The Highest Exam: Jia Ruixue and Li Hongbin on China's Gaokao and What It Reveals About Chinese Society

The Gaokao, China's college entrance exam, is examined beyond its difficulty, revealing its role as a comprehensive selection and elite allocation mechanism deeply embedded in Chinese society. The discussion highlights how the Gaokao shapes educational experiences from primary school, influences job opportunities, and impacts social mobility. Families perceive the exam as pivotal, leading to intense investment in their children's education due to the hierarchical college system where even a single point can significantly alter life outcomes. The conversation explores how the Gaokao's influence extends to labor markets and the state sector, with desirable jobs often linked to success in the exam. Ruixue Jia and Hongbin Li, the authors of "The Highest Exam," share insights on how the Gaokao maintains political legitimacy by offering hope and reinforcing meritocratic beliefs.