2026 Gaokao Essay Topics Released for 12.9 Million Students

On June 7, the Chinese language essay topics for the 2026 National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) were officially released, setting the stage for approximately 12.9 million students across China to demonstrate their analytical and creative writing abilities. The exam, administered across five distinct paper sets, features prompts that weave together classical philosophy, contemporary technology, and personal growth — marking a notable shift toward more abstract, philosophical themes, according to Xinhua News.

A Shift Toward Abstraction

This year’s essay topics depart from previous years’ reliance on short stories and fables, instead engaging students with conceptual challenges. The five paper sets — National Volume I, National Volume II, Beijing Volume, Tianjin Volume, and Shanghai Volume — each present unique thematic angles.

National Volume I asks students to reflect on a word whose meaning has changed for them through personal growth, exploring how language evolves alongside individual experience. National Volume II draws from the Han Dynasty text Fengsu Tongyi, quoting: “The sun and moon, if they do not lose their essence, can shine again after being obscured; rivers, if they do not lose their source, can flow through after being blocked.” Students are prompted to consider perseverance through adversity in personal development, social progress, and civilization itself.

Professor Zhang Yiwu of Peking University’s Chinese Department told China News Service that this year’s essays remain centered on argumentative writing, testing logical thinking and clear expression. “The topics are mainly philosophical, using relatively abstract themes to spark discussion,” Zhang said, noting that unlike previous years, few prompts drew from short stories or fables.

Technology and Tradition Converge

The Beijing Volume uniquely combines micro-writing tasks with a main essay. Students can choose from three micro-writing prompts — designing a community labor activity, crafting promotional copy for an “AI and Happy Old Age” event at a nursing home, or composing a short poem titled “Because of Longing.” The main essay offers two options: an argumentative piece on the relationship between planning and diligent execution, drawing from Yuan Dynasty scholar Cheng Duanli’s Reading Schedule, or a narrative titled “Savoring the Essence,” about appreciating classics, art, or life experiences.

Wang Feng, Director of Peking University’s Institute of Chinese Language Education, observed that both Beijing essay questions closely follow contemporary themes. “The argumentative essay’s material starts from reading plans, inspiring students to think about national and social development,” Wang said, as reported by Guangming Daily. “On one hand, good planning is needed; on the other hand, solid practice is required. The two must be combined.”

The Shanghai Volume directly engages with the impact of technology on human imagination, asking: “Everyone has an imagination of the world. As technology transforms the world, it also transforms our imagination. What are your thoughts?” This prompt implicitly addresses the rise of artificial intelligence and its effect on creativity.

The Multifaceted ‘Tiao’

The Tianjin Volume offers one of the most linguistically inventive prompts, centered on the Chinese character “调” (tiáo/diào), which carries two distinct pronunciations and meanings — to adjust or mix, and to transfer or allocate. Using examples of an artist mixing colors on a palette and China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the prompt explores “going with the flow” and “unconventional creativity.”

Professor Zhang assessed the Tianjin topic as moderately challenging, noting that the final sentence provides clear guidance. “The actual question is about ‘going with the flow’ and ‘unconventional creativity’ — approaching it from this angle makes it quite clear,” he said. “The overall difficulty is not very high.”

Demographic Shift in Focus

This year’s exam takes place against a backdrop of significant demographic change. The 12.9 million registered candidates represent a decline of 450,000 — approximately 3.4% — from 2025’s 13.35 million, accelerating a downward trend that began last year. Hunan Province reported 691,000 registrants, down 41,000 year-over-year, ending a 13-year consecutive increase streak, according to Hunan Daily.

Expert Assessment and Outlook

Professor Zhang characterized this year’s topics as “relatively conventional,” suggesting they provide ample room for students with solid preparation while potentially making it harder for exceptional students to distinguish themselves. Ministry of Education Examination Center experts emphasized that the National Volume II topic closely aligns with real challenges young people face, encouraging students to demonstrate “the depth of independent thinking, breadth of vision, and positive value orientation.”

As China’s most consequential academic examination continues to evolve, the 2026 essay topics reflect a deliberate balance between cultural heritage and contemporary relevance — challenging students to navigate an increasingly complex intellectual landscape while staying rooted in the philosophical traditions that shape Chinese education.