7. Reform plans for gaokao in more provinces

Eight provincial-level regions joined in gaokao reform this year. The change will cover students who entered high schools in fall 2018 or later in Hebei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong and Chongqing.

The reform allows the students to have more choices — up to 12 combinations of subjects instead of the current two choices between arts and science. Their performances during high school academic tests will also serve as measurable indicators.

A total of 14 regions are implementing the comprehensive reform since the State Council in 2014 initiated it. The other six regions are Shanghai, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong and Hainan.