12.9 million register for 2026 gaokao as authorities prepare for safe, fair exam

A total of 12.9 million candidates have registered for the 2026 national college entrance exam, or gaokao, the Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday.

The number was 13.35 million last year.

The annual exam is scheduled to take place from Sunday to Monday in most provincial-level regions, while in some regions it will last three or four days.

The Ministry of Education, together with members of the inter-ministerial joint conference mechanism for national education examinations, has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a safe and orderly gaokao.

Authorities have strengthened a full-chain safety responsibility system covering risk prevention, emergency response and post-exam work. Standardized procedures have been reinforced in areas including exam paper security, transportation and storage, test administration, listening tests, grading and marking. Comprehensive safety inspections have also been carried out at key facilities and exam venues. In addition, contingency plans for geological disasters and extreme weather have been improved to enhance emergency response capabilities, the ministry said.

Strict measures have been introduced to safeguard fairness in the exam. Relevant departments have launched joint campaigns to improve both online and offline testing environments, crack down on the sale of cheating devices and impersonation in exams, and regulate irregular training institutions, it said.

Local authorities have upgraded technological and on-site supervision measures, including intelligent security screening systems, to prevent high-tech cheating involving devices such as mobile phones and smart glasses. Integrity education for candidates has also been strengthened, according to the ministry.

Publicity that hypes top scorers, high scores or admission rates is prohibited. Authorities are also rectifying the practice of issuing excessively luxurious admission packages to promote standardized enrollment procedures, it said.

Local authorities have been urged to use diverse communication channels, including television, official websites, social media accounts and livestreaming platforms, to provide information, explain policies, offer reminders and answer questions, creating a positive public atmosphere for the exam.

Special accommodations have been arranged for candidates with disabilities. Braille exam papers will be provided for visually impaired candidates, and reasonable accommodations will be offered to more than 14,000 candidates with disabilities.

A range of support services covering transportation, accommodation, food safety, noise control and psychological counseling has also been put in place, the ministry added.