Inside the Gaokao: China’s Defining Test with Ruixue Jia

from The World of Higher Education · host Higher Education Strategy Associates

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Dr. Ruixue Jia, a professor of economics at UC San Diego and co-author of 'The Highest Exam: How The Gaokao Shapes China.' They discuss the historical and contemporary significance of the Gaokao, China's university entrance exam, and its profound impact on Chinese society. Topics include the exam's origins in the Tang Dynasty, how it influences social mobility, and its role in governance. They also compare the Chinese and American systems of university admissions and explore the future of the Gaokao given China's economic and demographic changes.👉 Episode Links:The Highest Exam: How The Gaokao Shapes China

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Oct 30, 2025

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Inside the Gaokao: China’s Defining Test with Ruixue Jia

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