Beijing, May 7 (Xinhua) — With one month to go before the 2024 college entrance examination (gaokao), candidates across the country have entered an intense sprint phase to prepare for this major life test. Meanwhile, localities are deploying and carrying out exam security work to safeguard a safe gaokao.

  On June 7, 2023, students high-five each other for encouragement at a ** middle school in Zheng'an County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province. On that day, the 2023 gaokao kicked off.

　　The national unified exam is held on June 7 and 8

　　Gaokao registration numbers rise in many places

　　According to the Ministry of Education, the national unified exam begins on June 7, with the specific subject schedule as follows: June 7, 9:00–11:30 Chinese; 15:00–17:00 Mathematics. June 8, 9:00–11:30 Liberal Arts Comprehensive/Science Comprehensive; 15:00–17:00 Foreign Language. Where a foreign language listening test is included, it should generally be conducted before the written foreign language test begins.

　　Where the names of exam subjects in provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) are the same as those of the national unified exam, the schedule must be consistent with that of the national unified exam. The timing of provincial unified exams and university admissions exams shall be determined and announced by the respective provincial admissions committees and universities in accordance with relevant requirements of the Ministry of Education.

　　Recently, multiple provinces have announced the specific exam times for each subject, making clear that gaokao candidates must take both the national unified exam and the selective academic proficiency exam for ordinary high schools in their province.

　　China News Service noted that some provinces have recently released their 2024 gaokao registration figures, with registration numbers rising in many places.

　　For example, as of March 31 this year, Hainan Province had basically completed gaokao registration, physical examinations and qualification review, with 74,096 registrants, an increase of 4,027 over last year. The proportion of various candidate types is basically the same as last year, including 67,507 current high school graduates, 5,074 previous high school graduates, and 1,515 secondary vocational students.

　　On April 1, Hunan held the 2024 provincial education examination and enrollment work conference, which noted that the number of gaokao registrants in Hunan this year grew to 730,000, an increase of 50,000 over the previous year.

  On June 9, 2023, as the 2023 gaokao in Hunan concluded, candidates rushed out of the examination site at Changsha No. 1 Middle School.

　　Ministry of Education: Achieve the goals and tasks of a "safe gaokao"

　　Localities roll out measures to ensure exam security

　　On April 28, the Ministry of Education, together with relevant departments, held a video conference on the security work for the 2024 national ordinary higher education admissions examination.

　　The conference emphasized that doing a good job on the 2024 gaokao is of great significance. It is necessary to resolutely implement the major decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, anchor the goal of building an education powerhouse, coordinate the advancement of the comprehensive gaokao reform and gaokao security, and achieve the goals and tasks of a "safe gaokao." Among the requirements: exams and admissions must be implemented to high standards, exam administration must be rigorous, exam cheating must be strictly prevented, grading and score review must be strict, and admissions discipline must be strict, ensuring strictness and standardization.

　　As the gaokao approaches, localities are deploying exam security work, taking multiple measures in personnel, physical and technical prevention to curb cheating.

　　Recently, Shandong held a video conference on the security work for the 2024 ordinary higher education admissions examination, requiring adherence to the concept of high-quality development and ensuring the "four safeties" of exam organization, candidates, networks, and admissions. In particular, it is necessary to closely monitor major matters, important links, key positions and key periods, and manage key links such as exam paper confidentiality, cheating prevention, intelligent invigilation, and emergency response with ever greater strictness, solidity and meticulousness, ensuring the safety of exam organization.

　　Jiangsu held a provincial video conference on the security work for ordinary higher education admissions examinations, stating that leaks must be strictly prevented and the security bottom line firmly upheld; the confidentiality classification requirements for exam papers must be fully implemented, with tiered management and responsibility at each level, resolutely eliminating any leaks; cheating must be strictly prevented and exam discipline strictly enforced; comprehensive treatment of the exam environment must be deepened; special actions such as purifying the environment around exam sites must be carried out; and all types of exam-related illegal and non-compliant activities must be severely cracked down on.

　　Hainan stated that it will strengthen departmental coordination, enhance comprehensive rectification of the exam environment, strictly manage exam organization, strengthen exam security work, and continue to adopt "five-in-one" security measures such as centralized storage of mobile phones at exam sites, deployment of smart security gates for "2+1+X" security checks, and full installation of radio signal (including 5G) shielding equipment. It will pilot AI-based patrol and inspection measures, resolutely prevent and crack down on all types of exam irregularities and cheating, further strengthen integrity education for candidates, and optimize the selection, training and assessment of exam staff.