CRI听力:China Releases New Guideline on High School Academic Proficiency Test

China's Ministry of Education is bringing in a number of changes to the high school academic proficiency test in an attempt to reform the college entrance exam, or "gaokao".

The new academic proficiency tests are going to cover 14 different subjects.

Of the 14 different subjects, the results of three of them will be included in an individual student's college entrance exam.

This will allow students to choice the three subjects they prefer when taking the 'gaokao' and applying for college.

Li Guixi is the headmaster of a Beijing High School.

"The biggest highlight is the changes will give students more choices. Students can pick three different subjects by themselves. This will encourage the students to explore areas that interest them during their high school studies. It will help students narrow their potential and give them a sharper focus for college."

At the same time, instead of providing detailed scores, the results of the three subjects will be classified into letter-grades, ranging from A to E.

The broader-based grading system should ease stress on students, as they'll no longer have to scramble for every single point in the exams.

The changes are part of the Education Ministry's attempt to overhaul the college entrance exam by 2020.

The current 'gaokao' system has been criticized for its overemphasis on specific academic scores, rather than nurturing a student's potential in areas they might do well in.