Korean Educational Development Institute(KEDI)

College entrance exams(also called gaokao) have been drawing attention from both educators and the society at large in China. The establishment and development of the college admission system, which revolves around the college entrance exams, are closely related to the social and political development in the country as well as the influence of traditional culture. From an educational point of view, gaokao serves as a tool to identify qualified college students and to guide learning and teaching in secondary schools. From the societal point of view, gaokao also promotes social equity and mobility. It should be admitted that the nationally unified gaokao does have some negative impact on education at the elementary and secondary level, but it should also be noted that the unified gaokao protects admission decisions from the interference by many other factors such as political connections among people. Thus, it enhances equity and credibility of college enrollment. The introduction of a western admission system, such as that in the United States, to China would require compatible cultural environment, which is not available in China. One such cultural element that has the greatest impact on gaokao reforms is the traditional strong emphasis on and belief in education. Despite gaokao’s negative consequences, its elimination is not an answer for education in China today.