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Gaokao English Vocabulary

169 cards · 🇺🇸 English

Essential English vocabulary for Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination), covering academic and everyday terms for Chinese high school students.

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What is the Gaokao?

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1What is the Gaokao?
The National College Entrance Examination in China, held annually in early June for undergraduate admissions
2When was the first Gaokao held?
August 15-17, 1952
3When was Gaokao officially resumed after the Cultural Revolution?
Late 1977, under Deng Xiaoping
4How many students took the Gaokao in 2024?
13.42 million students
5What was the acceptance rate in 2023?
84.97% (10.97 million accepted out of 12.91 million examinees)
6What are the three mandatory subjects for all Gaokao students?
Chinese Language and Literature, Mathematics, and a foreign language (usually English)
7What foreign languages can students choose besides English?
Russian, Japanese, German, French, or Spanish (about 5% of students as of 2025)
8What are the three natural science subjects students can elect?
Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
9What are the three liberal arts subjects students can elect?
History, Geography, and Political Science
10When does the Gaokao typically take place?
Early June (usually June 7-8, with elective subjects on June 9-10)
11Why was the 2020 Gaokao postponed?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic (moved to July 7-8)
12What was the acceptance rate in 1977 (first year after resumption)?
5.19% (270,000 accepted out of 5.7 million examinees)
13What is the highest acceptance rate achieved?
92.89% in 2021
14What is the total score for the current Gaokao system (3+1+2)?
750 points
15How many points is each mandatory subject worth?
150 points each (Chinese, Mathematics, Foreign Language)
16In the 3+1+2 system, what does the '1' represent?
A choice between Physics or History (100 points)
17In the 3+1+2 system, what does the '2' represent?
Two subjects chosen from Chemistry, Biology, Political Science, and Geography (100 points each)
18What provinces first implemented the 3+1+2 reform in 2019?
Hebei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Chongqing
19What was the old 3+X system?
3 mandatory subjects (Chinese, Math, Foreign Language) plus X (either Social Sciences or Natural Sciences comprehensive)
20What is the Huikao?
Qualifying Examination of the Academic Proficiency for Senior High School Students - a prerequisite for Gaokao
21What percentage of students typically pass the Huikao?
About 97% qualify
22Who is prohibited from taking the Gaokao?
Current university students, those with incomplete Hukou files, and those serving prison sentences or being prosecuted
23What is the age limit for applying to Military Academies?
Cannot be older than 20 years old and must be unmarried
24What is the age limit for applying to Police Academies?
Cannot be older than 22 years old (20 for foreign language majors) and must be unmarried
25What happened during the Cultural Revolution regarding exams?
In 1966, the NMTP was canceled and replaced with a recommendation system for workers, farmers, and soldiers
26Who reinstated university operations in the early 1970s?
Chairman Mao Zedong
27How were students selected during the early 1970s?
Through evaluation by revolutionary committees rather than academic scores
28What movement forced students to work as farmers in the countryside?
The Down to the Countryside Movement
29What does Gaokao literally mean?
Higher Exam (高考)
30What is the full official name of the Gaokao?
普通高等学校招生全国统一考试 (National College Entrance Examination)