When this year’s gaokao scores started to drop on June 25, it quickly became a hot topic both online and offline. Viral videos captured tense moments as students and parents hovered over screens, waiting for score pages to refresh, followed by bursts of tears, laughter, and everything in between.

Scored out of 750 points, the main gaokao scheme consists of three mandatory subjects—Chinese, mathematics, and a foreign language (usually English)—each worth 150 points. Students then choose one primary subject, either physics or history, worth 100 points. In addition, they select two out of four secondary subjects: chemistry, biology, politics, and geography, each also worth 100 points. This structure forms the widely adopted “3+1+2” gaokao model used in most provinces.

Test questions vary by region—some use nationally standardized exams, others create their own, or combine both, depending on local resources and circumstances.

Ever wondered how you’d fare on this grueling exam—or, if you’ve taken it before, whether you’ve still got it? We’ve rounded up some real questions from this year’s gaokao across multiple subjects to give you a taste of the challenge. Grab a pen, test your wits, and see how you stack up—answers (minus the essay ones) await at the end of each section.

Mandatory subjects

English

[National Volume I] Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with a suitable word or the correct form of the word provided in brackets (10 questions, 1.5 points each, 15 points total):

An exhibition at the Jiushi Art Museum in Shanghai is featuring artwork inspired by Go, or weiqi in Chinese, __[1]__ originated in China more than 4,000 years ago.

Go is one of __[2]__ earliest binary-based games. The movements of the black and white pieces reflect the ideas of Eastern philosophy, according to Tu Ning, who is in charge of the exhibition.

“The exhibition brings together Go culture, cutting-edge technology and contemporary art,” says Tu. “We hope __[3]__ (present) the rather abstract Go game and AI in a visual context, and initiate dialogues with minimalist art, conceptual art and expressionism.”

“In a Go game, each move should serve a long-term goal. You try to lead the opponent into your trap and force them to follow your ‘__[4]__ (guide)’ till they lose,” explains Wang Wei, a Go player among the visitors to the exhibition.

“The player’s personalities __[5]__ (reveal) during the game, and one’s weaknesses are exposed to the opponent,” she adds. “A decent winner always __[6]__ (try) to beat the opponent __[7]__ no more than one or two points as a gesture (姿态) of respect for the other side.”

Tu says that the balance between the black and the white pieces, beauty in the __[8]__ (strategy) placement of the pieces, __[9]__ the energy flow following each move inspired artists to create oil paintings, sculptures, __[10]__ (digital) generated pictures and silk-screen prints for the exhibition.

Chinese

[National Volume II] Recite classical texts and famous quotations by completing the following sentences (6 points):

1. 周末的音乐会圆满成功，媒体报道时引用苏轼《赤壁赋》中的 “_______________， _______________” 两句，形容洞箫的尾音婉转悠长，连绵不断。

The weekend concert was a great success. In media coverage, two lines from Su Shi’s “Ode to the Red Cliffs” were quoted: “_______________, _______________,” to describe the lingering, melodious, and unbroken tones of the dongxiao (Chinese vertical bamboo flute).

2. 老年大学的教室里悬挂着一副对联，写的是陆游的《临安春雨初霁》中的“_______________， _______________”，对应着开设的书法和茶艺两门课。

In the classroom of a senior learning center, a couplet hangs on the wall featuring two lines from Lu You’s poem “Spring Rain in Lin’an Clears”: “_______________, _______________,” which correspond to the calligraphy and tea art classes offered there.

3. 与右图内容相契合的古诗文名句，可以是：“_______________， _______________。”

A classical verse that matches the content of the image could be: “_______________, _______________.”

Math

[Shanghai Volume] Solve the following problems (14 points):

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, China won the gold medal in the Men’s 4×100-meter medley relay. Below are the winning times (in seconds) from past Olympics, listed in ascending order.

1. Find the range and median of these data;
2. From these 10 data points, if you randomly select 3, what is the probability that exactly 2 of them are above 211?
3. If the regression equation of the competition result y to the year x is y = −0.311x+b̂, and the average year x is 2006, predict the winning team’s result in 2028, rounded to 0.01 seconds.

Answers:

English: [1] which; [2] the; [3] to present; [4] guidance; [5] are revealed; [6] tries; [7] by; [8] strategic; [9] and; [10] digitally

Math:

1. 10.15 and 210.015

2. 3/10

3. 204.54

Chinese: 1. 余音袅袅，不绝如缕 2. 矮纸斜行闲作草，晴窗细乳戏分茶 3. 孤帆远影碧空尽，唯见长江天际流 （one possible answer）

Primary subject (choose one)

Physics

[Beijing Volume] Multiple choice (3 points):

In June 2024, the Chang’e 6 probe completed the first sample-return mission from the far side of the Moon. As shown in the diagram, the probe flies around the Moon in a circular orbit 1, then at point A performs an orbital transfer into an elliptical orbit 2, with point B as the apolune (farthest point from the Moon). Regarding the Chang’e 6 probe, which of the following statements is correct?

