College entrance exam gains recognition in more countries, but it lags behind other tests
Up to 1,000 universities in 14 popular overseas destinations for Chinese applicants now accept gaokao test scores as admission criteria, according to a report released on Monday by an online portal for students.
The findings reflect increasing overseas recognition for China's national college entrance examination, though it still lags behind other exams.

London-based MyOffer, which helps international students with university placement, overseas internships and career development, released the study as this year's gaokao scores were announced in some parts of China.

Earlier reports claimed that gaokao results were accepted in 20 countries and regions, but MyOffer's study contains by far the most detailed findings available.

Italy and France, according to MyOffer, are the most welcoming destinations. All of France's more than 180 universities and colleges accept gaokao scores.

Chinese applicants may apply for 206 Italian institutions through bilateral education arrangements operated by the Marco Polo Project and Turandot Program if their scores meet admission requirements.

Australia, where more than 30 universities accept gaokao scores for admission, and Spain, with more than 50, are both considered favorable destinations.

Chinese applicants must submit their scores to Singapore's 10 public-fund universities and polytechnics.

In Germany, which has more than 380 officially recognized universities, "most schools require gaokao scores", according to MyOffer.

However, Chinese students whose gaokao scores meet the admission requirements still need to study in a university at home for one to three semesters before enrolling for bachelor's degree courses in Germany.

Nine Canadian universities, including the top-rated University of British Columbia, accept gaokao test scores, although those who score below 75 percent of the maximum mark of 750 are unlikely to be considered.

Recognition of gaokao scores is still quite low in the United States, where they are accepted by only four universities; in South Korea, by just three; and New Zealand, by two.

East London University is currently one of the few UK institutions to accept the scores, though dozens of university foundation courses require them for admission.

Applicants from the Chinese mainland will find that their test scores are more welcome in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

Up to 135 universities in Taiwan admitted mainland students with gaokao scores last year, while all eight universities in Hong Kong and six in Macao accept the scores.

MyOffer CEO Philip Hao said China's national exam "still has a long way to go compared to Advanced Placement examinations in North America and A-levels in the UK".

AP results are accepted by more than 3,600 universities in more than 40 countries, while A-level results are recognized by more than 11,000 universities in 160 countries, he said.

"Overseas universities evaluate applicants' overall performance with a comprehensive approach, while gaokao test scores play a decisive role for students who stay at home," he said. This different "education logic" poses a major challenge for gaokao internationally.

However, more overseas universities will be "forced" to accept gaokao results as an increasing number of young Chinese choose to study abroad, he added.

A total of 9.42 million Chinese students took this year's gaokao this month.

Nearly 460,000 Chinese students went abroad last year, up by 11.09 percent compared with 2013, according to the Ministry of Education.

who says "forced" a company ceo who will make a lot of money who wants to sound like castle grey skull (i have the poweeerrrrrrr!!!). yes, they accept gaokao now that they understand it, that does not surprixe me. once a standard is recognised students can be accepted, as long as they can pay. some universtities are known as debt farms. overseas students can fail courses and keep coming back as long as they pay.

one has to ask, if aperson is just cutting and pasting from state media, who they are working for? not the first time he has done this.

Maybe he just likes stimulating debate.

If he is on someone's payroll as you imply, then they should fire him. After all 9 posts in 3 years would be rather inefficient wouldn't it?

@harriis
Interesting post - but it probably would have been easier to just cite the weblink (unless it's blocked).

That said, I did read/skim the entire post - so it was definitely interesting (to me). Thank you.

They just want the money from the dummies who want to go abroad. A poor student in China is a genius in the USA. Those who fail math in China are put in advanced math in the USA.

Just another carrot to get more students to go abroad since the west is basically bankrupt.

Just as they offer a visa to anyone who puts up $500,000. I know a person who has done this and already forked over the Benjamins.

Article works well as an indicator of universities to avoid. East London sits in the relegation zone at the bottom of the table for London. Notably scoring very low for 'entry standards'. www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/[...]

@HFCAMPO
I am sorry to see, you being so negative about everything and so 美国-centered.

In other parts of the world, tuition fees are minimal, if not free. In comparison to the Chinese University system which is bleeding foreign students dry and streaming them with the worst of teachers and facilities.

The gaokao itself is ridiculous and no wonder that most Universities are setting the entrance-standard high.

Students receive special gaokao training, showing and practicing the test papers, and even telling them which answers they have to give. Basically, cheating them through the exam. Something impossible in the west. And they still only get, poor results.

Chinese students aren't that good in advanced math, see the dropout rate of Chinese students in Europe.

I personally have 8 friends who tried studying abroad, and 5 came back stating, that it was too difficult. And it was not about the language.

Western colleges require, critical thinking, teamwork, communication skills with the lecturer and analytical skills. Something Chinese are traditionally bad at, thanks to the politicized education system. And memorizing math formulas and number tables, will take you quote a bit, but not far enough.

Also, in education people also [now], measure the effectiveness of an education system. And spending ten to twelve hours of studying, every day, just to get to the same level, or moderately better, -compared to the students in the west, who study only a fragment of the time. Putting the value of the gaokao and Chinese education system in question.

Maybe you should do more research before you are spreading inaccurate information.
Or, once in a while, post something positive.

Anyway not rattling your chain but just some advise.

In some parts of the world tuition is indeed minimal, if not free. However, in many western countries the idea now seems to be to force students into debt so that when they finish they will already have their futures, for the next several years, in the hands of the employers who want to make money out of them. Idea seems to be to keep the students in the pocket of those who can benefit from what the students have learned, rather than, say, raising hell in the streets about the world they're being trained to support.

@Alien

you are rerouting the argument towards the U.S.-based argument again, right?

My brother was left with a student loan, of financially-back-breaking 8000 Euro and 15 years or 20 years, to pay back.

Plus, nobody forces you to go into any job, at a certain employer.

You [still] have a free choice.

Of course, if you study human migration on a master, your paycheck will differ from the one of a designer, engineer, or MBA.

If you don't mind, you could show an example of a regular study in a European country [exception may be U.K. for overseas students] and how long it takes to pay it back.

...try Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Ireland, Poland, etc.

It's very different from the U.S.

Plus, my brother [for example] uses exactly what he learned in college, because his mentor saw what he did as part time job [course related], and included it into his course profile and requirements. He worked F/T while studying and got his credits, from his professor.

The Prof. said: "This is exactly what you will do, when you get out of college, if I'd force you to do silly tasks simulating what you are already doing in your job, -the course and my job as Prof. would be pointless."

My brother, basically worked his way through college full-time.