I took Gao Kao in 2014, currently in a PhD progamme in the US. I'd say Gaokao is, for the kids at that age, the amongst the most important things, and of course the most stressful exam in their life. Even today, I some times dreamed myself on the exam site and cannot finish the exam on time, and wake up keep telling myself, i passed that stupid exam and I'm in a Phd program. Slightly PTSD, i'd say.
wow this is a very touching documentary. Especially the "sacrifices" part. My family is from China but they immigrated to Germany, so I never took the gaokao. But my parents still sacrifice a lot for me and my siblings, they work a lot so that we could be sent to private school as public schools suck here. The students in this doc are my age and seeing them work so hard makes me want to work hard as well.
Hallo👋, my parents are also from China and they immigrated to Germany. I am glad to be in Germany because my parents set education in first place and i can study here easily without having the stress to pass Gaokao. But you still have to graduate here. Public school doesn't suck at all. You just have to see and learn there are all kinds of students and sometimes it's really funny and humanity. I also don't want my parents to work hard to pay my school, because education in Germany is almost free.
Perhaps the public schools are much better in some places in Germany than in others. I'm in the US, and some public schools are horrible while others are excellent, with all levels in between.
Public school in Germany are pretty good to what I have heard. In Canada, it depends where you live , some are better then others and some have special programs for smart kids, and for kids whos not good academically so they have other options then university. I have friends who went to private schools but end up going to public for high school . Only different is , private schools have higher standards, different curriculum and different teaching style , plus have less students so more one on one teaching. Also teacher have quotas to meet and if their not teaching to the school standard they get fried. Compare to public schools, no matter how stupid your teacher is , very hard to let them go since its unionized.
I took GaoKao in 2019. So lucky I was born a year earlier🤣 and so lucky I got a marvelous result. Although it was the most terrifying and stressful exams I have ever had in my life, I wanted to thank it for making me a stronger person I never thought I could be. Now I m not afraid of exams because mostly they are nothing compared with Gaokao
@@Mortals_oit's ez bro I got into Tokyo university, aced jee got 750 on gaokao, Got into Harvard, while having 3 businesses, and simultaneously preparing for the Olympics.
I’m a rising junior in high school currently studying for the SAT and watching this documentary in the midst of summer really galvanize me to devote myself into studying. Recently, I discovered Gaokao through yt video recommendation and was really intrigued to know more about it. Here I am, watching this on bed of course (feeling a little guilty for not studying but oh well, 40min of relaxation won’t hurt eh?) Honestly, I am astonished by how hard working these students are. It makes me realize how lucky I am and how much opportunities I have. Good luck to all the Gaokao takers out there! You can do it!!🍀
the SAT is so fucking easy compared to the asian/european highschool exams, i literally aced the math section without studying and looking at it for the frist time
@@Nn.65juk Oh I'm also trying to get into the aerospace enginerring program at MIT, are you an international student too? Did you have any special extracurriculars or did you just get in by good grades
22:03 I totally relate to this. Most people like to have people actively supporting them, but to me that’s not the case. Pople cheer me up or wish me good luck, but I just wish they wouldn’t. The good luck wishes just put a lot of pressure on me and it would jinx. I know I sound selfish but I’m just kind of relieved that I’m not the only one.
Love this Documentary. Chinese Families/Parents have always put "education" as the First Priority of their Children. As such much sacrificed will be made. Although I am Chinese now in Malaysia , this believe of " Education First " are in many Chinese families mindset all over the World. Perhaps this is one of the MAIN reason why China can Progress so Fast in Scientific and Technological advancement over the last few decades. Govn with its Planning and Policies. And the Parents for the Encouragement and Support of their Children. Keep it Up !! Mankind Needs this to Survive.
Oh, & don't forget stealing technology from countries like US & Japan re: China's progress! But yes, I agree that Asia places a wonderfully pleasant emphasis on education.
@@AA-ul9qh As Japanese we did pretty much same thing during 60's when the country was like China right now. China will definitely have economic growth over the decades.
@@AA-ul9qhSerious, this "stealing technology" rant is getting stale. Where do you think Japan got its head start in advanced manufacturing from? That's right, "copying" Western products and "stealing" their technology through reverse engineering, and eventually made them better with their own innovation and ground-breaking manufacturing ideas and design like the Toyota lean manufacturing system and mass producing compact transistor radios. The Germans and the Americans themselves did that in the 19th century (they were copying from Britain of course, then the foremost Industrial power in the world).
@@AA-ul9qh Do you mean 5G was stole from US and Japan?? What about Hypersonic missile, did US and Japan ever build it?? Oh please don't tell me that Japanese also invented the Chopstick. Hahahaha...
This generation and the last generation are the most hardworking people on earth. The amount of high standards they are held to and the excess of constant information is insane. Not only intelligence standards but also appearance standards.
If parents have money they send their kids to universities overseas so their kids can get a chance -- thats the primary reason you see so many Chinese students overseas. They can escape the GaoKao, and still get into a good University
@@parallel38 not true at all, cuz some people arrived overseas to get good education, some Chinese universities are not that great and some universities degree don't get recognised overseas I know for fact that my parents degree from China don't get recognised in Australia. Gaokao system itself it's unfair so, stop assuming.
@@parallel38 i'd say a large proportion of em would fail gaokao(like myself lmao), but theres still quite a few who took gaokao and got admitted to western unis with gaokao scores, mad respect to them
I rarely watch any story from China but I have to admit this is one good documentary. Chinese students are hard workers because of too many of them take the exams and only top notch students can make it.
Excellent documentary. Thank you for sharing! I really learned a lot about Chinese culture through this honed in study of the country's gaokao. I was fortunate enough to have been accepted to one of America's top universities and hope to visit one of China's during a study abroad program. As an American Born Chinese, I look forward to experiencing the best of both worlds. Thanks again!
yeah. I lived in canada basically my entire life, but this shit insane tho. I have ADHD and have trouble already with grades. Cant imagine the type of shit these people go to.
