The Gaokao (高考), China's National College Entrance Examination, is one of the most high-stakes standardized tests in the world. Administered annually in June, it determines university admissions for millions of students and serves as the primary gateway to China's top-tier 985 and 211 project universities. This free printable practice test PDF covers the core subject areas tested across provincial Gaokao formats, giving you realistic question practice you can study offline at your own pace.

The Gaokao spans two days and is structured around compulsory and elective subjects. Compulsory subjects — taken by all students nationwide — are Chinese Language and Literature (语文), Mathematics (数学), and a Foreign Language (外语, typically English). Students then choose three elective subjects from sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or arts/humanities (History, Geography, Politics), depending on their provincial system and academic track. Some provinces have adopted the "3+1+2" model, requiring either Physics or History as a fixed elective, with two additional choices.

Total scoring on the Gaokao is 750 points. Chinese Language, Mathematics, and Foreign Language are each worth 150 points. Elective subjects contribute the remaining 300 points. Scores are used directly for university application, with the most selective universities — led by Peking University and Tsinghua University — requiring scores in the top fraction of a percent in competitive provinces like Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu.

Mathematics is widely considered the most differentiating subject on the Gaokao. The exam covers algebra (functions and their properties, inequalities, sequences and series), geometry (solid geometry — spatial reasoning with prisms, pyramids, and spheres; analytic geometry — equations of lines, circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas), trigonometry (the sine rule, cosine rule, trigonometric identities, and graphs of trigonometric functions), introductory calculus (derivatives — rates of change, monotonicity, extrema; definite and indefinite integrals), probability, and statistics. The final question on the Gaokao math paper is traditionally the most challenging and designed to separate the highest-scoring candidates.

English on the Gaokao tests reading comprehension (multiple articles with inference and vocabulary questions), a cloze test (fill-in-the-blank passage testing grammar and contextual vocabulary), grammar and vocabulary items, and a two-part writing section. The writing section typically requires a short summary or information transformation task, followed by a longer argumentative or descriptive essay (usually 100–120 words). Candidates preparing internationally or as heritage Chinese speakers should focus on academic reading speed and formal writing conventions.

Chinese Language and Literature is the longest and most complex section. It includes classical Chinese (文言文) reading with grammar and comprehension questions, modern Chinese reading (现代文) covering literary and expository texts, language application tasks (idioms, sentence correction, logic), and a composition (作文) worth 60 points — typically 800 words in narrative, argumentative, or prose-poetry form. Classical Chinese reading is particularly challenging for students who have not studied wenyan systematically.

Science electives — Physics, Chemistry, and Biology — test content equivalent to the Chinese high school curriculum (Renjiaoban / PEP textbooks). Physics covers mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics. Chemistry covers stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. Biology covers cell biology, genetics and evolution, ecology, and biotechnology. Each science subject includes both multiple-choice and free-response sections requiring mathematical calculations and written explanations.

Humanities electives — History, Geography, and Politics — are assessed through both factual recall and analytical writing. History tests Chinese history (ancient, modern, and contemporary) alongside world history. Geography integrates physical geography (climate systems, geomorphology) with human geography (urbanization, industry, agriculture). Politics (Thought and Politics) covers Marxist economic theory, political theory of the Chinese state, philosophical principles, and contemporary societal issues.

For international students or overseas Chinese preparing for Gaokao-equivalent assessments, this practice PDF is an essential complement to textbook review. Work through each subject section systematically, time yourself on individual question sets, and review your errors against the detailed answer explanations. Consistent timed practice over 3–6 months is the single strongest predictor of Gaokao score improvement across all subject areas.