A growing number of regions across China have announced plans to remove biology and geography from the scoring system of the high school entrance examination, known as the zhongkao, starting in 2027.

近年来，全国多地陆续公布中考改革新举措。不少地区将从2027年起，将生物、地理等科目移出中考计分科目，改为等级评价或开卷考试。

The move is part of broader efforts to reduce the burden on students and expand access to general high school education. Jilin province was the latest to announce such reforms on March 17.

旨在减轻学生负担，扩大普通高中教育资源。吉林省于3月17日成为最新宣布改革的省份。

Biology and geography will no longer count toward the total zhongkao score from next year, according to a statement from the provincial education department.

根据吉林省教育厅发布的通知，从明年起，生物学、地理将不再计入中考总分。

The subjects will instead be assessed through open-book exams, with results presented in letter grades rather than numerical scores.

而是改为开卷考试，成绩以等级形式呈现，不再采用具体分数。

Similar reforms are underway nationwide.

与此同时，全国多地也在推进类似改革。

Huangshan in Anhui province will exclude biology and geography from zhongkao scores starting in 2027, instead requiring passing grades for admission to elite high schools.

安徽黄山市明确，从2027年起，生物、地理科目不计入中考总分，但报考省级示范性普通高中的考生，相关科目需达到规定等级要求。

Ji'an in Jiangxi province will introduce computer-based testing for the two subjects, with results presented as grades A through D serving as reference only.

江西吉安则将这两科改为计算机考试，成绩按A、B、C、D等级呈现，仅供录取参考。

Xiangtan in Hunan province has reduced scored subjects to eight with a 655-point cap, eliminating biology and geography while expanding open-book exams and admission quotas for underprivileged schools.

湖南湘潭市则将中考计分科目精简为8科，总分设为655分，同时扩大开卷考试范围，并增加指标生招生名额。

Gao Hang, vice-dean of the School of Education at Renmin University of China, said the model of reducing exam subjects is gaining recognition, and more regions are considering such reforms.

中国人民大学教育学院副院长高杭指出，减少计分科目的改革方向已逐渐成为共识，越来越多地区正考虑跟进。

The reforms typically involve three elements: converting some subjects from "exams" to "assessments", shifting from closed-book to open-book exams, and replacing numerical scores with letter grades.

此类改革通常包含三方面内容：部分科目从"考试"变为"考查"，从闭卷考试变为开卷考试，以及将分数制改为等级制。

"These measures help reduce academic burden and school teaching pressure, and they alleviate the anxiety of 'point-by-point competition'. In the past, a single point could separate hundreds of students in ranking. Now, the obsession with scores might diminish," Gao said.

高杭表示，这些措施有助于减轻学生的学业负担和学校的教学压力，缓解"分分计较"带来的焦虑感。"过去一分之差可能拉开几百名的差距，现在对分数的过度追求有望缓解。"

The reforms come as the 2022 edition of the compulsory education curriculum plan introduced new requirements, including making labor education and information technology independent subjects, and strengthening modules such as artificial intelligence, national security education and rule of law education, he added.

他还提到，2022年版义务教育课程方案和课程标准对改革提出了新要求，包括将劳动教育、信息科技等列为独立学科，并加强了人工智能、国家安全、法治教育等内容。

Reducing the number of scored subjects, Gao said, helps create space for students to engage with new curriculum requirements without adding to exam pressure. It also serves as a "command baton" to shift the focus from score-oriented education to holistic development.

减少计分科目有助于为学生腾出空间，在不增加考试压力的前提下落实新课程要求，同时也发挥"指挥棒"作用，引导教育从"唯分数"向全面发展转变。

During this year's two sessions, Liu Xiya, a national lawmaker and head of the Chongqing Xiejiawan Education Group, called for further integration of curriculum subjects, noting that in some regions, primary school students study as many as 11 subjects per week, and middle school students more than 15. "Too many subjects, too finely divided, lead to excessive burden," she said.

在今年全国两会上，全国人大代表、重庆谢家湾教育集团总校长刘希娅建议进一步整合课程科目。她指出，部分地区小学生每周要学11门课，初中生则超过15门，科目过多、过细，加重了学生负担。

Gao acknowledged that shifting away from a deeply entrenched culture of score-chasing will take time.

高杭坦言，改变"唯分数"的积习仍需时间。

"Standardized testing still has value, especially in ensuring fairness. The challenge is to balance that with the goal of fostering well-rounded development. What we're doing now is correcting the direction, but returning to the desired state will take time," he said.

"标准化考试仍有其价值，尤其是在保障公平性方面。关键是如何平衡公平与促进学生全面发展的目标。当前我们正在校正方向，但要回归理想状态，仍需要一个过程。"

Alongside the reduction in exam subjects, multiple regions are expanding general high school capacity and increasing admission quotas.