@@honkhonk8009 I think I have undiagnosed adhd my friend i barley scraped my most recent exams ( very important) with As and Bs and I’m struggling to concentrate and study all the time when I want to study … it’s an endless viscous cycle. I don’t know how to tell my parents and if they’ll believe me .
I'm Chinese and I am studying for gaokao currently. (I will take the test in 3 years). This video literally felt like a documentary of my own life- But reading experiences of former Chinese students scares me. I'm doing well in all subjects except for English, so I'm trying to watch English videos to understand it better. Please correct me if I make a grammar mistake~
I'm a French student, and I'm currently studying in a master's degree . When I try to compare the two models of education between China and France, it's nearly impossible to find a common way. In France, the high school exam (called "the baccalaureate") has almost 87% of success rate, which is high. However, during the university, the acceptance rate from a year to another is only 40%. The selection is not during the high school, but in the university. However, I feel granted because during my high school, my results were not so good, but France education system gave me a chance to succeed in university. This method in China seems impossible. Furthermore, when I did my semester exchange in Shanghai, I have seen the seriousness of Chinese students in university and their ultimely devotion in their studies; they did a tremendous work in order to succeed and fulfill their dreams. They are so mature, intelligent and humble at the same time. But, when I talked with those students, a question brought me in my head: are they happy? Since their earlier age, they must work, study, with no precise plan about their future. They also lack of a certain creativity and imagination, comparing to others nationality. They are the "elite" of the world, with exceptionals competencies, but at which price? Tomorrow will be 7th June. It will be a new gaokao for 10 millions of Chinese students. They will wake up with a certain amount of stress and pressure, but they will accomplish their dreams and pursue their ambitions. I wish good luck to all these Chinese students, but also in all students in the world, no matter their nationality. We are all in the same boat: we just try to follow our personal dream through the studies. Very interesting documentary, thanks for the sharing.
When someone trains to be a basketball player, he's not thinking about swimming. Same with these students when they prepare for Gaokao, they're not thinking about creativity and imagination, but they certainly could if they wanted to. It has nothing to do with their personal ability or even culture.
@peter pan You are wrong as well, if you would consider the large population of students, (which by the way is one of the highest in the world) and the limited amount of university seats, there needs to be an difficult exam that will filter out the students, and thus making the selection process easier for universities. If the exam were easy and everyone did well, then, the selection process would be virtually impossible to keep up with during the seasonal openings. Furthermore I've met many chinese-born people who took Gaokao and a majority of them are some of the brightest people I've ever met, and definitely do not lack innovation.
@@mrhdebater1607 But every student in China has to take the gaokao at some point, your analogy falls apart because not everybody trains to be a basketball player. The gaokao system crushes creativity and imagination in all Chinese students, but every country needs creative and inventive types to push their society forward. If Chinese students could choose to take the gaokao then there would be less pressure and more options, but the current system is not sustainable.
@@kky-jd3xj facepalm. Do you even know what taking a final exam for entering university is like? It's about demonstrating your academic competency, knowledge and skills over different topics. Its the same system we've been using in the UK, Australia etc. for decades, the difference is that in China this exam is significantly more competitive with 10 million students doing this test at the same time, that's why this test isn't about basketball or anything else, it's strictly about the subjects they've studied, which makes it a fair system. Creativity and innovation happens in universities, that's why China has 6 universities in the top 100 while India has ZERO.
@@farhadnejjad9947 Where am I wrong? You know that high school is competitive, especially in a highly populated country, you can't expect them to think about basketball when they're simply trying to enter university.
MAN this takes me back to my last two years of high school. I developed an eating disorder, anemia, severe depression and anxiety all because of the pressure of that final exam. I don’t know how any of these Gao Kao students do it. I wish them the best and lots of healing.
@@angryblackman857 Some Mongolians are under Chinese’ administration for quite some time. They are bilingual and Chinese citizens. Look up Inner Mongolia autonomous region on a map. Basically, China is forcing Sinicizm on them, nonetheless Inner Mongolians are still tolerating that and preserving Mongolian identity. In order to have a decent living, they also have to study for Gaokao exam.
@@turuus5215 " China is forcing Sinicizm on them, ",,, dude, learn a second language is helpful. just imagine live in your country and dont speak mongolian. many students of ethnicities have 10 ~ 20 points bonus in Gaokao.
So much of importance is given to education in China is very good. In my Country every uneducated person sits in the parliament and rules educated people of the country.
Okay wow this get's recommended to me while the 2nd day of gaokao is going on in China right now. I live outside of china so I don't need to take it but it really seems like something so stressful that I wouldn't want to do anything like it in my life.
As an English teacher in China, I can tell you that I wasn’t allowed to teach proper English because the exam has improper English on it which is ridiculous. I feel really bad for my students because I know I’m not servicing them the best I can - and I’m always afraid this time of the year due to the exam and it’s impacts.
@@L4zyaszi took gaokao in 2019.... That is so... So true. The test has more anxiety because of other people. When i gave the test i just closed my eyes and waited.... Nothing else.
@Lord Word wtf do you even know the amount of pressure and stress they feel? and the thing is that they don't only feel it before and during the test but continue to feel it after as well. stop assuming things you haven't even experienced yourself.
These exams enable meritocracy as much as resources of each student's family permit. However, one can understand why....... any kid might feel overwhelmed by such expectations from family, etc.
I think Gao Kao is so terrifying that I am even terrified to hear it . Seeing students studying so hard at my age actually creates humiliation inside myself.
14:08 So you know those games where you're building a city and have to buy plots of land to extend it, and at a certain point it's blocked off by mountains?
As an American born Chinese person, I am incredibly proud of the young people in China. Every year millions of students are undertaking the Gao Kao exam that will lead them to a brighter future. Unfortunately there are hundreds of thousands student in the states that are illiterate and unable to calculate basic math.... what a difference in culture.