A. During the movement from point A to point B along orbit 2, the kinetic energy gradually decreases.
B. During the movement from point A to point B along orbit 2, the acceleration gradually increases. C. The mechanical energy on orbit 2 is equal to that on orbit 1.
D. The mass of the Moon can be calculated using the gravitational constant and the orbital period of orbit 1.

History

[Shandong Volume] Multiple choice (3 points):

Liang Qichao (梁启超) served as chief instructor at the Changsha School of Political Affairs from 1897 to 1898, where he promoted civil rights, claiming that the “Six Classics” in Confucianism contained ideas of civil rights. In response, Hunan scholar Ye Dehui argued: “If the people have power, then the rulers have none. To force such an interpretation onto the ‘Six Classics’—how could they possibly contain such ideas?” What is at the core of their dispute?

A. Whether the Confucian canon has practical value
B. Whether it’s feasible to explain Chinese traditions using Western ideology
C. Whether the political system should be reformed
D. Whether to implement reforms or carry out a revolution

Answers: Physics: A; History: C

Secondary subjects (choose two out of four)

Chemistry

[Guangdong Volume] Multiple choice (2 points):

Traditional Chinese craftsmanship showcases the wisdom of the people. Which of the following materials is primarily composed of an alloy?

A. Paper-cutting of Nezha
B. Carved stone seal
C. Wooden movable type in printing
D. Stainless steel needles in traditional Chinese acupuncture

Geography

[Beijing Volume] Multiple choice (3 points):

Starting in April 2025, Beijing will begin sourcing photovoltaic green electricity from regions such as Altay (47.83°N, 88.14°E) and Hami (42.83°N, 93.52°E) in Xinjiang. Based on this, answer the following question. In that month, ( )

A. the shadow length in Beijing at noon gradually becomes longer.
B. the sunset time in Hami gradually gets earlier.
C. the sunrise direction in Altay is southeast.
D. the daylight in Beijing is shorter than in Altay.

Politics

[Henan Volume] Multiple choice (3 points):

In recent years, Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have actively explored ways to “go global together” through alliances, sharing supply chains, and capital cooperation. In January 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the “Notice on Carrying out Special Actions to Support SMEs Going Overseas,” aiming to provide specialized support services such as policy support, management improvement, and rights protection. Going global together helps SMEs to ().

1. enhance risk management capabilities and strengthen development resilience
2. achieve resource and information sharing to mitigate economic fluctuations
3. develop synergistic effects among enterprises to promote balanced growth
4. expand overseas development opportunities and boost competitiveness

A. 1 and 2

B. 1 and 4

C. 2 and 3

D. 3 and 4

Biology

[Hubei Volume] Multiple choice (2 points):

The sixth-century agriculturist Jia Sixie (贾思勰) documented seed growth in his encyclopedia Essential Techniques for the Common People (《齐民要术》), stating that damp or moldy seeds either won’t sprout or will quickly die. Based on this, which of the following statements is incorrect?

A. In agricultural production, seeds need to be stored in a dry environment.

B. Moisture in seeds increases the proportion of bound water in cells, reducing the proportion of free water and weakening cellular metabolism.

C. Mold reproduces in large quantities on seeds, consuming their nutrients and hindering proper germination.

D. During mold growth, harmful substances produced by microbial metabolism may inhibit the activity of enzymes related to seed germination.

Answers: Chemistry: D; Geography: D; Politics: B; Biology: B

Bonus Questions

[National Volume I] Chinese Essay (60 points):

Read the following materials and write an essay based on the instructions.

“He wanted to sing a verse for the children, but his heart was in turmoil, and he could not speak.”
— Lao She, The Drummer’s Artist

“If I were a bird,
I should sing with a hoarse throat.”
— Ai Qing, I Love This Land

“I want to embrace each of you with blood-stained hands,
Because a nation has risen.”
— Mu Dan, Praise

How do the above materials inspire your thoughts and reflections? Please write an essay.

Requirements: Choose a suitable angle, establish a clear theme, define the genre, and devise your own title. Do not use templates, plagiarize, or disclose personal information. The essay should be no less than 800 words.

[National Volume II] English Essay Part 1 (15 points):

Suppose you are Li Hua, the editor of your school’s English newspaper. Last month, foreign teacher Chris agreed to write an article introducing Canadian sports. Please write an email to Chris, including:

(1) asking about the progress;

(2) reminding them of the submission deadline.

The email should be around 80 words.