Gaokao

Abstract

Broadcast Transcript: The gaokao, or national college entrance exams, are ferociously competitive here in China. Students are under great pressure to study and get a good score because spaces are limited in the top universities and a top university education is a must if you want to get ahead. Questions vary depending on the region but they are not easy. Here's an essay question from this year's exam: "An Englishman dreams of living in Xinjiang in another era. Write a story based on this." Oh. Okay. The exam is timed and students expect to be able to take the full amount allotted. Which is why there was such a huge uproar when the official bell ringer in Hunan province miscalculated and rang the bell 4 minutes and 58 seconds too soon. The unfortunate bell ringer was sentenced to a year in prison for his carelessness though he was given a year's reprieve. This sounds like a topic for one of next year's essay questions. #ceas #hacker #china