@@yokeshkaliaperumal2012 : because I’m an American. That doesn’t mean that I can’t support the goals for China or any other country. I too have seen and lived through the discrimination, harassment, against American Asians, so how can I support the constant lies being perpetuated that we as a people don’t belong here. My family migrated to California in the 1800’s so if the question of who belongs.... I certainly do. We’ve paid our dues from mining goals, construction of the railway on the west coast, to the development of the Sacramento Delta.
TBH, i got into NYU shanghai and i doubt i would be able to get in if I was a chinese student studying in china. Probably the only reason I got in was because I got decent grades and I live in the US
Jesus, our final examination in Ireland is also very stressful, but nothing like what these kids have to experience. Also, 15 days for results!!! You’d have to wait nearly 3 months for them here.
So GaoKao is similar to College Qualifications test like many countries are doing it also for their last year high school students. In Indonesia it called SBMPTN and i took it also
Its fair, doesnt mean its right. -A singular test thats influenced by other subject areas. You could be amazing at math, but terrible at language arts. The result is the university wont recruit that type of talent. -GaoKao type systems FORCE students to give up all their free time and experiences they would have in school in exchange for a good grade. While this seems good, what really happens is you have people with similar experiences, personality and opinions all coming into positions of power. In a complex adaptive systems like the economy, a lack of diversity in decision making is a ticking time bomb. Thats how recessions and bubbles happen. -Theres a point where accepting students above a specific grade, has diminishing returns in terms of how innovative they are. -Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos didnt make industry giants out of writing an exam and doing everything by the book. They were succesfull because they thought outside the box, and put money towards ideas that no one else was thinking of. Theres a reason why Shenzhen can never be the same as silicon valley.
Exactly! And if you manage to get to the test (as Uber's price rises so much, and you have to count on a bus/subway that doesn't even work), there might be extremely loud music because of some "arriving late party"... It's a bit sad to compare how we don't seem to respect education or the different backgrounds of each student, even in moments like those (so important to those students and their families) :(
@@andrewmontoya8511 the comment asked: why his tears come out when he think of his Gaokao time? My reply is: that’s because you are gratitude for your hard working. And we are Chinese not Japanese
No exam or test defines one's intelligence. For those who fail the gaokao and similar exams take heart. Exams are human's way to compete in society and have nothing to do with your own intellect of which you have in abundance. Exams are unfair and do not test your intuition, judgement and interpersonal skills essential for career success.
So much pressure put onto these kids. Even though the pressure is on from a place of love. The more the parents invest, the more the kids want to hide their feelings so their parents don't worry.
gaokao is way harder tho. only those people who want to become engineern or doctor take that exam, but in china they have no choice but to take it. moreover now we even have an option to take psychology, legal studies and many other subjects in 11th grade.
Well not tryong to compare but Gaokao is harder than jee/neet. Well well hear me out first, jee/neet is only given by science students that too they have an option of giving it or not, completely depends on the students and here in India luckily students are given the chance of choosing their stream right after 10th board examination right? But in China EVERY STUDENT has to give that damn exam for attending a top elite college, like you are literally competing with the WHOLE NATION'S STUDENTS (high school) which makes it 100x more harder plus this exam is mostly conducted for students to literally get good marks , so that they can choose their stream. Crazy right? Jee/neet is also tough but we should remember that they are ONE of the TOUGHEST exams not the toughest
@Basanta Kumar Kar top universities my ass, I've never heard off an IIT and I just checked it's ranking on QS world ranking and the best among them stands at #172
Hmmmm.. 6:55 - she said "MY BROTHER", then next scene the family indeed has 2 Kids. Isn't China's ONE Child (technically - One birth) policy only lifted in 2015? Are they twins?
Yes, they are twins, I think the father just focused more on his daughter because she was a stronger student and wanted to go to a more prestigious university. Still, it was nice to see her hug her brother on the balcony after it was over for both of them.
Leave it to the chinese to think of everything as an insult. For sure chinese university seats arent limited. Thats why thousands of people take a college course in america or canada right?
Gao Kao is the way to discover students with great potential. Its indeed a pure test of merit, not wealth or connection..... @29:45 im surprised the result is negative. here in my country hospitals would report it postive cause positive means profit for them
@@kisaki3074 4 months was when the video aired, the actually test takes place during June 7th so at the time of me posting this there is 3 days until this years gaokao :)
I was also a COVID Time High school students it was really so confusing due to lockdown everything was on online i had felt so much unproductive because of quarantine...by the way now i am 2nd year of college studying computer
At least china cares about the education and support their students and provide them proper recourses to study unlike in India where the JEE examination is equally tough as compared to Gaokao. but the government doesn't even care to provide any resources to students, their responsibility is just to conduct the examination not the preparation , students are not prepared for JEE in high schools . so, the students have to arrange their own resources(like enrolling in a expensive tuition center, online study, study from private tuitions,some try to study from free resources available on the internet etc) . and obviously the Rich ones get better resources and have better chance at succeeding in the exam
Sadly, it is also the most stressful exam. If you fail the exam, you lose your chance in getting into really good colleges. That’s what my cousins from China tells me
Being rich and influential can't buy you a place at universities, but rich and influential families can get the best tutors and extracurricular classes for their children, so the system still benefits the rich more than the poor.
Lucky them, they sit one major exam! In my country we sit 3 major exams which determine what your life will be country wide. We go through that exact pressure 3 times at 13 for primary , at 17 for O levels and 19 for A levels. Imagine sitting Gao Kao at 13 years, to determine which High school you will attend. The very best get the best high schools which gives them an advantage to get in to the best University So at 13 years your life is determined. However after the O levels you sit another set of "Gao Kao" to determine where you will have your A levels. A good number of students switch from the best to 2nd or 3rd best you have to score very highly to remain in the best high schools. There are very few students who manage to move from 2 ND best to the best. Then A levels final exam. Students from the best high schools are mostly competing for what course you will be admitted to at the best University. Not for chances to get to the university. Because 95% get in. Unfortunately in my country the High school you attend determine or influence the "doors" opportunities opened for you in future. So at 13 years your future is pre determined technically. You go for job interviews,and one of the questions asked " which school did you go to? Meaning which high school? And that can determine if you get in or not.
