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OPTIONAL INITIATIVE

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Assessing the Chinese Exam IN THE CONTEXT OF THE TEST-OPTIONAL TREND IN INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS

BY DAVID WEEKS, HAO ZHOU, JACOB NEWTON-TANZER, AND YANG LIU

A White Paper by Sunrise International Education 1 2

China’s National Entrance seeking to recruitment qualified Chinese Section 1. Examination, often known as the applicants target the right gaokao-track gaokao is the largest college entrance students? BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT exam in the world. For international This white paper will aim to provide education, the gaokao poses historical and cultural background, — a number of difficult questions. Is the assessment process and structure, gaokao a useful metric of assessment students hailing from Tier 2 and Tier 3 scoring standards, comparisons with " for Chinese candidates applying for A.HOW DOES THE GAOKAO FIT Chinese cities. international examinations, and finally overseas universities? Is it a good INTO INTERNATIONAL HIGHER strategies and channels to find the right predictor of academic preparedness? ED TRENDS? Chinese students have better access gaokao and test optional students. We Is its English component a useful Since 2010, China has been the to international high schools than include a comprehensive comparison of metric for English proficiency? Does world’s largest sender of outbound ever before; the total enrollment at scoring rubrics in the appendix section. it have a place in a holistic admissions international students. The Chinese all international pre-tertiary schools assessment? How can universities international recruitment landscape in China is about 484,300. Assuming has transformed in recent years. an even distribution of students, Until the mid-1990’s, most Chinese about 40,000 high school students international students went abroad graduate from Chinese international on a scholarship, and the lion’s share schools each year. Many savvy overseas studied abroad for PhD-level work. This universities have focused their trend began to shift due to the reform undergraduate recruitment efforts of China’s centrally planned economy: on these international schools, with a the ranks of China’s middle class grew growing emphasis on tier 2 and 3 cities. thereby making more Chinese families While students at these schools are able to afford international masters- doubtlessly valuable “target markets” level education. Students began to use for many universities, it’s important educational agencies to demystify the to remember that only about 3% of process of applying to a school and high school students in China choose 2 getting a visa. Fast forwarding to today, an international curriculum track. China sends about the same number of The receives half of all undergraduate and graduate students 2. May, Tiffany. “For Survivors of a 9-Hour Chinese Exam, a Door to many countries, with more and more Opens to America.” The Times. June 13, 2018. https:// 1. David Weeks, Ryder Gottlieb, Jolin Zhu, and Cody Zhou. Sunrise White Paper, Trends in Chinese International Education: What to Expect in 2019. www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/world/asia/china-gaokao-new- https://sieconnection.com/insight/2018/1/8/3-trends-in-china-that-will-define-international-recruitment-in-2018-1 hampshire.html 3 4

Chinese outbound students (304,000 The sheer scale of the gaokao is of 600,000)3; undergraduates comprise staggering. Each year, students around " of 41% (124,000) of these students the world take the SAT exam 2.14 million B. WHERE IS THE GAOKAO ACCEPTED FOR equating to just over 30,000 new times, and 163,1735 students take an IB CONSIDERATION FOR ADMISSION? freshmen each year. Outside the US, exam each year. In China, over 9 million Around the world, universities have adopter of the gaokao was Australia, 6 freshmen undergraduate students students take the gaokao each year. Of made steps to implement the gaokao which commissioned a report in 2009 make up another 35,000-40,000 course, this isn’t to say that there are 9 into their admissions processes, to analyze gaokao acceptance for direct students, meaning that 25,000-30,000 million students ready to study abroad. though some universities and regions undergraduate enrollment. About 30 Chinese students from traditional The lion’s share of these students are are far ahead in accommodating the of Australia’s 43 universities accept the gaokao-track high schools are enrolling aiming to enroll in a well-regarded needs of gaokao track students. The gaokao,14 and 7 of Australia’s prestigious abroad each year. For universities Chinese university, where tuition total number of gaokao-accepting “Group of 8” universities accept the seeking to reach these students, it is fees are low but admission is brutally universities reportedly exceeds 1,000 worthwhile to better understand the competitive. Admission rates for top- universities in 20 countries and regions,

Chinese gaokao exam. tier universities like Peking University including all universities in France, Hong 7. Zhang Haizhou. “Italy, France accept gaokao scores.” China and are as low as 7 State Council, 2015, ,http://english.gov.cn/news/top_ Kong and Macau, all public universities news/2015/06/26/content_281475134729615.htm 0.034%. While some gaokao students in Singapore, 206 universities in Italy, 8. Zhang Haizhou. “Italy, France accept gaokao scores.” China State Council, 2015, ,http://english.gov.cn/news/top_ sit for the gaokao as a most of Germany’s 380 recognized news/2015/06/26/content_281475134729615.htm 9. The Economist. “Some Western universities see merit in formality and plan to study universities, and most universities in China’s flawed exam.” 2018, https://www.economist.com/ abroad early on, others 8 china/2018/06/28/some-western-universities-see-merit-in- Spain. About 30 Canadian universities chinas-flawed-exam look for options abroad accept the gaokao, including McGill and 10. Lincoln University. “Bachelor Degree Admission Requirements.” http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/Study/Undergraduate/Entry- 9 after they’ve received their the University of Toronto. New Zealand Requirements/Bachelor-Degree-Admission-Requirements/, scores if they do not University of Waikato. ‘Entry requirements for undergraduate gaokao universities tend to accept gaokao international students.” 2019. https://squiz-matrix. meet the minimum score its.waikato.ac.nz/study/enrolment/undergraduate- scores, although some require a year of international#International%20Entry%20Requirements for their preferred Chinese tertiary study in China or a foundation 11. UCAS. “China: GaoKao Qualifications.” 2018, https://qips.ucas. com/qip/china-gaokao 10 university. program first. British universities tend 12. Zoe Lewis. “University of Birmingham opens door to students with top grades in Chinese gaokao entrance exam.” South China not to accept the gaokao without a Morning Post, 2018, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/ foundation year or other qualifications, society/article/2169006/university-birmingham-opens-door- students-top-grades-chinese 11 3. China MOE, “Brief report on Chinese overseas students and international students in China 2017.” 4/1/2018. http://en.moe.gov.cn/documents/ with notable exceptions such as the 13. “The Gaokao is regarded as suitable preparation for Cambridge.” University of Cambridge, https://www.undergraduate.study.cam. reports/201901/t20190115_367019.html 12 4. Report, https://reports.collegeboard.org/sat-suite-program-results/class-2018-results University of Birmingham and the ac.uk/china 14. Chen Ximing. A growing number of foreign universities are 5. The IB Diploma Programme Statistical Bulletin, May 2018 Examination Session. May 2018 https://www.ibo.org/contentassets/bc850970f4e54b87 University of Cambridge.13 The earliest 828f83c7976a4db6/dp-statistical-bulletin-may-2018-en.pdf starting to accept gaokao scores for admission. Global Times, 6. China Daily, “9.4m students sit China's .” 7/6/2017. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-06/07/content_29655490. 2016, http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/990567.shtml htm 5 6

