Beijing, June 9 – As the 2025 National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) enters its third day, most Chinese provinces will conclude the exam today. Regions such as Hebei, Shanxi, Jilin, and Jiangsu will wrap up all test sessions on June 9, while cities and provinces like Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, and Shandong will conclude on June 10.
Record-High Participation and Enhanced Monitoring
According to the Ministry of Education, 13.35 million students registered for the 2025 Gaokao, with 7,899 test centers, 355,000 exam rooms, 21,000 backup rooms, and 1.05 million invigilators nationwide. For the first time, 100% of exam rooms are equipped with real-time intelligent monitoring systems, ensuring standardized and transparent administration.
Twenty-nine provinces have adopted the new Gaokao reform model, while Tibet and Xinjiang retain the traditional “Chinese, Math, English + Liberal Arts/Science Comprehensive” structure. The new reform includes two models:
“3+3” model (used in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hainan): Students take three core subjects (Chinese, Math, English) plus three elective subjects chosen from politics, history, geography, physics, chemistry, and biology
“3+1+2” model (used in 23 provinces): Three core subjects plus one mandatory subject (physics or history) and two elective subjects from the remaining four disciplines.
Provinces under the new models conclude exams on June 9 or 10 based on elective schedules. For example, Hebei, Shanxi, and Jilin finish today, while Beijing and Zhejiang end tomorrow.
Upcoming Score Release and Volunteering Guidance
Following past practices, most provinces will release Gaokao scores between June 23 and 25. Confirmed dates include Hunan, Hubei, Jilin, and Jiangxi, which expect to announce results around June 25.
Volunteering Periods and Support
Post-score release, college volunteering becomes the top priority. Key timelines include:
- Beijing: First-round volunteering from June 27 to July 1
- Jiangsu: Phase I volunteering from June 28 to July 2
The Ministry of Education will organize extensive online and offline counseling activities, utilizing short videos, livestreams, and other student-friendly formats to provide policy interpretations and consultation services. For instance:
Shandong will hold a mock volunteering drill from June 13 to 16.
Shaanxi, implementing the new Gaokao for the first time, will host the 2025 National Universities Recruitment and Volunteering Consultation Fair in Xi’an from June 25 to 26, inviting institutions nationwide for face-to-face guidance.
Warnings Against “High-Priced Counseling” Scams
Every year, fraudulent actors target anxious students and parents. The Ministry of Education and provincial authorities have issued repeated warnings against “premium volunteering guidance” traps, highlighting common scams
False “internal data” claims: Unofficial data sources often mislead applicants.
Unqualified “experts”: Many self-proclaimed “college planning specialists” lack credentials, relying on scripted sales pitches.
Fearmongering and upselling: Agencies exaggerate employment risks of certain majors to promote costly services.
Authorities urge candidates to verify information through official channels and avoid high-fee counseling services, emphasizing vigilance against fraud.
As the Gaokao transitions from testing to post-exam phases, stakeholders are reminded to prioritize official guidance, leverage free consultation resources, and remain cautious of predatory practices. The coming weeks will see intense preparation for university admissions, with a national focus on fair access and informed decision-making.
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