In China, Liáng Shí, known as the most outstanding “gaokao genius,” expressed deep disappointment after missing the mark for the 28th time this year by a difference of 11 points, saying he felt “totally rotten.” As for whether he will take the exam again next year, he mentioned that he needs to “think about it.” Another renowned gaokao “genius,” Táng Shàngjùn, who had insisted on attending Tsinghua University in Beijing and had taken the exam 16 times, finally decided to let go this year and apply to other universities.
Reports from the “Hǎibào News” and “Jiǔpài News” indicated that various provinces and cities in China have been announcing the results of the National College Entrance Exam (gaokao). Liáng Shí, hailed as the “ultimate gaokao genius,” failed again this year.
At 57 years old, Liáng Shí scored a total of 446 points this year, falling short of the cut-off for the second batch of Sichuan University’s arts and humanities program by 11 points, marking his 28th failure.
Upon seeing his score, Liáng Shí’s expression turned grim, he sighed deeply, and frankly admitted feeling “completely rotten and speechless.” Regarding whether he would retake the exam next year, he only said, “I need to reconsider.”
Exiting the test center in Chengdu on June 8th, Liáng Shí furrowed his brows, telling the media that he felt the situation was not looking good and he might be reenacting history by failing again. He lamented, “Every year ends in disappointment; I have never been happy.”
Liáng Shí, who persisted in pursuing higher education and has taken the exam 28 times, has become a subject of public interest in China every year. Although he has already achieved financial freedom as a businessman, the pressure on Táng Shàngjùn, who failed to get into Peking University 15 times due to his determination, is even more substantial.
In recent years leading up to the gaokao, the 57-year-old examinee Liáng Shí has once again become the focus of media attention as he prepares for his 28th gaokao.
Liáng Shí had gone through 25 science exams before switching to humanities and setting his sights on getting into Sichuan University.
In his first attempt at the humanities exam, Liáng Shí scored 428 points. Despite being far from the lowest admissions score at Sichuan University, he did not despair but chose to continue his efforts. However, even in the second humanities exam, his results fell short of his expectations, with a considerable gap from the admissions line.
Explaining his insistence on attending university, Liáng Shí gave his answer, “Without getting into college, I would feel a great regret in life; I just want to have the identity of a university student.” Regarding his area of study, he mentioned not having specific plans and believed that he would naturally choose a discipline that suited him once admitted to university.
Another well-known gaokao “genius,” Táng Shàngjùn, who had been steadfast in wanting to attend Tsinghua University in Beijing and had taken the exam 16 times, finally relinquished that dream this year and opted to apply to other universities.
Reports indicated that after the results of the Guangxi gaokao were announced, the 35-year-old Táng Shàngjùn began filling out his university preferences, being more cautious than ever this time.
As of now, Táng Shàngjùn has not publicly disclosed his gaokao results. He stated that he wouldn’t reveal his scores and preferences until the admission results were out and that he no longer fixated on attending Peking University.
Reportedly, Táng Shàngjùn scored over 600 points in this year’s gaokao, a more favorable outcome compared to previous years, granting him the option to select many first-rate universities.
Táng Shàngjùn expressed feeling unusually pressured this time compared to his previous 15 attempts. “On one hand, I just want to do well in the exam and proceed to university; on the other hand, my family hopes for my university education, while society expects me to go to college and walk the right path.”