gaokao for direct undergraduate years to the Sui dynasty. While, the of total recruitment may come from centers, traffic is diverted, construction enrollment.15 gaokao is the best known of China’s recruitment plans outside of the work suspended, and even flights can high-stakes exams, most 13-14 years gaokao). Diverging from international be rerouted to avoid disrupting test- Universities in the United States have olds in China sit for the zhongkao ( 中 counterparts, a gaokao score is the takers. In 2008, authorities even been slower to adapt to and understand 考 ) which governs admission to China’s only metric used to assess an applicant, rerouted the path of the Olympic torch the gaokao, with some exceptions like public high schools. High school seniors meaning that grades, extracurriculars, to steer clear of testing centers.18 private universities: , sit for a separate graduation test called character assessments, and interviews the University of San Francisco, St. The administration of the gaokao is the huikao ( 会考). And the guokao do not enter into the admissions Thomas University, Suffolk University, highly secure. Testing centers have ( 国考), a cousin of the ancient civil process for most domestic candidates Institute of Technology and police officers dispatches and an service exam, essentially decides who for Chinese universities. In more than Adelphi University, as well as some advanced surveillance apparatus in will be offered an interview for 27,000 95% of circumstances, if a candidate public universities: University of New place. Some use metal government jobs among almost a has graduated from high school, Hampshire, the University of North detectors, radio signal detectors, cellular million candidates each year.17 applies to the university, and meets Texas, and Louisiana State University, signal jammers, facial recognition the university’s minimum cutoff score which are either currently accepting or The gaokao is the primary gateway technology, and even drones to identify then they will be admitted. Because preparing to accept the gaokao as part for domestic Chinese college cheating.19 Penalties for cheating can the gaokao is so decisive and difficult, of a holistic admissions process.16 admissions: more than 95% of Chinese include a 7 year prison sentence. In most students dedicate themselves university freshmen were admitted Beijing, SWAT teams guard the gaokao completely to preparing for the exam through the gaokao (The Ministry of tests on GPS-tracked trucks on the way for a year or more. " Education mandates that only 5% to testing centers.20 C. HOW DOES THE GAOKAO FIT INTO CHINA’S DOMESTIC While all provinces administer the exam UNIVERSITY SYSTEM? at the same time, the content of the 15. The Economist. “Some Western universities see merit in High-stakes exit exams have a long China’s flawed exam.” 2018, https://www.economist.com/ " china/2018/06/28/some-western-universities-see-merit-in- D. HOW IS THE TEST in China — harkening back chinas-flawed-exam ADMINISTERED ACROSS CHINA? to a long-held idea that standardized 16. The Economist. “Some Western universities see merit in 18. Gregory Kristof. “China GaoKao Reflects Importance And China’s flawed exam.” 2018, https://www.economist.com/ The gaokao occurs only once a year, Extremes Of Nation’s College Entrance Exam.” Huffington Post. examinations provide a ladder for china/2018/06/28/some-western-universities-see-merit- 2012, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/china- in-chinas-flawed-exam South China Morning Post. “The across all provinces, around the date gaokao_n_1578905.html upward economic mobility and help controversial Chinese college entrance exam opening doors at 19. Teo Cheng Wee. “High-tech security for uni entrance exams.” more American universities.” 2018. https://www.scmp.com/ of the 7th of June. The test lasts nine The Straits Times. 2016. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/ preserve social meritocracy — starting news/china/society/article/2151869/controversial-chinese- hours over period of two days; on these east-asia/high-tech-security-for-uni-entrance-exams with China’s grueling civil service college-entrance-exam-opening-doors-more 20. Charlie Campbell. “Chinese Students Face Up to 7 Years in Prison 17. Chieu Luu, Serenitie Wang. “Could you pass China's grueling, days, the gravity of the exam is palpable for Cheating on College-Entrance Exams.” Time. 2016. http:// examination dating back over 1,500 5-hour civil service exam?” CNN, 2016, https://www.cnn. time.com/4360968/china-gaokao-examination-university- com/2016/11/28/asia/china-civil-service-exam/index.html in urban China. In areas near testing entrance-cheating-jail-prison/ 7 8

