高考

China’s university exams

Ten million school-leavers today start taking the national college-entrance exam, known as the gaokao. It is happening a month later than usual because of the pandemic. Scores on the test are the only metric most Chinese universities use when deciding who gets in. But many candidates’ final year at school has been disrupted by the virus. Some will have to wear masks during the tests, and exam centres have set aside quarantine spaces for pupils who appear ill. Officials also promise renewed efforts to prevent cheating. Chinese are fuming over recent revelations that well-connected kids with poor scores have connived with teachers to steal university spots that should have gone to more studious peers. The damage the pandemic has done to China’s economy will only make it more important to score well in the exam, to secure a good job.