Every year in early June, something very important happens in this country. Cities become quiet, emergency services get ready, construction stops, and everyone focuses on one thing — an exam that every student aspiring to pursue higher education takes in this country. It is also labelled the toughest exam in the world...
The World’s Toughest Exam is not JEE. It is …..
Gaokao, or the National College Entrance Examination, is not just any test. It is one of the hardest and most competitive exams in the world. In 2025, more than 13.35 million students registered to take this exam. That is 10 times of JEE Main test takers and 5 times of NEET test takers. GAOKAO affects not only the students, but also their families, schools, communities, and even universities in other countries.
Gaokao started in 1952 and is now the main way students in China get into college. In many other countries, universities look at many things like school grades, sports, hobbies, or interviews. But in China, the Gaokao score is often the only thing that decides which university a student can go to.
If a student gets a high score, they can get into top universities like Tsinghua University or Peking University, which are some of the best schools in China. But getting into these schools is very hard — less than 1 out of 1,000 students are accepted.
For many students, doing well on the Gaokao means they can have a good job and a better life. Not doing well can make things much harder. That’s why this exam is very stressful, and students prepare for many years to do their best.
The Gaokao doesn’t just affect students — it also puts pressure on families, schools, and even whole communities who support the students during this time.
Gaokao Participation Over the Years: From 5 Million to 13 Million
The Gaokao has seen a dramatic increase in participation over the decades, reflecting both China's growing population and the heightened emphasis on higher education. From just 5.7 million candidates in 1977, the number of test takers has more than doubled, reaching a historic high of 13.35 million in 2025.
This surge not only underscores the exam’s importance but also illustrates the intense competition students face each year. Key milestones in participation include:
Year
Participation (in Millions)
1977
5.7M
2006
9.5M
2017
9.4M
2018
9.75M
2023
13M
2025
13.35M
As the number of aspirants continues to grow, so does the national infrastructure supporting the Gaokao — from stricter security to broader international recognition — making it not just China’s premier academic challenge, but a global benchmark in educational endurance.
National Mobilization: A Country That Bends for the Exam
There are strict community guidelines that are followed voluntarily during these exams. Every one comes together to ensure that students have an easy time, and reduce disturbance and noise pollution. During the exams, they have:
Construction Bans: Noisy activities like roadwork or building repairs are halted near exam centers.
Traffic Restrictions: No-horn zones and traffic diversions keep noise levels down.
Community Solidarity: Local residents delay celebrations and maintain quiet to support students.
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Oxygen Stations: Especially in high-altitude areas, schools provide oxygen to help with fatigue.
Rest Zones: Quiet rooms with refreshments help students reset between study or exam sessions.
Air Quality Measures: In polluted cities, factories are temporarily shut to ensure cleaner air.
Cooling Facilities: Air conditioners are installed or upgraded in test centers during summer heat.
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The Gaokao is not just a student’s test — it’s a family affair. Parents and students work for the success of the exam.
Hotels Near Exam Centers: Many families book rooms near centers to avoid delays or commutes.
Volunteers Help Families: Locals often offer water, snacks, and umbrellas to parents waiting outside.
Pre-Exam Rallies: Schools energize students with pep rallies, motivational music, and even meditation or yoga sessions to ease nerves.
Unprecedented Security Measures
Given the stakes, security is taken seriously.
Advanced Monitoring: Facial recognition, metal detectors, drones, and signal jammers are used in exam halls.
Paper Escort by SWAT Teams: Exam papers are transported under armed guard to avoid leaks.
Zero Tolerance for Cheating: Caught cheating? You could face up to 7 years in prison under Chinese law.
Exam Pattern, Subjects:
Students choose between two tracks: Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or Arts (Geography, History, Politics), along with compulsory tests in Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language. The exam spans 2 to 4 days, totaling around 9 hours of testing.
Preparation Timeline
Most students begin preparing 2–5 years in advance, often sacrificing personal time, hobbies, and even sleep. This extended preparation has fueled a multi-billion dollar industry of tutoring centers, mock tests, and educational resources. However, the Chinese Government restrict corporates from opening coaching centers and making it a business.