tests are not all the same; adjustments “National 3” standard exam. Beijing, into. Pilot reform schemes have been 23Students must understand complex are made in order to adapt for the , , , and , introduced in some provinces to give proofs and work quickly through quality of the average school and as well as island, each offer their students more latitude in course the test. may not be opportunities available to the students own gaokao exam. This means that selection, which we explore later in this used, so students must also avoid in each . Most of China’s coastal there were not one but nine gaokao paper. For nearly all students, the test is careless errors. According and most populous provinces offer the exams offered in 2018 (there were 16 administered entirely in Chinese, with to an academic study in the UK, the “National 1” standard exam, considered different provincial variations in 2014). the exception of the foreign language level of math on the gaokao is “is the hardest version of the gaokao. Though, the tests differ slightly in component. between A-level and further maths China’s less developed provinces, as the number and types of questions, A-level...Therefore, the Chinese paper Unsurprisingly, the gaokao is notoriously well as those in the country’s northeast every exam is certified and securely [the gaokao] seems to be equivalent to difficult, given its immense influence on offer the “National 2” standard, which administered by the government to entry into a good British university to the futures of students21 and the fact is somewhat easier. China’s least guarantee its acceptability for domestic read but higher than the that the test must be able to identify the developed inland provinces with weaker admission purposes. British requirement (GCSE) to support top .01% of students in the country. In education systems offer an easier still the study of another subject.”24 Here’s its modern history since 1977, no one two examples from in 2008 and has ever received a perfect 750 score. Jiangsu in 201625 that illustrate the The gaokao is so difficult that there are Section 2. challenging nature of the exam: actually artificial intelligence research THE TEST ITSELF: WHAT CONTENT teams at Chinese universities that have attempted to create AI technology DOES THE GAOKAO TEST INCLUDE? 21. Ruixxue Jia, Hongbin Li. “Access to Elite Education, Wage capable of sitting for some parts of the Premium, and Social Mobility:The Truth and Illusion of 22 China’s College Entrance Exam.” . March test. 15, 2017. https://economics.yale.edu/sites/default/files/ eliteeducation170314.pdf — 22. Gong Cheng †, Weixi Zhu , Ziwei Wang, Jianghui Chen, Yuzhong Qu. Taking up the Gaokao Challenge: An Information The three academic staples of the (wenke 文科) or natural (like Retrieval Approach.” Nanjing University. 2016. https://pdfs. semanticscholar.org/23fa/42927ce66e36a9e480459618acdfd gaokao are Standard 理科). Humanities include topics " 5f86919.pdf (yuwen 语文), mathematics, and a in history, politics and geography, A.HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE 23. Davey G, De Lian C and Higgins L 2007 The University Entrance System in China in Journal of Further and Higher Education 31:4, foreign language (English, French, while natural sciences are tested in NATURAL EXAMS? 385-396 24. Davey G, De Lian C and Higgins L 2007 The University Entrance Japanese, or Russian). Beyond the , and . In most Questions on the mathematics section System in China in Journal of Further and Higher Education 31:4, are straightforward but challenging, 385-396 three main sections, students, in most provinces, this formulation is known 25. Yujia. “2016 Jiangsu Gaokao (National Higher Education regions, must choose between two as “3+X”, with the X representing the with a heavy emphasis on advanced Entrance Exam)— Mathematics.” 2016. Medium, 2016, https:// medium.com/@yujia_jo/2016-jiangsu-gaokao-national-higher- concentrations, either humanities concentration exams students opt , trigonometry, and conicals. education-entrance-exam-mathematics-2beefb93cec7 9 10

" B. HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE ➢ What happened in Soviet Russia in HUMANITIES EXAMS? the 1920s?

For students opting into the humanities A. Private enterprises began to emerge track, the tests are difficult, but in a B. State-run businesses had more autonomy somewhat different way. The history C. The government prohibited the sale of food exam has and essay D. Peasants were active in collective farming. questions. Some questions purely The essay questions tend to be based drill a student’s ability to recall a For students opting into the sciences Other tests in the science track are also upon a provided passage. Students particular fact, while others combine track, the exam is grueling. In 2016, challenging. The chemistry exam is very are asked to analyze a concept a logical thinking component with a the Chinese Students and Scholars comprehensive, with a heavy focus on described in the passage in a broader fact-based question. The knowledge- Association at McGill University filmed experimental application of chemistry historical context based on the based history questions are remarkably a physics professor at the university concepts (as opposed to knowledge, student’s knowledge, but the questions broad in scope but specific in nature: taking a selection from the gaokao analysis, or comprehension).27 Here’s often outright tell students a broad students must pivot from the details physics exam. The professor’s initial an example of a gaokao chemistry conclusion at which their essay should of a medieval Chinese battle to Soviet reaction was disbelief at the difficulty question from 2012. arrive. The student’s job is often to lay economic policy to the American of the questions, and by the end of the out an argument or interpretation that Federalist Papers. Two simple multiple session, he stated that a a student with ➢ Which of the following experiments proves that conclusion. Most essay are designed correctly? choice questions appear below: a perfect gaokao physics score “has questions on the history exam contain a right to be in an advanced physics A. Put SO2 into Bromine water to show that Literature and art are products of a 350-word passage, which we’ve 26 ➢ course” at McGill. SO2 is bleaching. the times in which they are created that omitted from this sample for brevity. also reflect the spirit of those times. As an example, one of three essays on B. Put scrap iron into dilute Nitric acid to show Choose the correct pair below: 28 Iron is more active than H2. the 2018 Jiangsu provides 2 passages A. Dramatic changes in society following the about the evolution of Buddhism and Industrial Revolution -- rise of Modern Art C. Drop clear limewater into a solution to show Confucianism in China, and then asks there is CO3^{2-}. B. Intensified social conflicts in Western 26. On a somewhat lighter note, we really liked this video filmed students to write one essay answering by the McGill CSSA! Feel free to have a look for yourself of a capitalist countries in the 19th century--rise physics professor taking the gaokao: https://www.youtube.com/ D. Put ethylene into an acidic solution of of Realism both questions below. watch?v=ZvF6hzWdGZw 27. Erdi ALTUN, Gülten ŞENDUR, Şenol ALPAT (2016). “Comparison KMnO4 to show ethylene is reductive. C. Spiritual crisis in the West post-WWI of The Main Features and The Chemistry Questions of University — birth of Impressionism Entrance Examinations in China and Turkey.” Dokuz Eylül University. http://dergipark.gov.tr/download/article-file/209705 D. Prosperity of Western capitalism after WWII — birth of Romanticism 11 12

