened security procedures related to exam paper transportation, storage, administration, listening tests, grading, and marking. Safety inspections have also been carried out at key facilities and examination centers. Emergency response plans have been enhanced to address potential challenges, including geological disasters and extreme weather conditions.

To protect the integrity of the exam, officials have launched campaigns targeting cheating and other violations. Measures include cracking down on the sale of cheating devices, preventing impersonation, and regulating irregular training institutions. Advanced monitoring systems, including intelligent security screening technology, have been introduced to detect high-tech cheating methods involving mobile phones, smart glasses, and other electronic devices.

The ministry also emphasized that publicity promoting top scorers, exceptionally high scores, or admission rates is prohibited. Authorities are additionally working to eliminate the practice of distributing overly luxurious admission packages in order to standardize enrollment procedures. Local governments have been instructed to provide timely information through television broadcasts, official websites, social media platforms, and livestreams. These channels will be used to explain policies, answer questions, and offer guidance to candidates and their families.

Special arrangements have been made for students with disabilities. Braille examination papers will be provided for visually impaired candidates, while more than 14,000 candidates with disabilities will receive appropriate accommodations. In addition, support services related to transportation, accommodation, food safety, noise control, and psychological counseling have been put in place to assist students during the examination period.

The gaokao remains one of China’s most important academic examinations, serving as the primary gateway to higher education for millions of students each year.