2026 Gaokao Begins as 12.9 Million Students Sit for Exam
On June 7, 2026, China’s National College Entrance Examination, known as the Gaokao, officially commenced across the country, with 12.9 million registered candidates heading to exam venues nationwide. The Chinese language exam was administered first, and its essay prompts were released shortly after the exam concluded, immediately sparking widespread discussion on social media platforms.
Context and Background
The Gaokao, first established in 1952 and reinstated in 1977 after the Cultural Revolution, remains one of the most high-stakes academic assessments in the world. It determines students’ access to higher education and, by extension, their future career prospects. This year’s exam marks the second consecutive year of declining candidate numbers, with 12.9 million registered — a decrease of 450,000 from 2025’s 13.35 million, according to China Daily.
The decline reflects China’s broader demographic challenges, including a declining birth rate and shrinking youth population. As Caixin Global noted, the peak was reached in 2024 with approximately 13.42 million candidates.
Key Developments
Essay Topics Released
Five distinct sets of essay prompts were released for different examination regions — National I, National II, Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai — each reflecting contemporary social themes and philosophical questions. The National I Volume asked students to reflect on a word whose meaning has changed for them personally, connecting individual growth to broader societal transformation. The National II Volume used a classical Chinese quotation about resilience: “The sun and moon do not lose their essence, so they shine again after being obscured; the Yangtze and Han rivers do not lose their source, so they flow through even when blocked.”
The Shanghai Volume, carrying the highest point value at 70, posed a timely question about technology’s impact on human imagination, asking students: “Everyone has an imagination of the world. When technology transforms the world, it also transforms our imagination. What are your thoughts and reflections on this?” The Beijing Volume included a micro-writing option on AI-themed promotional writing for elderly homes, reflecting how contemporary technology issues are entering the national conversation, as reported by The Paper.
Security and Support Measures
Authorities have implemented upgraded security measures for the 2026 exam, including “smart security gates” capable of detecting phones, smart glasses, and other prohibited items. AI-powered surveillance systems monitor exam rooms for suspicious behavior, and GPS tracking has been installed on exam paper transport vehicles, notably in Shandong Province. Cross-district teacher rotation systems for invigilation have also been deployed, according to China News Service.
Special accommodations have been arranged for candidates with disabilities, including Braille exam papers for visually impaired students and reasonable accommodations for over 14,000 candidates with disabilities. Local authorities have also implemented noise reduction protocols, public transport priority lanes, and psychological counseling services to support candidates.
Weather Concerns
The Central Meteorological Observatory forecasted heavy rainfall across southern China during the exam period, affecting provinces including Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang. Local authorities have implemented traffic management and emergency response plans to mitigate disruptions.
Analysis and Implications
The 2026 essay topics reflect a notable shift toward more personal, reflective writing that connects individual experience to broader societal themes. The Shanghai Volume’s prompt on technology and imagination is particularly timely given the rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies, while the National I Volume’s focus on “changing understanding of words” encourages students to think critically about language and its relationship to social change.
The decline in candidate numbers — 12.9 million versus 13.35 million in 2025 — carries significant implications for university enrollment, workforce planning, and economic development. As China’s birth rate remains low, this trend is expected to continue, potentially reshaping the higher education landscape in the years ahead.
What’s Next
The main exam days run from June 7 to 8 for most provinces, with some regions extending to June 9 and 10 for additional subjects. The essay topics will continue to generate discussion across Chinese social media, serving as a cultural touchstone that reflects the nation’s evolving values and concerns. Score release dates and university admission timelines for 2026 are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Education in the coming weeks.