➢ (Requirements: clarity of opinion; The mandatory Chinese section (which combination of history and theory; both natural and humanities students logical rigor; smooth presentation; must sit for) is famous for its cryptic approximately 280 words) essay prompts. Students have been asked to write 800 word essays on (1) According to the first passage, different topics like how Thomas Edison would Chinese cultural traditions have been fused or have reacted to today’s smartphones. combined three times. What are the differences One year’s essay particularly enigmatic between these three instances of fusion? The typhoon above: ➢A. is formed in the sea of the Yellow Sea in prompt was: summer (2) According to the first and second passage as B. the range of less than 6 is the strongest well as your own academic knowledge, taking The containers for milk are always wind ➢ the Song and Ming dynasties as examples, write square boxes, containers for mineral C. air pressure at the lowest point will have a small essay on the "inclusiveness" and "vitality" water are always round bottles, and maximum wind speed of Chinese culture. (9 points) D. The wind direction of the northwest side round wine bottle are usually placed The multiple choice part of the is the north wind. in square boxes. Write an essay on the geography exam is similar to the history subtle philosophy of the round and 29 exam: it includes logical deduction ➢ Between June and August, a cruise square. and fact-based questions requiring ship travels from province to The English foreign language exam is an extensive knowledge of world and Venice, passing by Mumbai. Which of perhaps the most carefully scrutinized local maps, meteorology, topography, the following would it experience on part of the gaokao in international and urban planning. The exam is the way? higher education. We analyze the decisively quantitative and scientific in A. When passing through the Red Sea, large stretches of forests will be seen alongside English exam later in this paper in a nature, including word problems about the coast. separate section given the complexity traffic patterns, GDP rates in different B. When passing through the South China of discussions surrounding the learning provinces, and typhoon formations sea, the cruise will face continuous rain. outcomes surrounding it and its validity and leaving out topics in “human C. When passing through the Arabian Sea, as an English assessment. geography”. For example: the cruise will sail against winds and currents. D. When passing through the Mediterranean

Sea, the cruise will experience several 29. People’s Daily Online. “Composition topics of Chinese exam 28. 高考网. “2018年江苏历史高考试题.” 2018. http://www. days of rainstorms. unveiled as Gaokao in progress.” June 7, 2013. http://en.people. gaokao.com/e/20180614/5b21d908c955a.shtml cn/203691/8277153.html 13 14

Section 3. A second significant contrast to many international admissions processes: " COMPARING THE GAOKAO WITH OTHER gaokao scores almost perfectly match B. HOW DOES THE ENGLISH university placements. Each year, SECTION COMPARE WITH INTERNATIONAL EXAMS OTHER ASSESSMENTS? students will send their applications in and universities will release the gaokao If a student opts into the English exam — score cutoff for each province. Without as their foreign language choice, then essays, transcripts, or interviews, their gaokao score sheet will include an universities only consider gaokao English test score. The English section of " scores. In very rare circumstances, the gaokao is a mix of questions based A. WHAT ARE THE GENERAL students can get a small number on rote memorization, written grammar, DIFFERENCES? of bonus points (less than 3% of a and . There is a supplemental Fundamentally, the gaokao is different cumulative score) added to their gaokao listening section, but there is no spoken from standardized assessments such as under programs for affirmative action, English component. It is important to the SAT or ACT in that the gaokao tests veteran benefits, and the re-integration remember that the English section is a what a student knows rather than what of Chinese students from or test of a foreign language topic, similar the student can deduce or determine. from overseas.30 to a SAT II Foreign Language score The SAT does require students to exam, not an English proficiency exam. learn vocabulary, grammatical rules, Chinese universities’ admission and some mathematical formulas, but cutoff scores vary by province and The English section of the gaokao generally the SAT I is a test of deduction concentration. Universities have specific mirrors the format of the rest of the and application, whereas the SAT II Further differences abound: the gaokao recruiting plans allotting a specific gaokao. It places a focus on pre- focuses on subject-specific content is offered only once per year, and re- number of seats for each province, prepared English phrases, advanced knowledge. The gaokao, on the other taking carries stigma for the student and otherwise similar cities often have vocabulary, and long sentences rather hand, requires the student to memorize and their families. The tracking of different cutoff scores, depending on than reading comprehension and vast amounts of mathematical, natural and humanities differs from the popularity of that university in the interpreting context. The test begins historical, philosophical, and other a focus on one particular subject province and the number of position with multiple choice questions and then types of information to receive a high specialization or a general test. available that year. has a short answer and an essay section. score on the test. The sheer volume of The test is administered directly by the reading and preparatory materials on Two examples of questions from Ministry of Education, as opposed to 30. 学信网. “高等教育学历认证受理机构.” February 2, 2013. previous gaokao exams offer an the desk of an average student in China private organizations in the US. https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlrz/201202/20120228/284945923. html is instructive. 15 16

interesting glimpse of the style and ➢ During my second year at the city Section 4. structure of some questions. The college，I was told that the education multiple choice section tests students’ department was offering a "free" INTERPRETING AND ASSESSING reading comprehension, understanding course, called Thinking Chess, for GAOKAO SCORES of basic expressions and contextual three credits. I 41 the idea of taking clues. Here’s a sample multiple choice the class because ，after all ,who passage. doesn't want to 42 a few dollars? More than that, I'd always wanted to — First Tier universities make up learn chess. And, even if I weren’t 43 over 96% of the state’s scientific enough about free credits, news about " A. HOW DO CHINESE laboratories and over 70% of our 44 was appealing enough to me. Short essay sections read similarly to an UNIVERSITIES INTERPRET research funding. He was an international grandmaster, SAT Section, though the writing SCORES? which 45 I would be learning from • Tier Two Universities are usually prompt and reading sections are much one of the game's 46 .I could hardly Chinese universities evaluate only an provincial-level, undergraduate simpler. For example: wait to 47 him. applicants’ cumulative score. When institutions regarded as lower in If you are Li Hua and your friend Terry from New Chinese universities set their minimum quality than Tier One universities. 41. A. put forward B. jumped at Zealand is going to visit China to a friend’s house cutoff scores for admission, they C. tried out D. turned down • Tier Three universities include and he emails to you asking about customs, consider how many applicants from all independent or private how would you reply to him? You email must 42. A. waste B. earn each province exist and what tier or include arrival time and proper presents. undergraduate and C. save D. pay ranking the government assigns the universities, which are approved 43. A. excited B. worried university. C. moved D. tired but not funded by the Ministry of Chinese universities are divided into Education. 44. A. title B. competitor explicit “tiers” that reflect the academic C. textbook D. instructor • A fourth option for a small portion quality and government classification. 45. A. urged B. demanded of the population is known as the C. held D. meant • Tier One Universities are usually Early Batch, which includes the 46. A. fastest B. easiest affiliated with the Ministry of ‘special universities’, such as military C. best D. rarest Education and include many of or police academies, sports and the “Double First Class Initiative” arts schools, and highly specialized 47. A. interview B. meet universities, which represent about courses of study, such as Arabic or C. challenge D. beat 100 of the top universities in China. Archeology. 17 18

