The national college entrance examination, known as _gaokao_, has seen nearly all of its candidates participate in a reformed structure that fully integrates updated curriculum standards.

According to the National Education Examinations Authority, this year's exam has been adopted in 29 provincial-level regions, representing approximately 98 percent of candidates nationwide.

The reformed _gaokao_, which commenced on Saturday and will conclude on Tuesday, consists of two examination models: the new '3+1+2' system and the previous '3+3' model.

The '3+1+2' model includes three mandatory subjects—Chinese, mathematics, and a foreign language—followed by an elective choice between physics or history, and two additional subjects selected from chemistry, biology, political ideology, and geography.

In contrast, the '3+3' model retains the same mandatory subjects but allows students to choose three electives from the remaining six subjects.

Notably, the '3+1+2' format is currently employed in 23 provinces, while the '3+3' format continues to be utilized in six locations, including major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Shanghai and Zhejiang province pioneered this reform by adopting the new system in 2017. A spokesperson from the National Education Examinations Authority highlighted that the aim of this year's examination is to evaluate students' core competencies, subject literacy, and cognitive processes, thereby fostering holistic student development.

In recognition of the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, one of the Chinese-language essay prompts incorporated historical references to instill a sense of national identity and patriotism among students.

An excerpt from the prompt poignantly expressed a personal connection to the past.

A second essay prompt urged students to be bold in their aspirations, emphasizing diligence in achieving personal goals.

The examination questions were crafted to prioritize authenticity and originality, allowing students to express genuine emotions through structured and descriptive language.

Educational experts noted that the revised Chinese exam underscores the principle of moral education, pushing young individuals to acknowledge their responsibilities towards the nation.

Furthermore, the exam content was aligned with college admission criteria as well as high school curriculum standards, aimed at mitigating rote memorization and overly mechanical test preparation.

Critical thinking emerged as another focal point in the tests.

For instance, a reading task on the Chinese paper incorporated a question-and-answer format about tree planting, encouraging students to deduce reasoning behind specific choices.

Wang Ning, a senior professor from Beijing Normal University, remarked that such a structure requires students to comprehend logical relationships within the material.

In the mathematics section, real-life scenarios were utilized to assess problem-solving competencies.

One question related to vectors in the context of a sailing competition, while another examined the statistical linkage between a medical condition and ultrasound testing.

The authority emphasized that the exams promote practical application of knowledge, independent thinking, and creative exploration.

Additionally, the national examination authority conducted studies on teaching and learning environments to fortify the relationship between testing and educational practices.

A reading question on the Chinese paper was explicitly linked to textbook content, aiming to enhance in-depth teaching and learning experiences in classrooms.