Eyeing Universities Abroad, Chinese Students Skip Gaokao

An increasing number of Chinese students intending to study abroad are forgoing the national college entrance exam, the gaokao, entirely, according to Chinese and international media. In Beijing, 72,736 students registered for this past weekend’s administration of the gaokao, a decline from 126,000 in 2006, China Daily reported. The Guardian also reported that an increasing number of Chinese students are taking the British A-levels in lieu of the gaokao. 

At the same time, a number of universities in Australia have begun accepting gaokao scores in undergraduate admissions.