Extra points for gaokao are reduced

China to eliminate five categories that gave certain students a boost

China will eliminate five preferential items from its education policy that adds bonus points to a student’s national college entrance exam, or gaokao, as part of an effort to have a more fair and scientific selection process, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday.

The ministry will stop giving bonus points to students who have exceptional sports ability, who have won academic Olympiads or science and technology competitions, who are named “provincial-level excellent students” or those who have performed “righteous and courageous deeds”, according to a statement posted on its website.

The statement does not mention ethnic groups, the children of national martyrs or returned overseas Chinese, meaning they may still be eligible for bonus points on the gaokao.

Currently, students with top performance in athletics or science can be awarded up to 20 points on the gaokao, although some provinces have already canceled such items under a notice issued by the ministry four years ago.

In 2014, the ministry released a joint notice with several other ministries requiring all provinces and regions to review and reduce the number of items used to provide extra points to students with science or sports talents.

Speaking of the latest directive, Xiong Bingqi, vice-president of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said: “The statement is meant to ensure the equity of college admissions by reducing the possibility of fraud and abuse. It can reduce corruption related to the preferential policy

Briefly