In two days millions of Chinese students, most of whom were born in 2000, will sit for the national college entrance exam, or gaokao. Given that most of them were born at the turn of the new millennium, they are bound to attract attention. The exam is an important part of the country’s talent selection process that has evolved over the 41 years since its restoration in 1977. So, what are the newest changes to the exam Generation Z will face this year?

今明两天内，数百万中国学生，其中大部分出生于2000年，将参加全国高考。由于他们中的大多数都出生在新千年之交，必然会引起人们的注意。高考是中国人才选拔过程的重要组成部分，自1977年恢复以来已有41年的历史。因此，今年千禧一代将面临的高考最新变化是什么？

More candidates, less bonus points

更多的考生，更少的积分！

About 9.75 million candidates will sit for the exam this year, 350,000 more than last year, according to the Ministry of Education.

根据教育部的数据，今年将有975万人参加考试，比去年增加35万人。

The ministry said in March that it would eliminate some preferential provisions that award bonus points to some students’ total score, as part of its effort to promote a more fair and scientific selection process.

教育部在3月份表示，将取消一些奖励部分学生总分优惠的条款，作为促进更公平和科学选拔学生过程的一部分。

According to the statement, no bonus points will be awarded for exceptional sports ability, winning academic Olympiads or science and technology competitions, being named "provincial-level excellent students" or honored for "righteous and courageous deeds".

根据公告，体育特长生、中学生学科奥林匹克竞赛、科技类竞赛、省级优秀学生、思想政治品德有突出事迹等五项全国性高考加分项目全面取消。

Previously, students with top performance in athletics or science were awarded up to 20 points on their total score, although some provinces had already canceled such provisions under a notice issued by the ministry four years ago.

以前，在运动或科学方面表现优秀的学生在总分外额外获得20分加分，根据四年前教育部发布的相关通知，一些省份已经取消了这些规定。

Reforms of the enrollment process

招生过程全面改革！

Enrollment process will be streamlined in many places this year. Key universities and others will be combined into the same round of enrollment to provide more choices for different students. Tianjin, Guangdong and Liaoning will adopt the reforms this year, after the practice was put into place in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong and Hainan.

今年许多地方的招生流程将会更加精简，重点大学和其他批次将被合并到同一轮招生中，为不同的学生提供更多的选择。在上海、浙江、山东和海南实施改革后，天津、广东和辽宁将在今年实施改革。

New majors for the age of intelligence

智能时代的新专业！

There will be 2,311 new majors to choose this year, many of which are oriented toward science and technology’s new front - big data and artificial intelligence.

今年将有2311个新专业选择，其中很多都是面向科技的最新前沿，包括大数据和人工智能。

Around 250 colleges will set up courses on "data science and big data technology" and around 60 colleges will add "robotic engineering" as a new major.

大约250所学院将开设“数据科学和大数据技术”课程，约60所学院将增加“机器人工程”作为新专业。

Cyberspace security is also a new option in this year’s major selection.

网络空间安全也是今年学生重要的新选择。

Ban on publicity of top scorers

禁止炒作高考状元！

In recent years, over-emphasis or even hype of the top scorers and highest enrollment rate received negative reviews. This year, the ministry stressed its firm stance of banning the practice before the exam.

近年来，过度强调甚至炒作高考状元和升学率受到了社会的负面评价。今年，教育部在考试前强调了禁止炒作的坚定立场。

According to a notice published on its official website, violators would be punished severely.

根据官方网站发布的通知，违规者将受到严厉惩罚。

（来源：爱语吧）