Cambridge uses gaokao as part of admissions

The University of Cambridge confirmed on Monday that it has been using scores from China's national college entrance examination, or gaokao, as part of its admission criteria for Chinese students for several years.

It said in a Weibo post, however, that it does not admit students solely based on their test scores.

The university's statement came after some Chinese media reported over the weekend that the university would start to admit Chinese students that ranked in the top 0.1 percent in the gaokao in their province, indicating that it would try to compete for talent with top universities in China.

The news immediately became one of the most viewed topics on social media, being read by 280 million users on Sina Weibo.

Many netizens noted that it would still be challenging to get into Cambridge, since scoring in the top 0.1 percent in the gaokao is no easy task. One joked that "I only had to turn down the offer from Peking University and Tsinghua University in the past and now I have to do the same with Cambridge."

Stephen Toope, vice-chancellor of the university, said the reason for accepting gaokao scores is that Cambridge wants to evaluate possible candidates with as much information as possible.

"Global universities must seek connection, communication and collaboration if we wish to see changes that will make the world a better place for everyone," he said on Sunday during a visit to Peking University.

Although the university's website said the gaokao is regarded as suitable preparation for Cambridge, it also noted that applicants studying for the gaokao are encouraged to undertake additional study outside their school, which might include, for example, science Olympiads, the College Board SAT I or II or advanced placement tests.

Students also need to meet the English language requirement and achieve a minimum overall grade of 7.5 and at least 7.0 in each element of the International English Language Testing System or achieve a minimum overall score of 110, with at least 25 in each element in the Test of English as a Foreign Language, it said.

What's equally challenging is Cambridge's high tuition per year, the lowest being 21,168 pounds ($27,900) for liberal arts students and highest being 55,272 pounds for medical students.

Because of differences in high school curricula between China and the United Kingdom, Chinese students who plan to study in the UK must take a one-year or six-month foundation program before starting their undergraduate courses.

Last year, the University of Birmingham became the first UK Russell Group University - also known as the "British Ivy League" - to accept gaokao scores for entry to undergraduate studies without first completing a foundation year.

The gaokao is increasingly accepted by universities in Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe. The University of New Hampshire became the first US state university to accept the gaokao in its entrance criteria last year. The test is also recognized by 30 universities in Australia and 30 in Canada, as well as colleges in Italy, France and Spain.

Some 10 million students take the exam annually, but only about 0.05 percent get into Tsinghua or Peking.

Shi Yan, a US studies consultant with Chivast Education International in Beijing, said accepting gaokao scores in the admissions procedure will help more foreign universities tap into a group of students who did not score high enough to get into their first-choice college in China.

"Given the fierce competition for university entrance in China, studying overseas can be a good alternative," Shi said, adding that overseas study experiences can improve a student's resume, as it demonstrates that they have good intercultural understanding and a strong command of English.