That shit happens when you study a lot... Believe me I have done the same because I thought that the right answer was way to easy to be in an exam like this 🥲
Let’s not even address the corruption relating to the gaokao, it’s quite the interesting topic. The gaokao is different among different provinces and the historically poorer areas often get much harder exams in order to keep them poor and keep them working menial jobs, and there is no exam score equation between the easier and harder exams.
I took Gao Kao in 2014, currently in a PhD progamme in the US. I'd say Gaokao is, for the kids at that age, the amongst the most important things, and of course the most stressful exam in their life. Even today, I some times dreamed myself on the exam site and cannot finish the exam on time, and wake up keep telling myself, i passed that stupid exam and I'm in a Phd program. Slightly PTSD, i'd say.
good job for you brother
If you develop a mental disorder from a test, that’s f-ed up. I can’t imagine if my parents didn’t move out of China. I would be taking it.
I guess you can't buy your way in?
@@Tingling10 umm can u correct ur grammar?
@@juliaxiao5320 There. Edited it. Anymore?
this is what we should watch when we lose motivation to study!
@Dreadnought 1997Can’t argue there
@@clamprages1692 me neither
@@Maussiegamer Looks like we all are thinking the same thing haha
And suicide rate high.
And here I am🤣 searching motivation to prepare for competitive exam in India
wow this is a very touching documentary. Especially the "sacrifices" part. My family is from China but they immigrated to Germany, so I never took the gaokao. But my parents still sacrifice a lot for me and my siblings, they work a lot so that we could be sent to private school as public schools suck here. The students in this doc are my age and seeing them work so hard makes me want to work hard as well.
Hallo👋, my parents are also from China and they immigrated to Germany. I am glad to be in Germany because my parents set education in first place and i can study here easily without having the stress to pass Gaokao. But you still have to graduate here. Public school doesn't suck at all. You just have to see and learn there are all kinds of students and sometimes it's really funny and humanity. I also don't want my parents to work hard to pay my school, because education in Germany is almost free.
Perhaps the public schools are much better in some places in Germany than in others. I'm in the US, and some public schools are horrible while others are excellent, with all levels in between.
You are a lyer.
You did not live in germany.
Quit shitting on public schools. Both public and private schools are just schools that offer the same education
Public school in Germany are pretty good to what I have heard. In Canada, it depends where you live , some are better then others and some have special programs for smart kids, and for kids whos not good academically so they have other options then university.
I have friends who went to private schools but end up going to public for high school . Only different is , private schools have higher standards, different curriculum and different teaching style , plus have less students so more one on one teaching. Also teacher have quotas to meet and if their not teaching to the school standard they get fried. Compare to public schools, no matter how stupid your teacher is , very hard to let them go since its unionized.
“I will become a free man from now on” - that is powerful
I took GaoKao in 2019. So lucky I was born a year earlier🤣 and so lucky I got a marvelous result. Although it was the most terrifying and stressful exams I have ever had in my life, I wanted to thank it for making me a stronger person I never thought I could be. Now I m not afraid of exams because mostly they are nothing compared with Gaokao
Congrats! Don't put all the credit on luck, you must've worked really hard for your result
Japanese law bar exam....
JEE advanced. I took gaokao in 2019 and got 720....
And in jee i was dead....
@@Mortals_oit's ez bro I got into Tokyo university, aced jee got 750 on gaokao,
Got into Harvard, while having 3 businesses, and simultaneously preparing for the Olympics.
This pressure is so intense, my heart rate intensify each moment.... ....
I’m a rising junior in high school currently studying for the SAT and watching this documentary in the midst of summer really galvanize me to devote myself into studying. Recently, I discovered Gaokao through yt video recommendation and was really intrigued to know more about it. Here I am, watching this on bed of course (feeling a little guilty for not studying but oh well, 40min of relaxation won’t hurt eh?) Honestly, I am astonished by how hard working these students are. It makes me realize how lucky I am and how much opportunities I have. Good luck to all the Gaokao takers out there! You can do it!!🍀
the SAT is so fucking easy compared to the asian/european highschool exams, i literally aced the math section without studying and looking at it for the frist time
@@chiefsosaya7869 yes. the SAT is very easy.
i got 760 in evidence based and 800 in math.
now i am studyng aerospace engineering at MIT.
@@Nn.65juk Oh I'm also trying to get into the aerospace enginerring program at MIT, are you an international student too? Did you have any special extracurriculars or did you just get in by good grades
These teenagers are winners with such supportive and loving families.
22:03 I totally relate to this. Most people like to have people actively supporting them, but to me that’s not the case. Pople cheer me up or wish me good luck, but I just wish they wouldn’t. The good luck wishes just put a lot of pressure on me and it would jinx. I know I sound selfish but I’m just kind of relieved that I’m not the only one.
Love this Documentary. Chinese Families/Parents have always put "education" as the First Priority of their Children. As such much sacrificed will be made. Although I am Chinese now in Malaysia , this believe of " Education First " are in many Chinese families mindset all over the World. Perhaps this is one of the MAIN reason why China can Progress so Fast in Scientific and Technological advancement over the last few decades. Govn with its Planning and Policies. And the Parents for the Encouragement and Support of their Children. Keep it Up !! Mankind Needs this to Survive.
Oh, & don't forget stealing technology from countries like US & Japan re: China's progress! But yes, I agree that Asia places a wonderfully pleasant emphasis on education.
@@AA-ul9qh these countries shift manufacturing to china and make it right under their noses and then act surprised when china is able to replicate it
@@AA-ul9qh As Japanese we did pretty much same thing during 60's when the country was like China right now. China will definitely have economic growth over the decades.
