Each year, over 12 million Chinese students sit for the Gaokao (高考), one of the most difficult and decisive university entrance exams in the world. This three-day test includes Chinese, Mathematics, English, and one elective subject from either the sciences or humanities. The maximum score varies by province, typically between 750 and 900, with the admission threshold for top universities exceeding 680–700 points. On average, fewer than 2% of students manage to get into elite institutions such as Peking University or Tsinghua University. To prepare for the Gaokao, the entire primary and secondary school journey is notoriously intense—students often study for extremely long hours, sometimes collapsing asleep on their desks from exhaustion.

Historical Roots

The Gaokao is a merit-based exam system that traces its origins to ancient China’s imperial examination system (Keju), which was used to select government officials. The Keju was abolished in 1905, and three years later (1952), the new People’s Republic of China established the Gaokao to create a more equitable and socially mobile educational pathway. However, the exam was suspended during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) and reinstated in 1977, symbolizing the rebirth of educational opportunity in China—where selection would now be based on academic ability rather than political background. Although the format has evolved, the Gaokao remains the only pathway to change one’s fate for millions of students.

Today’s Gaokao System

Although China’s education system is theoretically merit-based, regional disparities are stark. Students from coastal cities like Beijing and Shanghai enjoy better educational resources, superior teachers, and more competitive environments, whereas students in inland or rural provinces (like Guizhou or Gansu) face limited access to quality education. According to China’s Ministry of Education, urban students are five times more likely to be admitted into top-tier universities compared to their rural counterparts.
To close this gap and uncover untapped talent, China launched the “Strong Base Plan” (强基计划) in 2020, targeting 36 elite universities (including Tsinghua and Peking University) to admit students in fundamental disciplines like mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, and history. Admission combines Gaokao scores, interviews, and comprehensive evaluations. In 2023, about 25,000 students were admitted through this program—a relatively small number, but it is growing yearly.

What Does a High Gaokao Score Mean?

High scorers in the Gaokao are typically rewarded with:

1. Admission into top universities like Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, or Zhejiang University;
2. Full scholarships;
3. Local or national celebrity status, such as media interviews and huge banners hung outside their high schools;
4. Pre-admission offers from universities;
5. Local government rewards, such as bonuses, travel opportunities, or honorary certificates.

High scores often signal a bright future, but the real pressure occurs before the exam. As RaiNews once reported: “On Gaokao day, all of China comes to a standstill: roads near exam centers are closed, construction is halted, police ensure silence and punctuality, parents pray outside the gates, and students take the exam under extreme psychological stress.” The real competition lies in getting into top-tier universities. Many students who don’t meet their desired score retake the Gaokao the following year.

What About Italy?

By contrast, Italy’s university system is mostly open-access: as of 2024, only around 22% of undergraduate programs (such as medicine, veterinary science, architecture, and psychology) require a national entrance exam. Around 120,000 students take these exams annually, making Italy’s scale only 1% that of China.
Currently, Italy lacks a nationwide, structured system for identifying and nurturing talented youth. Most students choose local universities, as Italian families traditionally value staying close to home. As a result, even highly talented individuals often follow standardized, generalized paths, rather than being steered toward excellence. For decades, Italy’s policy focus has been on increasing overall education levels, with little attention paid to nurturing top performers. The consequence is that outstanding students struggle to stand out, and in doctoral admissions, recognition often depends on personal recommendations.

Though Italy does have some elite institutions, such as the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Sant’Anna School, Galileo College in Padua, and the Ferdinando Rossi Institute in Turin, they admit fewer than 2,000 students annually—a minuscule number compared to Italy’s 1.7 million university students. These institutions are inspired by France’s Grandes Écoles, whose graduates make up only 8–9% of all students yet occupy over 50% of national leadership positions. Italy has no equivalent pipeline.

But Are There Side Effects of High-Intensity Exams?

The Gaokao places enormous pressure on students—many study 12 to 14 hours a day for years. The system emphasizes accumulation and outcomes, often ignoring individual differences. For students from low-income backgrounds, the Gaokao is virtually their only chance for upward mobility. Yet, according to the OECD’s 2023 Education Report, while Chinese students rank 6th globally in knowledge application, they perform only moderately in fostering creativity—whereas Italy ranks 4th. This may be due to China’s focus on rote memorization.
Italy’s education system is more inclusive, but also more chaotic: capable students often rely on chance encounters with good mentors or their family’s social background, with little systemic support. Consequently, many talented Italians choose to move abroad. Italy is not lacking in talent, but having a degree does not automatically open doors.

Beyond the Gaokao: China’s “Youth Classes”

China also runs even more elite programs, such as the “Youth Class” at Xi’an Jiaotong University, aimed at 12–15-year-olds with exceptionally high IQs. These students bypass the Gaokao, entering through a highly competitive selection process, and follow an integrated junior high to PhD pathway. Their coursework is extremely advanced (e.g., university-level math and physics). With an acceptance rate of only 0.5%, the pressure may exceed that of the Gaokao. Critics argue such systems may rob children of their childhood, causing mental health issues, but supporters claim they nurture China’s next generation of strategic scientists.

Two Extremes: Jack Ma vs. Liang Wenfeng

The Gaokao does not define success. For example, Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, was poor at math and failed the Gaokao three times, yet became China’s richest man. On the other hand, Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, exemplifies the genius path: born in a poor town, self-studied high school math at age 11, ranked first in the Gaokao at 17, entered China’s top computer science program, and later achieved breakthroughs in quantitative finance and AI.

In 2023, he founded DeepSeek, which built an AI system rivaling OpenAI in just 55 days using only 5% of OpenAI’s budget. His three success factors:

1. Cost control inspired by Elon Musk;
2. A mission-driven team of only 139 people, working more for purpose than money;
3. Advocacy for open-source AI, arguing “closed-source is not a real moat.”

Italy’s Political Elites: An Alarming Picture

Alarmingly, Italy ranks among the lowest in the world for the share of parliamentarians with a university degree—only ahead of India and Tanzania. According to The Economist and a Bocconi University study, only 64% of Italian MPs in 2007 held a degree, compared to 91% in 1946, even though the general adult population’s education level rose from 1% to 14% in that time. Meanwhile, the share of university-educated U.S. lawmakers has steadily increased, nearing universal levels. This highlights Italy’s critical shortcomings in elite selection.

Conclusion: The Future of Talent in China and Italy?

We cannot claim the Gaokao is ideal—nor should Italy copy it. But in China’s highly competitive, merit-driven society, the state has at least built pathways to identify and support top talent. In contrast, Italy’s mass-education achievements have come at the cost of neglecting the best students, who often get lost in the system.

In China, Youth Classes and the Strong Base Plan are widening the paths to excellence. In Italy, even multiple degrees do not guarantee opportunity. Recent university reforms like the Bernini Bill have not emphasized talent identification. Though the Ministry of Education speaks of “merit,” the reality remains dominated by seniority and appearances.
Italy needs a national talent strategy—not isolated efforts by a few universities or teachers, but a systemic reform led by the government and Ministry of Education. The goal should be a coherent plan to identify, nurture, and employ talent.
 
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Professor Stefano Paleari of Bergamo, a great public servant who always generously shares advice (though he may not agree with everything here); to top Chinese scientist Prof. Gao; to visiting doctoral student S. Chen at Politecnico di Bari; to Marco Circella; and to engineer Domenico Claudio Di Vittorio of Marelli, who has extensive experience in China and offered valuable feedback on this article.