EVALUATION
Senior High School Examination (Huikao)
Considered to be between GCSE and GCE A Level standard. Those students with high grades may be considered for admission to access or foundation level programmes.
Vocational Secondary School Diploma (Zhixiao)
Considered to be comparable to BTEC First Diploma/NVQ level 2.
University Entrance Examination (Gaokao)
Considered to be between GCSE and GCE A Level standard. It is generally considered more advanced than the Senior High School Examination. Those students with high grades may be considered for admission to access or foundation level programmes.
GRADING SYSTEM
Senior High School Examination Nine subjects are taken and graded A – D (with A being the highest).
A 100 – 80%
B 79 – 70
C 69 – 60
D Fail
University Entrance Examination
Five core subjects with each paper being marked out of a possible 150, giving a total mark of 750.
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Primary and secondary education in China comprises three stages: six years of primary school, three years of junior middle school, and three years of senior middle school. Primary and junior middle school education is compulsory, and commences at age six. To progress from junior middle school, students must pass locally organised entrance examinations. Results of these entrance examinations are used to stream students into a general academic route or a technical and vocational route.
The technical and vocational schools offer the Vocational Secondary School Diploma which includes general knowledge, basic technology and a subject specialism. Senior secondary schools offer the Senior High School Examination, which is usually taken in five or six subjects. As it is taken across the country, but organised on a provincial basis, curricula and standards may vary.
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Graduation from Senior Secondary School is a prerequisite for sitting the University Entrance Examination, the upper age limit for which is 25 years. The University Entrance Examination format can vary between provinces, but is taken nationwide. There are five core subjects, of which Chinese, mathematics and politics are compulsory. Competition for university places is high, and a mark of 500-550, depending on the provincial arrangements, out of a possible 750 is required for entry into university.
HE is structured into four-year Bachelor programmes (xueshi), three-year Masters programmes (shoshi) and three-year Doctorates (boshi).