@@AA-ul9qhSerious, this "stealing technology" rant is getting stale. Where do you think Japan got its head start in advanced manufacturing from? That's right, "copying" Western products and "stealing" their technology through reverse engineering, and eventually made them better with their own innovation and ground-breaking manufacturing ideas and design like the Toyota lean manufacturing system and mass producing compact transistor radios. The Germans and the Americans themselves did that in the 19th century (they were copying from Britain of course, then the foremost Industrial power in the world).
@@AA-ul9qh
Do you mean 5G was stole from US and Japan??
What about Hypersonic missile, did US and Japan ever build it??
Oh please don't tell me that Japanese also invented the Chopstick. Hahahaha...
Watching this makes me appreciate the opportunity I have now. I'm a student studying geophysics. This has motivated me too to work hard.
One of the best documentaries I've ever watched. Congratulations to all the people involved in the making of the Gakao 2020.
This generation and the last generation are the most hardworking people on earth. The amount of high standards they are held to and the excess of constant information is insane. Not only intelligence standards but also appearance standards.
as rough and brutal it may seems, i admire their discipline and determination
If parents have money they send their kids to universities overseas so their kids can get a chance -- thats the primary reason you see so many Chinese students overseas. They can escape the GaoKao, and still get into a good University
all the chinese kids overeseas are the 1s that failed the gaokao lol
@@parallel38 not true at all, cuz some people arrived overseas to get good education, some Chinese universities are not that great and some universities degree don't get recognised overseas I know for fact that my parents degree from China don't get recognised in Australia. Gaokao system itself it's unfair so, stop assuming.
@@Mary-fp3fc you comment proves my point lol
@@parallel38 i'd say a large proportion of em would fail gaokao(like myself lmao), but theres still quite a few who took gaokao and got admitted to western unis with gaokao scores, mad respect to them
@@小周-g6v If you would fail, say that, try not to represent "a large proportion" of us
I rarely watch any story from China but I have to admit this is one good documentary. Chinese students are hard workers because of too many of them take the exams and only top notch students can make it.
Excellent documentary. Thank you for sharing! I really learned a lot about Chinese culture through this honed in study of the country's gaokao. I was fortunate enough to have been accepted to one of America's top universities and hope to visit one of China's during a study abroad program. As an American Born Chinese, I look forward to experiencing the best of both worlds. Thanks again!
You were spared the GaoKao
yeah. I lived in canada basically my entire life, but this shit insane tho.
I have ADHD and have trouble already with grades. Cant imagine the type of shit these people go to.
@@honkhonk8009 I think I have undiagnosed adhd my friend i barley scraped my most recent exams ( very important) with As and Bs and I’m struggling to concentrate and study all the time when I want to study … it’s an endless viscous cycle. I don’t know how to tell my parents and if they’ll believe me .
which school
@@griot1722 UChicago :)
Being Indian students, we understand their pain.
Yes ofcourse
Yaa
@@shalinichaudhary2832 y
Yeah that's right
@@JustinLiu-pt7nl cuz uk we too have entrance examinations like 'Gao Kao' nd its tiresome as well.
I'm Chinese and I am studying for gaokao currently. (I will take the test in 3 years). This video literally felt like a documentary of my own life-
But reading experiences of former Chinese students scares me. I'm doing well in all subjects except for English, so I'm trying to watch English videos to understand it better. Please correct me if I make a grammar mistake~
Your English is great :D, the only mistake was that it should be "scares", not "scare".
Great idea! And reading books in English is also a good idea.
@@internetstranger3686 Thank you for telling me!
@@belleomalley1022 Thanks for the idea! I'll try to read more English books
@@internetstranger3686 I believe it should be "- scares". Her act of "reading" scares, or better "has scared" her.
I'm a French student, and I'm currently studying in a master's degree . When I try to compare the two models of education between China and France, it's nearly impossible to find a common way.
In France, the high school exam (called "the baccalaureate") has almost 87% of success rate, which is high. However, during the university, the acceptance rate from a year to another is only 40%. The selection is not during the high school, but in the university. However, I feel granted because during my high school, my results were not so good, but France education system gave me a chance to succeed in university. This method in China seems impossible.
Furthermore, when I did my semester exchange in Shanghai, I have seen the seriousness of Chinese students in university and their ultimely devotion in their studies; they did a tremendous work in order to succeed and fulfill their dreams. They are so mature, intelligent and humble at the same time. But, when I talked with those students, a question brought me in my head: are they happy?
Since their earlier age, they must work, study, with no precise plan about their future. They also lack of a certain creativity and imagination, comparing to others nationality. They are the "elite" of the world, with exceptionals competencies, but at which price?
Tomorrow will be 7th June. It will be a new gaokao for 10 millions of Chinese students. They will wake up with a certain amount of stress and pressure, but they will accomplish their dreams and pursue their ambitions.
I wish good luck to all these Chinese students, but also in all students in the world, no matter their nationality. We are all in the same boat: we just try to follow our personal dream through the studies.
Very interesting documentary, thanks for the sharing.
When someone trains to be a basketball player, he's not thinking about swimming. Same with these students when they prepare for Gaokao, they're not thinking about creativity and imagination, but they certainly could if they wanted to. It has nothing to do with their personal ability or even culture.
@peter pan You are wrong as well, if you would consider the large population of students, (which by the way is one of the highest in the world) and the limited amount of university seats, there needs to be an difficult exam that will filter out the students, and thus making the selection process easier for universities. If the exam were easy and everyone did well, then, the selection process would be virtually impossible to keep up with during the seasonal openings. Furthermore I've met many chinese-born people who took Gaokao and a majority of them are some of the brightest people I've ever met, and definitely do not lack innovation.
@@mrhdebater1607 But every student in China has to take the gaokao at some point, your analogy falls apart because not everybody trains to be a basketball player. The gaokao system crushes creativity and imagination in all Chinese students, but every country needs creative and inventive types to push their society forward. If Chinese students could choose to take the gaokao then there would be less pressure and more options, but the current system is not sustainable.
