7-6-2023 (BEIJING) Liang Shi, a 56-year-old self-made millionaire, stands out among the sea of fresh-faced high schoolers as he sits for China’s rigorous “gaokao” college entrance exam for the 27th time. With his grey hair and determined spirit, Liang’s persistence in taking the exam has captured attention and admiration.
Having climbed the ladder from a menial factory job to building a successful construction materials business, Liang’s ultimate aspiration has always eluded him: achieving a high enough score on the notoriously challenging gaokao to secure a spot at the esteemed Sichuan University.
In order to compete with the nearly 13 million high school seniors taking the exam this year, Liang has adopted a monk-like lifestyle, dedicating himself to intensive studying for the past few months. Waking up at dawn, he immerses himself in textbooks for twelve hours a day, fully aware of the sacrifices he must make to achieve his dream.
“I feel uncomfortable knowing that I never had the opportunity to receive a college education,” Liang shared with AFP. “I genuinely desire to attend university and become an intellectual.”
Over the past four decades, the native of Sichuan has attempted the gaokao a staggering 26 times, but has consistently fallen short of the required score to gain admission to his desired university. Locals have affectionately nicknamed him “the gaokao holdout,” a moniker Liang wears with pride.
For students in China, a good gaokao result can shape their entire future, with a degree from a top-tier university conferring respect, status, and better employment prospects.
Liang took his first gaokao exam in 1983 at the age of 16. He relentlessly pursued higher scores for the next decade until he was forced to give up in 1992, as the exam at that time was limited to single individuals under the age of 25.
As soon as the age restrictions were lifted in 2001, Liang reignited his desire for a prestigious college education. Since then, he has taken the gaokao an additional 16 times, including every year since 2010, even when the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to exam administration.
While some speculate that Liang’s endeavor is merely a publicity stunt, he dismisses such claims. “Why would I do that?” he retorts. “No sane person would spend decades taking the gaokao for a stunt.” Liang humorously points out that he had to give up drinking and playing mahjong during the preparation period, highlighting the seriousness of his commitment.
Liang’s pursuit has not received much support from his son, who took the gaokao himself in 2011. “At first, he disapproved, and now he’s simply indifferent,” Liang remarked.
When asked how he plans to celebrate once the exam is over this weekend, Liang eagerly shared his intention to indulge in some long-awaited fun. “I’m going to play mahjong with my friends for three days and three nights.”