How It Compares: Gaokao vs JEE vs SAT
Here’s how Gaokao stands alongside India’s Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the SAT used for U.S. college admissions:
Metric
Gaokao (China)
JEE (India)
SAT (Global)
Test Takers
13.35 million (2025)
1.3 million
2.3+ million
Duration
2–4 days, ~9 hours
3 hours
3 hours
Subjects
Chinese, Math, Foreign Lang. + Science/Arts
Physics, Chemistry, Math
Reading, Writing, Math (optional Essay)
Frequency
Once a year (June)
Twice a year (Jan, Apr)
Multiple times annually
Acceptance Rates
~0.1% at top universities
~1% at IITs
5–50% depending on the school
Preparation Time
2–5 years
2–4 years
A few months to a year
Core Focus
Conceptual depth, memory + problem-solving
Application-heavy
Critical thinking, reasoning
The Gaokao is more than just a test — it is a symbol of national discipline, academic ambition, and societal unity. It highlights not only the rigorous demands of China’s education system but also the incredible determination of students and the widespread community effort that supports them.
While there are ongoing discussions about the pressure and mental toll it brings, one cannot ignore the scale, structure, and seriousness of this extraordinary event. From months of preparation to national-level coordination, Gaokao reflects China’s deep-rooted belief in merit, opportunity, and hard work.
Whether seen as a gateway to success or a demanding trial, the Gaokao continues to be a defining moment in the lives of millions — a rite of passage into adulthood, higher education, and future possibilities.
With 79 percentile in JEE Main, NITs/IIITs are unlikely, but you can target top private engineering colleges in Karnataka like RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, PES University, and DSCE through COMEDK or management quota.
You have a good chance for branches like ECE, Mechanical, or Civil. For CSE or AI/ML, management quota is the best route. Consider KCET counselling if you're a Karnataka student.
With a 79 percentile in JEE Main, your rank would be around 2.2–2.4 lakhs, which may not fetch top NITs but is still decent for several good private engineering colleges in Karnataka. You can consider colleges like Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, NIE Mysore, JSS Science & Technology University, CMRIT, NMIT, and MSRIT (for non-CSE branches or through spot/management rounds). These colleges often accept students with JEE scores for some quota or have their own counseling/admission process. If you’re flexible with branches and can apply early, you’ll still have a good chance at getting into solid colleges with decent infrastructure and placement support.
With a JEE Main percentile of 79, you may not qualify for top-tier NITs, but you still have a decent chance to get into some good private engineering colleges in Karnataka through COMEDK or management quota. Institutes like Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, RV Institute of Technology, New Horizon College of Engineering, BNMIT, and MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (through higher fee quota) are worth considering. You can also apply for state counselling through KEA (if you're a Karnataka resident) or explore direct admission options if available.
With a JEE Main CRL rank of 1,05,454, you have a good chance of getting CSE, ECE, or core branches in NITs like Goa, Silchar, Meghalaya, Raipur, or Hamirpur through CSAB Special Rounds 2025. You can also get core branches (Mechanical, Civil) in other NITs and GFTIs like BIT Mesra and Assam University. Prioritize CSAB counselling and fill choices wisely to maximize your options.
JEE Main Paper 2B exam is for students who want to take admission in the B.Planning course. B.Planning means Bachelor of Planning. This course is about designing and planning cities, towns, roads, transport, housing, water supply, etc.
The exam has three parts. The first part is Mathematics, which includes Class 11 and 12 level maths questions. The second part is Aptitude, which checks your thinking, logic, shapes, and visual understanding. The third part is Planning-Based Questions, which include general knowledge about city planning and development.
The exam is conducted online (computer-based). It is for 400 marks. Each correct answer gives 4 marks and for each wrong answer, 1 mark is reduced. In the maths section, some questions are numerical (no negative marking for them).
The exam duration is 3 hours. You can take it in English, Hindi, or some regional languages. To appear for the exam, you must have passed 12th standard with Mathematics as a subject.
Based on your score, you can get admission in colleges like NITs, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), and some IIITs. Each college has its own cutoff.
If you are interested in planning, design, and development, this exam is a good choice.
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Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.
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Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.
Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.
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A geologist studies earth procedures, for example, seismic tremors, avalanches, floods, and volcanic eruptions to review land and draw up safe structure plans. When he or she researches earth materials, explores metals and minerals, yet in addition search for oil, petroleum gas, water, and strategies to extricate these.
A career as a Petroleum engineer is concerned with activities related to producing petroleum. These products can be in the form of either crude oil or natural gas. Petroleum engineering also requires the exploration and refinement of petroleum resources. Therefore, a career as a petroleum engineer comes up with oil and gas onshore jobs. There are also desk jobs in the petroleum industry. In layman’s terms, a petroleum engineer is a person who finds the best way to drill and extract oil from oil wells. Individuals who opt for a career as petroleum engineer also tries to find new ways to extract oil in an efficient manner.
A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.
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