Why Tang Shangfa Decided Not to Continue Retaking the Gaokao
After 16 years of repeatedly taking the gaokao (college entrance exam), Tang Shangfa, China’s most famous ‘gaokao repeater’, has decided to enroll at South China Normal University rather than retake the exam again. His decision sparks discussions on gaokao, education, and life choices in modern China.
For the past 16 years, one name has been indelibly linked with China’s grueling national college entrance exam, the gaokao - Tang Shangfa. The 36-year-old from a poor village in Guangxi province has become a household name for his unwavering determination to improve his gaokao score and get into a top university by retaking the exam year after year.
Tang’s gaokao journey began in 2009 when he scored 372, far below the cutoff for first-tier universities. Undeterred, he chose the path of a “gaokao repeater”, spending 6-8 hours daily preparing for the next attempt while helping at his parents' farm. Over the years, his scores improved, earning him admissions to respected universities like China University of Political Science and Law, Xiamen University, Chongqing University etc. - all of which he declined in pursuit of his dream school.
In 2024, after his 16th attempt, Tang was finally admitted to South China Normal University. But in a surprising twist, he announced his decision to enroll and end his gaokao journey this year. His choice triggered heated debates online.
Supporters applaud his tenacity and the inspirational value of his story. “Tang represents the spirit of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes,” one netizen commented. Others argue that by getting into a good university, Tang has already achieved his goal and proved his abilities.
However, many netizens are critical, questioning the wisdom of Tang’s unconventional path. “What’s the point of wasting your youth on one exam?” a Weibo user asked. “There’s more to life than gaokao scores. He could have been working, gaining skills and contributing to society all these years.”
Speculation is also rife that Tang’s decision was influenced by his rising popularity as an Internet celebrity in recent years. With over 850,000 followers on Douyin and lucrative livestreaming and advertising deals, he now has alternative avenues to success. “He has tasted the sweet nectar of Internet fame and fortune,” a cynical commenter said. “Why would he go back to being a penniless gaokao repeater?”
At the center of the storm, Tang remains philosophical. “The gaokao has taught me the value of perseverance, but life is about more than just one goal,” he stated in a recent video. “It’s time for me to experience new things, learn and grow in different ways. University will be a new beginning.”
As Tang prepares to finally step into university life, his polarizing tale continues to spark reflections on the role of the gaokao, the definition of success, and the place of individualism in contemporary Chinese society. Only time will tell what the next chapter holds for China’s most famous gaokao repeater.