@@kky-jd3xj facepalm. Do you even know what taking a final exam for entering university is like? It's about demonstrating your academic competency, knowledge and skills over different topics. Its the same system we've been using in the UK, Australia etc. for decades, the difference is that in China this exam is significantly more competitive with 10 million students doing this test at the same time, that's why this test isn't about basketball or anything else, it's strictly about the subjects they've studied, which makes it a fair system. Creativity and innovation happens in universities, that's why China has 6 universities in the top 100 while India has ZERO.
@@farhadnejjad9947 Where am I wrong? You know that high school is competitive, especially in a highly populated country, you can't expect them to think about basketball when they're simply trying to enter university.
MAN this takes me back to my last two years of high school. I developed an eating disorder, anemia, severe depression and anxiety all because of the pressure of that final exam. I don’t know how any of these Gao Kao students do it. I wish them the best and lots of healing.
Dont you feel all that exam is pointless as it caused you so much harm? I do .
@@BlackCatedialogue i also feel
I’m Mongolian and can tell her accent was Inner Mongolian. 青春
I don't understand why mongolian do chinese exam ; mongolia is part of china ???
@@angryblackman857 Some Mongolians are under Chinese’ administration for quite some time. They are bilingual and Chinese citizens. Look up Inner Mongolia autonomous region on a map. Basically, China is forcing Sinicizm on them, nonetheless Inner Mongolians are still tolerating that and preserving Mongolian identity. In order to have a decent living, they also have to study for Gaokao exam.
@@turuus5215 so mongolia as a country is under china rule ??
@@angryblackman857 Sadly, yes. Economically Mongolian ethnicity is heavily dependent on Han Chinese.
@@turuus5215 " China is forcing Sinicizm on them, ",,, dude, learn a second language is helpful. just imagine live in your country and dont speak mongolian. many students of ethnicities have 10 ~ 20 points bonus in Gaokao.
So much of importance is given to education in China is very good. In my Country every uneducated person sits in the parliament and rules educated people of the country.
What country do you live in?
@@siewbengwee4530 either pakistan, india or sri lanka. my friend was sri lankan and this dude had a similar name.
Although it seems very stressing
I still like this method because it is meritocratic and fair . Everyone has a chance.
Except for people who can't study due to unfair mental conditions. You know, probably VERY hard for kids with ADHD to do well on the Gaokao.
@@katakana1 Everyone has to do violence to oneself to succeed. For extreme cases of ADHD, methylphenidate exists and works.
@@katakana1 and for people who can't afford the extra tutoring.
Not everyone can repeat if they fail GaoKao. I think cuz they don't have other passways like some countries do for universities.
Do they need to pay the fees for attending the university though?
Wow, Ordos grasslands literally looks like a painting. Magnificent
New favourite quote: "Those who govern should do so based on merit" - Confucius
Okay wow this get's recommended to me while the 2nd day of gaokao is going on in China right now. I live outside of china so I don't need to take it but it really seems like something so stressful that I wouldn't want to do anything like it in my life.
As an English teacher in China, I can tell you that I wasn’t allowed to teach proper English because the exam has improper English on it which is ridiculous. I feel really bad for my students because I know I’m not servicing them the best I can - and I’m always afraid this time of the year due to the exam and it’s impacts.
Interested in an example of proper vs. improper English.
@@ALWH1314 proper english: i like ice cream
improper english: wo xihuan bing chiling
@@L4zyaszi took gaokao in 2019....
That is so... So true. The test has more anxiety because of other people. When i gave the test i just closed my eyes and waited.... Nothing else.
teach english.. "it's impacts" .. okay then..
@@mahavakyas002 maybe autocorrect or typo
26:00
Off note, but she has a goregeous house! ❤
I went to the US to skip that test in 2013. It is so fking stressful that I can't even image about it.
@Lord Word stfu
@Lord Word I don't feel any stress right now, but it is too heavy for a 16 years old teen.
@Lord Word wtf do you even know the amount of pressure and stress they feel?
and the thing is that they don't only feel it before and during the test but continue to feel it after as well. stop assuming things you haven't even experienced yourself.
LOL BRUH…
@Lord Word Your saying his life is worth whatever grade he gets on the exam? Are you for real?
Glad as hell i dont have to take it. Holy shit man.
Biggest cliffhanger ever, i thought we were gonna see their results 😆
As a Filipino, I feel their pressure when it comes CATs.
That's nothing compared to them
@@noway3788 exactly 💯
These exams enable meritocracy as much as resources of each student's family permit.
However, one can understand why....... any kid might feel overwhelmed by such expectations from family, etc.
I think Gao Kao is so terrifying that I am even terrified to hear it .
Seeing students studying so hard at my age actually creates humiliation inside myself.
then what you experiencing is "内卷“-social involution--is a common phenomenon now is popularized in Chinese media.
14:08 So you know those games where you're building a city and have to buy plots of land to extend it, and at a certain point it's blocked off by mountains?
To all those having exams all the best guys👍👍👍
I wish i knew the outcome for these students 😭
As an American born Chinese person, I am incredibly proud of the young people in China. Every year millions of students are undertaking the Gao Kao exam that will lead them to a brighter future. Unfortunately there are hundreds of thousands student in the states that are illiterate and unable to calculate basic math.... what a difference in culture.
@СЕРГЕЙ ВОГДАНОБ : a slow walk to hell.
No offense but why do you reside in the US though?
@@yokeshkaliaperumal2012 : because I’m an American. That doesn’t mean that I can’t support the goals for China or any other country. I too have seen and lived through the discrimination, harassment, against American Asians, so how can I support the constant lies being perpetuated that we as a people don’t belong here. My family migrated to California in the 1800’s so if the question of who belongs.... I certainly do. We’ve paid our dues from mining goals, construction of the railway on the west coast, to the development of the Sacramento Delta.
@@priscillaferguson267 Welcome, another woke asian.
@@yokeshkaliaperumal2012 ...if we all do how you think, we all should still be in Africa.
I just took my medical entrance examinations , but it isn't much hard as Gaokao but it's very competitive 😭. I hope I succeed
Did you make it?