The difference between these tiers gaokao scores. Students with The gaokao was created with the is deeply ingrained in the Chinese the required score may apply to " intent of establishing a merit-based psyche and reflects differences in several universities in that tier. B. WHERE DO CHINA’S MOST admissions test, but some regions funding, post-graduation employment Each university then accepts the ELITE UNIVERSITIES SET THE like Beijing and Shanghai benefit CUTOFF SCORES? prospects, course quality, and research students that apply, starting with from an explicit system of regional opportunities. Student who fall only the highest-scoring students and Tsinghua University and Peking discrimination. Students from Beijing or a few points short of the Tier One working their way down the list of University tend to have the highest Shanghai are up to 20 times more likely university cutoff face an education applicants until all seats allotted to cutoff scores that are closest to the to be accepted to Peking University future with significantly fewer resources each province are filled. After the maximum scores for each province. For and Tsinghua University compared to and far dimmer post-graduation last student from each province is most of provinces, the top score is out those in or . This system, employment prospects. About 20% accepted, universities then publish of 750, a sum of 150 points each from combined with the difficulty of the test of all students (1.8 million students) their respective score minima. Chinese Language, Mathematics, and itself has led to record high numbers do not meet the cutoff score for tier 3 a foreign language (usually English), of students from second and third tier • By late July: Each Tier 1 university universities; these students generally plus 300 points from one of the cities in China re-taking the gaokao announces its final cutoff score for are not able to enroll in any university at concentrations. The only exceptions each year, with 1.5 million students each province. all that year. of provinces with different full score retaking the gaokao in 2017.31 • By early August: Each Tier 2 standards are Hainan (900), Jiangsu Here’s a timeline for the gaokao and university announces its final cutoff (480) and Shanghai (660). domestic admission. Please note that score for each province. this date may change by one or two Total Gaokao PKU TSU Acceptance days depending on when weekends fall • By mid- August: Each Tier 3 Recruitment Submissions Recruit Plan Recruit Plan Rate Plan each year: university announces its final cutoff score for each province. Henan 865,800 199 198 397 0.046% • June 7-8: Students take the gaokao 583,000 141 160 301 0.052% across China. Hebei 436,200 137 130 267 0.061% Tianjin 57,000 77 82 159 0.279% • June 23: The Provincial Education Shanghai 50,000 122 98 220 0.440% Department announces the Beijing 60,600 257 296 553 0.913% minimum cutoff scores for each tier of university based upon score data. 31. May, Tiffany. “For Survivors of a 9-Hour Chinese Exam, a Door • June 26: students receive their Opens to America.” . June 13, 2018. https:// www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/world/asia/china-gaokao-new- hampshire.html 19 20

but an especially low gaokao English words or 3,500 word families.33 The The Pearson Test of English and " score might reasonably be used as a vocabulary standards for gaokao are the International Test of English C. INTERPRETING GAOKAO disqualifying criterion for admission, likely lower than those of the TOEFL, Proficiency also offer by appointment ENGLISH SCORES IN AN below a certain threshold. This thinking is and the gaokao’s writing component exams, sometimes with schedules and INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT consistent with a UK government report, is generally too simple and does not locations that are more accessible for For international institutions, gaokao which found that the subject sections examine a student’s ability to craft an some students. Interviews conducted scores can be used to assess three of the gaokao comparable to the UK argument or opinion in English. But by the university itself or by private different aspects of a student’s A-Levels Exams but that the gaokao perhaps the strongest argument for interview companies are a popular readiness: a general assessment of English is not equivalent to English at not allowing the gaokao English exam alternative to standardized exams. 32 the student’s intellect and degree to GCSE Level. to satisfy an English requirement is And of course, pathway or foundation which they are invested in their studies, not what the exam includes but what it programs are common in many An extremely low English score probably a student’s academic preparedness excludes: an examination of a student’s universities with active international indicates that a candidate does not have on particular topics covered in their speaking abilities, their ability to listen recruitment apparatuses. the English necessary to study a subject elective tracks, and a student’s English to a complex passage and summarize, through the medium of English, simply abilities. This paper argues that the and their ability to use apply common because a score of below 50 (out of gaokao is a reasonably good measure of phrases outside of a rigid rubric. 150) invariably means that a candidate a student’s attitude towards academics got many vocabulary questions wrong This thinking is consistent the approach in general and level of academic and likely does not have enough of a of with most gaokao-considering preparation in Chinese, but it is a weak vocabulary foundation. A student with universities. Most UK and Canadian predictor of the sorts of English abilities a high gaokao English score (120 or universities require a TOEFL or IELTS required in a seminar or discussion- above) is very likely to understand about score. The University of San Francisco based class. However, the gaokao 3,000 - 3,500 written English words. accepts either and encourages its English test may be a useful way of Researchers estimate that, in order to gaokao students without these scores identifying students particularly weak sit for the TOEFL and understand 95% to sit for a special interview process. English abilities, since an especially of the words in a passage and interpret The University of New Hampshire low gaokao score usually indicates context, a student needs to know 4,500 allows students without these scores weak knowledge of basic grammar to enroll in a sort of pathway program, and syntax. This paper would caution or to submit a Duolingo English test, against using a gaokao English score as 33. Chujo, Kiyomi & Oghigian, Kathryn. (2009). How many words which can be conducted on demand do you need to know to understand TOEIC, TOEFL & EIKEN? An a sole criterion for English assessment, 32. UK NARIC 2008 International Secondary Qualifications as opposed to by appointment. examination of text coverage and high frequency vocabulary. Cheltenham The Journal of Asian TEFL. 6. 121-148. 21 22

