The Highest Exam: How the Gaokao Shapes China Ruixue Jia, Hongbin Li and Claire Cousineau. Cambridge, MA and London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2025. 29. 95; £24. 95 (hbk). ISBN 9780674295391

Key Points

• The aim is to analyze how the Gaokao exam influences the educational landscape and societal expectations in China.
• Literature review on the Gaokao and its historical context
• Qualitative analysis of societal perceptions
• Case studies illustrating the exam's impact
• Highlights the immense academic pressure on students
• Shows the Gaokao's role in shaping educational policies
• Discusses how the exam influences career prospects and social mobility