@@raider968 did yu
Being nepali student I felt their pain😭
there's absolutely no way I could handle this kind of stress....I'd be dead
Yeah same, and your future being based on that exam sounds ridiculous
TBH, i got into NYU shanghai and i doubt i would be able to get in if I was a chinese student studying in china. Probably the only reason I got in was because I got decent grades and I live in the US
i want to go there just so I can go to the Shanghai Campus. What SAT or ACT score did you have
@@fiona7651 i got a 1300 which was quite low. But my essay and the fact that my brother is inside got me
Andy Chen Just out of curiosity, what was your essay about
@@fiona7651 the hardship i went through in high school and childhood
@@andychen3350 tbh, im not gonna be proud if i got in just bec of my relatives :/
This made me appreciate China so much.
Un gran video me encanto!!!!!!. Que buen contenido de alta calidad.
incredible documentary!
The husband is such a sweetheart T_T
I wish they had told us how the students did on the exam. Did they all pass? Will they be able to go to the university?
I wanted to know the same thing...Like the guy who got sick and wanted to get into Fudan uni did he get in ?
Jesus, our final examination in Ireland is also very stressful, but nothing like what these kids have to experience. Also, 15 days for results!!! You’d have to wait nearly 3 months for them here.
So GaoKao is similar to College Qualifications test like many countries are doing it also for their last year high school students. In Indonesia it called SBMPTN and i took it also
Gaokao is a fair-play game for all students, especially for the poor but smart ones.
It's not completely fair. The rich can afford to pay for tutors and classes. The poor cannot.
@@megahkfre life ain’t fair
@@sunsetpeach141 Wasn't saying it was. Just telling Sonic Wu how it is.
Its fair, doesnt mean its right.
-A singular test thats influenced by other subject areas. You could be amazing at math, but terrible at language arts. The result is the university wont recruit that type of talent.
-GaoKao type systems FORCE students to give up all their free time and experiences they would have in school in exchange for a good grade.
While this seems good, what really happens is you have people with similar experiences, personality and opinions all coming into positions of power.
In a complex adaptive systems like the economy, a lack of diversity in decision making is a ticking time bomb. Thats how recessions and bubbles happen.
-Theres a point where accepting students above a specific grade, has diminishing returns in terms of how innovative they are.
-Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos didnt make industry giants out of writing an exam and doing everything by the book. They were succesfull because they thought outside the box, and put money towards ideas that no one else was thinking of. Theres a reason why Shenzhen can never be the same as silicon valley.
Meanwhile in Brazil people make fun of you arriving late to the exam(ENEM) and you become a meme on the internet.
🤣🤣🤣 different mentalities but we're getting there.
Exactly!
And if you manage to get to the test (as Uber's price rises so much, and you have to count on a bus/subway that doesn't even work), there might be extremely loud music because of some "arriving late party"...
It's a bit sad to compare how we don't seem to respect education or the different backgrounds of each student, even in moments like those (so important to those students and their families) :(
"I always look distorted in his camera"
"that's exactly how you look" hahaha
一个重视孩子，以重视教育的国家是有希望的
This feels like a trailer for a thriller movie
They are so supportive love to watch it ❤️.
Well, theirs is not an individualist culture, thus successful examines would go on to labor on behalf of the family & the greater society.
@@AA-ul9qh ya
People may say that these are draconian measures imposed on children but all I see is true love from the parents perspective.
I cant do well in that huge pressure. Im the type who growth when having fun or relax situation, not stressing like that.
看着想起自己那个时候忽然很想哭是咋回事～～～
那是感激自己曾经奋斗过的感动
Can u translate, I don’t speak Japanese
@@andrewmontoya8511 the comment asked: why his tears come out when he think of his Gaokao time? My reply is: that’s because you are gratitude for your hard working. And we are Chinese not Japanese
@@andrewmontoya8511 that’s not Japanese 💀
No exam or test defines one's intelligence. For those who fail the gaokao and similar exams take heart. Exams are human's way to compete in society and have nothing to do with your own intellect of which you have in abundance. Exams are unfair and do not test your intuition, judgement and interpersonal skills essential for career success.
So much pressure put onto these kids. Even though the pressure is on from a place of love. The more the parents invest, the more the kids want to hide their feelings so their parents don't worry.
Just like ITT Jee in india and neet for engineering and medical college respectively
IIT*
gaokao is way harder tho. only those people who want to become engineern or doctor take that exam, but in china they have no choice but to take it. moreover now we even have an option to take psychology, legal studies and many other subjects in 11th grade.
@Basanta Kumar Kar uhm okay but still ha, i'm a psychology student not a science student and and gao kao is way harder 😩
Well not tryong to compare but Gaokao is harder than jee/neet. Well well hear me out first, jee/neet is only given by science students that too they have an option of giving it or not, completely depends on the students and here in India luckily students are given the chance of choosing their stream right after 10th board examination right? But in China EVERY STUDENT has to give that damn exam for attending a top elite college, like you are literally competing with the WHOLE NATION'S STUDENTS (high school) which makes it 100x more harder plus this exam is mostly conducted for students to literally get good marks , so that they can choose their stream. Crazy right?
Jee/neet is also tough but we should remember that they are ONE of the TOUGHEST exams not the toughest
@Basanta Kumar Kar top universities my ass, I've never heard off an IIT and I just checked it's ranking on QS world ranking and the best among them stands at #172
Hmmmm.. 6:55 - she said "MY BROTHER", then next scene the family indeed has 2 Kids. Isn't China's ONE Child (technically - One birth) policy only lifted in 2015? Are they twins?
U still can have several kids, u just need to pay fine
Yes, they are twins, I think the father just focused more on his daughter because she was a stronger student and wanted to go to a more prestigious university. Still, it was nice to see her hug her brother on the balcony after it was over for both of them.
@Yuyang Zhang You have to have good reason, and also have to pay a penalty or special fees
If the university seats are limited in China how it that China is still giving thousands of seats for foreign students?