provincial discrimination and also scores of 34 other countries34 into the The University Cambridge uses model " that natural sciences and humanities Spanish standard university entrance #4 above: “The Gaokao scores of D. INTERPRETING GAOKAO tracks will have difference cutoffs. mark which ranges from 5-10 points. successful applicants will vary from SUBJECT AND CUMULATIVE Spain’s formation for the gaokao is fairly province to province and year to year. SCORES IN AN INTERNATIONAL 3. Whether a student’s cumulative simple and adjusts for differences in As a guideline, successful applicants will CONTEXT score meets a minimum percentage of the maximum possible score. provincial scoring systems: usually have scores in the top 0.1% of Most universities that accept or consider those taking 4. Whether a student’s cumulative (student’s gaokao score - minimum gaokao score)×5 gaokao scores in admissions decisions +5= Spanish Entrance Mark the Gaokao score is above a threshold (maximum gaokao score - minimum gaokao score) do not mirror the Chinese system of in their among other students from the 36 evaluation, where the score is the sole province.” This rubric is comparatively same province (note that this is Spain’s leading public universities criterion considered. Most require at more fair, since it does not reflect impossible to compute until each generally require that applicants have least gaokao score, a school transcript, Chinese provincial discrimination province publishes its score data). at least 45% of the gaokao maximum and a language assessment (in the form and avoids the problems of directly score to be considered, with the of a standardized assessment, interview, 5. Including one of the above comparing results on exams of different exact admission standard depending or completion of a foundation program). considerations as part of a difficulty levels. It also avoids the need upon what major or course of study a Many also require a personal statement holistic admissions process that to create a complex score equation. student wishes to apply to. While this and other supporting documents. includes other variables such as However, this approach is labor- formulation adjusts for different scoring extracurricular involvement, GPA, intensive. Percentile data is not listed rubrics across different provinces, it Generally, though, most international and personal statement. on gaokao score sheets, so universities does not account for differences in universities assess gaokao scores using must calculate it themselves. Data on difficulty levels between the National I, one of the following metrics: the distribution of scores across all National II, and National III level exams. provincial populations is challenging 1. Whether a student’s cumulative Spanish university score standards are to find and requires that the university score is above a minimum score set also comparatively low. Gaokao cutoff analyze the distribution curve of scores by the university itself. " E. COMPARATIVE MODELS scores can be as low as 338/750, even 2. Whether a student’s cumulative FOR INTERPRETING AND to some majors at Spain most elite CONVERTING GAOKAO SCORES universities like Complutense University score is above the score minimum 34. Generalitat de Catalunya. “I am a student living outside Catalonia for Tier 1 or Tier 2 universities in Universities in Spain apply a version of Madrid.35 Such a threshold is well and/or a foreigner and want to come here to study.” 2018. http://universitats.gencat.cat/en/que_puc_fer/soc_estudiant_ China (or some subset of these of models 1 and 3 above. Spanish below even the Tier 2 university cutoff de_fora/index.html 35. Vista Education. “ 马德里康普顿斯大学高考成绩对照表 .” 2013. universities). Note that this will universities have a conversion system score in some provinces. http://www.vistaway.cn/spain/shenqing/201208018130.html reflect the Chinese system of 36. University of Cambridge. “Information for Applicants from for converting the national examination China.” https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/china 23 24

in each province each year. Some is one of motivation: if a gaokao-track distribution of gaokao scores each year, those of humanities, so we would expect provinces release this data on the same student has the qualification to attend meaning that the percentile is at best this skew in favor of humanities track day as score releases, but others delay a tier 1 university in China, then why an estimate. students and understate the number of for several days. would they forego that opportunity and qualified science-track students. Some universities in the United pay many times the cost of domestic Universities in New Zealand and Kingdom and New Zealand employ Universities in the United States tend tuition to attend a university abroad Australia tend to utilize model #2, a model #3, usually requiring that to use model #5 and seldom publish with a lower or equivalent ranking? often requiring a score equivalent students get 60%, 70%, or 80% of a minimum score for consideration, to the Chinese Tier 1 cutoff score, It is worth noting that not all universities the maximum score on the gaokao, unlike most of the rest of the world. essentially replicating the Chinese in Australia use model #2: some depending on the selectivity of the Rather, in the absence of an SAT or system of admissions with additional combine #1 and 3. For example, the university. The University of Birmingham ACT score, the universities seem to be international requirements such as University of Western Australia converts (UK) requires 80%, well above the including gaokao scores as an additional a language assessment. This system gaokao scores into a domestic exam Chinese Tier 1 cutoff. Lincoln University data point in a more holistic assessment is simple and allows the universities equivalent (ATAR). This is slightly in New Zealand sets the yardstick at of student readiness for the university. to draw from more easily accessible different from the Spanish system of 70%, which is close to the Tier 1 cutoff The University of San Francisco states data sources. On the other hand, the absolute points, because the ATAR for most provinces (although outlier that they aim to admit students whose system replicates all of the problems operates as a percentile. Below is The provinces mean that 70% is too low in scores are above the middle of the with the gaokao including provincial University of Western Australia’s (UWA) some areas for Tier 1 admission and Chinese Tier 2 university range.37 Still, discrimination. Students taking the chart for converting gaokao scores. well above the hurdle in other areas). most gaokao-accepting American same test from different provinces Many that use this approach have schools do not publish an exact number, This system is also not without its own have different cutoff scores, and different cutoff scores depending on unlike their foreign counterparts. One flaws. It combines different 750-point- for an international university to the competitiveness of the major that possible explanation for this is that scale exams together as though they institutionalize discrimination based on the students wishes to pursue. This accepting the gaokao is a new endeavor were of the same difficulty level. It region of origin is morally questionable approach avoids replicating Chinese for these American universities, and pegs an absolute gaokao score to and perhaps legally tenuous in other provincial discrimination and is simple they are still in the process of identifying a percentile-based score, without developed countries. A second problem to calculate. However, glosses over what gaokao scores best correlate to actually accounting for the percentile different difficult standards across the profile of an average student at the GAO KAO GAO KAO GAO KAO GAO KAO GAO KAO ATAR provinces and also equates the school. OVERALL OVERALL OVERALL OVERALL OVERALL EQUIVALENT SCORE OF 480 SCORE OF 600 SCORE OF 750 SCORE OF 810 SCORE OF 900 humanities and sciences track scores. 336 420 525 567 630 80 Chinese university cutoff scores for the 413 516 645 697 774 96 37. University of San Francisco. ‘University of San Francisco Gaokao 432 540 675 729 810 98 sciences track are noticeably lower than Admission.’ 2018. https://www.usfca.edu/sites/default/files/ admission/pdf/intl/gaokao_faq_eng.pdf 442 552 690 745 828 99 * UWA chart for converting gaokao scores 25 26

