The Highest Exam: How the Gaokao Shapes China

In this seminar, Jia discussed how the Gaokao System shapes China's social foundation and shared insights from her co-authored book, The Highest Exam: How the Gaokao Shapes China. Drawing on history, data, and personal perspectives, the discussion explored how the Gaokao—rooted in China’s imperial examination tradition—continues to define opportunity, governance, and social mobility in modern China.

• Originating from the keju imperial exam, the Gaokao has evolved into a centralized and hierarchical institution that determines educational and professional trajectories, reinforcing meritocracy and discipline.
• Despite its reputation for transparency, deep disparities persist—wealth, hukou, and provincial quotas still shape access to elite universities and career outcomes.
• The Gaokao fuels social “involution” through intense competition and family pressure but also upholds social stability by providing a visible and trusted path of advancement.
• Contrasting China’s exam-driven model with the U.S. system, the discussion revealed how differing educational philosophies mirror broader social structures—China’s emphasis on governance and order versus America’s focus on creativity and individualism.