I believe that they already have prepared a certain amount of seats to the foreigners.
Foreign students are admitted under a separate quota
It's like 60y ago asking, China still has beggars, why developing A bomb? For anything, u can't just be "linear".
Leave it to the chinese to think of everything as an insult.
For sure chinese university seats arent limited. Thats why thousands of people take a college course in america or canada right?
Gao Kao is the way to discover students with great potential. Its indeed a pure test of merit, not wealth or connection..... @29:45 im surprised the result is negative. here in my country hospitals would report it postive cause positive means profit for them
Subscribed!
Didnt china have the one child policy? How do these kids have siblings (I know it was repealed but the siblings look older than that)
what about their result???
considering their unwillingness to go on camera again, prob not good
@@KevinOus the last guy who kinda speak in English, seems like he did well. Said he was a free man. Lol...
It need 15 days for the result to come out 🤦 did you guys even watch the video
@@xiaomose7495 that was 4 months ago
@@kisaki3074 4 months was when the video aired, the actually test takes place during June 7th so at the time of me posting this there is 3 days until this years gaokao :)
The girl wearing the blue raincoat said that it did not cover her head - is she not aware that there is a hood that she didn't put on?
I was also a COVID Time High school students it was really so confusing due to lockdown everything was on online i had felt so much unproductive because of quarantine...by the way now i am 2nd year of college studying computer
I would’ve like to know how they did
Gaokao is the fairest Exam in China. Appreicated!
At least china cares about the education and support their students and provide them proper recourses to study unlike in India where the JEE examination is equally tough as compared to Gaokao. but the government doesn't even care to provide any resources to students, their responsibility is just to conduct the examination not the preparation , students are not prepared for JEE in high schools . so, the students have to arrange their own resources(like enrolling in a expensive tuition center, online study, study from private tuitions,some try to study from free resources available on the internet etc) . and obviously the Rich ones get better resources and have better chance at succeeding in the exam
Because gakao is different than jee stop complaining
the shaky cam, the blur filter, the pollution filter, ... western media can you stop doing this.
The answer is how many percentages of them passed?
Gaokao is the fairest system into the best universities, being rich and influential can’t buy you a place at these universities.
Sadly, it is also the most stressful exam. If you fail the exam, you lose your chance in getting into really good colleges. That’s what my cousins from China tells me
Being rich and influential can't buy you a place at universities, but rich and influential families can get the best tutors and extracurricular classes for their children, so the system still benefits the rich more than the poor.
Technically no because rich people can afford better tutors
not gonna lie isn’t this the same exact video from National Geography?
Su Yan’s language is so… Weird to me. It sounds like multiple languages mushed together, but it sounds mostly Russian to me.
it's like turkish, german, chinese and russian
She is Mongolian nationality,, there re roughly 56 ethnicities in China. Actually, even to Han people, there are so many dialects. China is vast.
Looks Like Exams In Asia Tough I Think And Gaokao Surely Tough exam in Asia,glad to be European 😳
年轻真好。
Ahhh- 23 mins in and I’m reminded of the “drip” 😂
In China they have 高考 in Thailand we have TCAS
Lucky them, they sit one major exam! In my country we sit 3 major exams which determine what your life will be country wide. We go through that exact pressure 3 times at 13 for primary , at 17 for O levels and 19 for A levels. Imagine sitting Gao Kao at 13 years, to determine which High school you will attend. The very best get the best high schools which gives them an advantage to get in to the best University
So at 13 years your life is determined.
However after the O levels you sit another set of "Gao Kao" to determine where you will have your A levels.
A good number of students switch from the best to 2nd or 3rd best you have to score very highly to remain in the best high schools.
There are very few students who manage to move from 2 ND best to the best. Then A levels final exam.
Students from the best high schools are mostly competing for what course you will be admitted to at the best University. Not for chances to get to the university. Because 95% get in.
Unfortunately in my country the High school you attend determine or influence the "doors" opportunities opened for you in future.
So at 13 years your future is pre determined technically.
You go for job interviews,and one of the questions asked " which school did you go to? Meaning which high school?
And that can determine if you get in or not.
Where tf do you live
It's not one, it's 6, lasting 3days
Are you talking about the UK? I don't think the exam difficulty levels are even on the same level as the gaokao, nevermind comparable (in the UK).
12:55 *accidentally* chosing wrong answer bruh what
That shit happens when you study a lot... Believe me I have done the same because I thought that the right answer was way to easy to be in an exam like this 🥲
I cant believe that they STILL took the Gaokao during covid. GCSE, IB, A-level, SAT were ALL CANCELLED bcoz of pandemic
meanwhile im getting rekt by any math excersise
How can you be that smart when you don't get enough sleep?
Let’s not even address the corruption relating to the gaokao, it’s quite the interesting topic. The gaokao is different among different provinces and the historically poorer areas often get much harder exams in order to keep them poor and keep them working menial jobs, and there is no exam score equation between the easier and harder exams.
That’s crazy
34:51 *swoosh
nice documentary
What for? Let's enjoy life collaboratively rather than in a competitive way!
It’s different in different countries though
Most of the innovations in the world were invented by competition, not by just having fun
You can't have that...... You know you even have to compete your siblings sometimes
How I wish life actually works that way
Unrelated, but Xu Yunchi is so handsome :)
I wish I was born in China . But , god doesn't help me there.. I want to taste what actually hardwork is
What is stopping you from working hard now
@@latecraft bad educational environment. Disturbances . No supports
you won’t like it🤣
@@rl3969 😂lol it was just a wish
You still are able to experience hardship, better your company, family, community?
Wth.. they didn't tell the score
wow...😍
Even I have studied like mads during my school and college days :(
这对我来说真的很紧张
it would be interesting to know who paid for this film. There is a reluctance to name The Cultural revolution as the reason why gaokao was suspended.
Fudan is my favorite university
And I thought ISC was stressing me out xD
Okay holy crap this narrator sounds so much like Ridddle