Section 5. gaining traction as alternative English most labor-intensive option. Perhaps proficiency tests. Some American an equally labor intensive but similarly CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS ABOUT universities offer accurate approach would be to examine a percentage of total score, but to ACCEPTING THE GAOKAO special interview opportunities inside adjust the percentage requirements by China on certain dates or partner with testing track and province, according online interview companies able to to an independent assessment of the quickly conduct and certify interviews. — difficulty of each exam and track. A. Release date of the gaokao scores. to do this may aim to recruit these Others still have their own tests Gaokao scores are usually released on students for intensive administered on campus (the results D. Verifying gaokao scores: June 23rd, well past many universities’ programs affiliated to the university of which determine whether a student Particularly for an exam with such high application and enrollment deadlines with more forgiving deadlines or simply must complete a pathway program or stakes, it’s important that universities and sometimes closer to new student aim to recruit students for the spring of may directly enroll). have a way of verifying gaokao scores orientation than the deadline itself. And the following year. that applicants report. The most widely C. Different Regions, Different Tests: of course, it would be unreasonable to trusted verification service is the China B. English Assessments: Simply using Chinese Tier 1 qualification expect students to apply to a foreign Higher Education Student Information as an admissions criterion replicates university mere days following score Since the gaokao is such a time- and Career Center (CHESICC), also the unfairness inherent in the Chinese release dates: families need at least consuming, domestic-focused known in Chinese as the 学信网. system: students in Jiangsu, Shandong, several weeks to consider the option exam, students are less likely to have Trusted by the Chinese Ministry of and Henan are put as a significant of overseas study. Of course, for standardized English assessments Education to verify gaokao scores, disadvantage. The simplest method universities able to accept several dozen such as the TOEFL or the IELTS. While to avoid this issue is to evaluate the students can apply for a transcript Chinese applicants in early July for the generally a 70% of full marks on the percentage of the total score, as the certification that will be available following fall will have an advantage with gaokao English exam should be viewed University of Birmingham has done. online for university representatives gaokao track students, but there are in a positive light, it’s important to While simple, this ignores salient to check. Universities will only need still possibilities for recruiting qualified remember that the gaokao English is differences between the science and to be provided a confirmation code by students for universities unable to not generally viewed as an adequate humanities testing tracks and the the student to check the score on the accept fall candidates so late. One measure of English proficiency. Instead, differences in difference in difficult CHESICC website. Using the student’s option is to keep a very limited number it is advisable to broaden the scope between National I, II, and III exams. national identification number, of seats of the fall class open for late of acceptable English assessments. Examining a students’ score percentile universities can quickly verify the scores consideration in order to accommodate PTE, iTEP, and particularly Duolingo compared with other students in their provided by applicants. Our research gaokao students. For universities unable (which is available on demand) are home province is likely the best but indicates that this system is reliable 27 28

