My topic is the GaoKao. I chose this topic because my pen pal, Huang Min said that it is a college entrance exam and being a high school senior, entrance exams are interesting to me since I have completed the ACT. Huang wrote to me "If one fails passing the GK, it will take one more year to start senior there". She is saying that if you fail the GaoKao, you have to repeat your senior year. Apparently, senior year is basically just studying for this test.
 |
| Chinese students taking the GaoKao |
GaoKao literally means "high test". This test is all students prepare for all of their senior year and determines where students will go to college. On
businessweek I read that the whole country works together to make sure that the students have a safe and quiet testing center. The test has three main parts; Chinese, math, and English. This test lasts for two days and is very strenuous. I looked at some practice questions and realized that this is the SAT on steroids. it truly shows how hard Chinese students work.
Taking the ACT is one thing but this test is that multiplied by twelve. I don't even think our smartest students at Parkview could pass with a very high sore. Think about it, if this test is all students prepare for during their entire school career, studying for hours and hours everyday, this test is tough. I actually have a lot of respect for Chinese students and their work ethic after looking into the GaoKao.
Letter from Huang Min
Roberts, Dexter.
BloombergBussinessweek. N.p., 6 June 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-06/china-girds-for-high-stress-gaokao-weekend>.
