China’s College Entrance Exam Makes the ACT Look Weak
It's early June, a time when many students are struggling to keep their brains on for the few short weeks between the end of school and the ACT offered in June. On one hand, many students find prepping for the June tests easy; after all, they've got all the time in the world to do so. On the other hand, it means doing homework in June. Nobody likes doing homework in June.
So if you are getting ready to take the ACT this weekend, here's some solace. At least you don't live in China.
As the The Guardian documents, China's primary college admissions test, the gaokao, is probably the most brutal known to man. Testing over 10 million students, the test determines who will take the 6 million spots available in China's college system. As the Guardian puts it:
In today's increasingly market-oriented China, where high school and university are now the norm for urban populations, the results posted online at the end of the month will decide not only who will go on to further education but can also determine the future of the students and their families.
‘The gaokao now sets up your future life and your future social status,' said Professor Lao Kaisheng, a top education specialist. ‘If you are poor, it can make you rich. If you are rich, it can make you poor. The exams are one of the very few ways to change your life in modern China. They are critical to social mobility.'
So no matter how much you hate the ACT, remember that it has a few advantages Chinese students would kill to have:
- The ACT is mostly multiple choice.
- You can take it as many times as you would like.
- It's only three hours long.
- You don't have to compete with 10 million kids for 6 million spots.
Keep those in mind as you prepare this coming week. The more excited you are to rock the test, the better you will do. And if you ever feel sorry for yourself, remember that there are 10 million Chinese kids who would love to switch places with you on test day! Good luck!