and that, because the administration of that few universities that accept the F. Targeting the Students: of schools, there is more likely to be the gaokao is so secure and intensely gaokao consider it a good measure Gaokao students are a phenomenally language barrier, and communication scrutinized, a student’s gaokao score of a students’ critical thinking ability, diverse 10-million-person population habits differ: emails often go ignored may be the most reliable part of a but rather use it to assess earnestness that represent the full spectrum of or are checked every few weeks, and student’s application, with a vanishingly and ability to master a subject area. China’s population. Most do not have the WeChat accounts of the decision low chance of fraud compared with The politics section draws the contrast the inclination, English ability, or makers can be hard to find. In this other application components. between the gaokao and American resources to study overseas, so it can be context, targeted marketing campaigns testing systems into sharper contrast, daunting to craft a strategy to reach this over Weibo, digital campaigns like E. Critical Thinking but it’s worth remembering that nearly audience. Gaokao-track school officials the China Test Optional Initiative, and The gaokao is a knowledge-based all high school students in China must tend to be especially protective of their thoughtfully crafted pay per click assessment that is both deep and take classes on politics and Chinese seniors, since an hour spent at a college campaigns on Chinese search engines comprehensive, and questions requiring history that use government-issued fair or an information session is an hour like 360, Sogou, Shenma, and Baidu are critical thinking are not a prominent textbooks and curricula, so outbound not spent on studying. With these sorts very helpful. feature of the gaokao’s multiple choice students from China are steeped in questions. Essay answers have been this content already. Particularly for penalized for expressing “incorrect” universities on the less selective end of Section 6. points of view, even if they are logically the spectrum, or those with aggressive argued. Humanities students have a recruitment goals, it may be preferable RECOMMENDATIONS politics subject test which is more of a to have an international student on test of communist party dogma than campus who needs additional academic one of or . Many support than having that student’s — critics of the gaokao have pointed seat be empty. There is also a strong out that success in the gaokao may argument to be made that the SAT and A. Make a Decision about Testing that If you decide that accepting the gaokao come at the expense of honing critical ACT are far from perfect measures of Reflects Your Institution: Nothing is a as part of a holistic admissions decision thinking and communication skills preparedness themselves. It can cost panacea for increasing enrollments or is right for you, make sure that you which are associated with success in thousands of dollars for a student and a improving the quality of candidates. This have sufficient consensus from various seminar and discussion-based classes. guardian to fly out of China for several applies for accepting gaokao or going stakeholders on campus first. Particularly for universities with robust days to sit for the SAT, and there’s a non- test-optional as well. Consider your B. If you accept the gaokao, consider faculty governance, these criticisms are negligible risk that their score may be institution’s ranking, name recognition, adopting a scoring rubric that avoids likely barriers for gaokao acceptance. invalidated or cancelled due to security other admissions criteria for comparable regional discrimination so that you However, it is worth remembering reasons. territories, and system of governance. 29 * Appendix: Chinese Gaokao Cutoff Scores by Province 2018 2017 2016 Humanities Science Humanities Science Humanities Science Maximum Score Tier 1 550 505 515 487 521 518 750 Tier 2 486 432 440 413 482 473 Maximum Score Tier 1 576 532 555 537 583 548 Beijing don’t unfairly disadvantage students D. Market and advertise that you accept 750 Tier 2 488 432 468 439 532 494 Maximum Score Tier 1 524 524 525 492 527 525 from China’s post populous provinces. gaokao through online campaigns 750 Tier 2 434 428 436 395 435 416 Maximum Score Tier 1 490 551 489 441 501 465 Fujian Regardless of whether your institution on your school’s Weibo and WeChat 750 Tier 2 378 446 380 333 403 352 Maximum Score Tier 1 502 483 505 460 504 490 uses the gaokao score as the primary account. 750 Tier 2 456 436 458 408 455 435 Maximum Score Tier 1 443 376 520 485 514 508 determinant for admission or as part E. List this option on your Chinese 750 Tier 2 418 360 417 402 Maximum Score Tier 1 484 513 535 473 545 502 of a holistic process, we would suggest website and consider search engine 750 Tier 2 403 345 387 318 400 333 Maximum Score Tier 1 575 484 545 456 551 473 one of the following systems: optimization and a pay per click 750 Tier 2 477 379 453 361 457 365 Maximum Score Tier 1 579 539 578 539 653 602 • (Most accurate, but most campaign. Hainan 900 Tier 2 577 543 Maximum Score Tier 1 559 511 517 485 535 525 complicated) Set a percentile F. Join the China Test Optional Initiative Hebei 750 Tier 2 358 441 395 326 416 364 threshold for student scores, Maximum Score Tier 1 490 472 481 455 481 486 which targets students at schools that 750 Tier 2 406 353 400 335 401 369 compared to students from the Maximum Score Tier 1 547 499 516 484 517 523 are most likely to have the interest and Henan 750 Tier 2 436 374 389 342 458 447 same province and the same testing inclination to study abroad. Maximum Score Tier 1 561 512 528 484 520 512 750 Tier 2 441 375 406 345 403 350 year. Maximum Score Tier 1 569 513 548 505 530 517 G. Know what your gaokao score 750 Tier 2 526 450 485 424 476 439 • Set a percentage threshold verification process will be, and be Maximum Score Tier 1 501 478 472 466 477 484 750 Tier 2 399 336 375 328 375 346 compared to the maximum possible prepared in late June and early July for Maximum Score Tier 1 337 336 333 331 355 353 Jiangsu score, ideally indexing or adjusting 480 Tier 2 281 285 281 269 325 315 applications. Maximum Score Tier 1 568 527 533 503 523 529 Jiangxi for difficulty of different exams. 750 Tier 2 496 447 458 422 450 445 Maximum Score Tier 1 542 553 528 507 531 530 • Set a minimum score value for each 750 Tier 2 432 405 412 379 413 402 Maximum Score Tier 1 461 368 532 480 525 498 province. 750 Tier 2 428 350 417 373 Maximum Score Tier 1 528 463 519 439 516 465 • (Simplest but least fair and accurate) 750 Tier 2 498 432 408 487 486 434 Maximum Score Tier 1 475 403 463 391 457 416 Adopt the threshold used by 750 Tier 2 424 365 421 356 415 380 Maximum Score Tier 1 518 474 509 449 511 470 Chinese tier 1 or 2 universities, or a 750 Tier 2 467 425 457 397 460 423 Maximum Score Tier 1 530 537 Shandong 505 435 483 433 threshold that is higher than tier 2 750 Tier 2 474 451 Maximum Score Tier 1 Shanghai 401 402 368 360 and lower than tier 1, depending on 660 Tier 2 Maximum Score Tier 1 546 516 518 481 518 519 your institution’s selectivity. 750 Tier 2 476 432 452 400 460 438 Maximum Score Tier 1 553 546 537 511 540 532 C. Translate a press release into 750 Tier 2 492 458 470 436 480 453 Maximum Score Tier 1 436 407 531 521 532 512 Tianjin Chinese and circulate it to Chinese 750 Tier 2 401 395 460 424 Maximum Score Tier 1 500 467 486 437 487 464 language media. Seek the help of a 750 Tier 2 372 341 375 333 415 394 Maximum Score Tier 1 460 445 441 426 440 425 local organization in facilitating news Xizang () 750 Tier 2 355 335 356 316 355 315 Maximum Score Tier 1 575 530 555 500 560 525 coverage. 750 Tier 2 490 430 465 410 495 445 Maximum Score Tier 1 588 577 603 600 Zhejiang 750 Tier 2 490 480 462 439 CHINA TEST OPTIONAL INITIATIVE

CHINA TEST OPTIONAL INITIATIVE

Empower Students Left Behind by the Gaokao and SAT/ACT

The China Test Optional Initiative (CTOI)’s goal is to bridge the gap between the growing test-optional policy movement How does the China Test Optional Initiative work? The CTOI is a web index accessible inside without in international higher education with the VPN. Students browse a list of test-optional universities organized by extraordinary number of Chinese students geography and indicate their interest in learning more about that seeking international education opportunities school’s application process. Once they express interest in applying to a particular university, we relay that student’s inquiry and the contact after taking the Gaokao or other standardized information that they choose to provide to the university that they exams each year. inquire about. The average institution can expect 250-300 inquires, which generally spike in late June and early July.

If your institution is test-optional and welcome Who should join? applications in the summer, please consider Universities or English Language Institutes affiliated to universities need joining CTOI to make these students aware to satisfy these conditions: of all their options. To learn more, please visit 1. Does not require submission of SAT or ACT scores. 2. For English language assessments, is willing to accept any of www.sieconnection.com/ctoi or email us at the following: Duolingo, PTE, university-administered English [email protected]. assessments, English class grades from a student’s sending institution, or Gaokao English scores. CHINA TEST OPTIONAL INITIATIVE

A White Paper by Sunrise International Education

www.sieconnection.com [email protected]