Summary of the Core Message
The main argument of this article is that the college entrance examination (Gaokao) serves as a cost-effective ticket for ordinary people to move up social circles and deserves their full commitment. However, the traditional lifestyle logic of “high scores → good universities → good jobs → a stable life” is no longer effective. The inflation of academic qualifications has diluted the value of diplomas, and AI has directly impacted core skills such as memorization and procedural reasoning that are cultivated through exam-oriented education. To avoid being eliminated in the future, one must possess three “human-like” abilities: maintaining curiosity, being able to define problems, and knowing how to use new tools effectively. The real challenges of life begin after the Gaokao.
Detailed Analysis
#### 1. The True Value of the Gaokao: A Ticket, Not a Destination
Is the Gaokao important? Absolutely. The author calls it “the most cost-effective ticket for ordinary people to move up social circles” because humans are social animals, and relationships with classmates and alumni can provide a lifetime network of trust (for example, attending a prestigious university means being surrounded by more talented individuals, which opens up more opportunities for cooperation and mutual assistance). For children from ordinary families, the Gaokao is the most efficient way to access higher social circles without relying on background or financial resources.
However, do not consider the Gaokao as the end of your life. The past fifty years’ belief that “high scores = good universities = good jobs = a stable life” no longer holds true due to changes in society and the advent of AI, which has also led to an inflation of academic qualifications. The Gaokao provides you with a good starting point, but the path ahead depends on new skills.
#### 2. Why the Traditional Education Logic No Longer Works
There are two major factors contributing to this change:
- Inflation of Academic Qualifications: There are now more and more college and graduate students, so a bachelor’s degree may no longer be sufficient for entering good jobs.
- The Demolishing Impact of AI: Exam-oriented education focuses on memorizing facts, solving standardized problems, and using procedural reasoning (e.g., applying formulas). AI can perform these tasks 100 times faster than humans and without making mistakes or needing rest. The skills you’ve acquired through years of study are insignificant in the face of AI.
The author also notes a common phenomenon among East Asian students (China, Japan, South Korea): they are good at solving problems but struggle to ask questions and remain silent when faced with open-ended challenges. This is not the fault of the students; it’s a flaw in traditional education, which was designed for the industrial era’s need for mass-produced, standardized talent, without focusing on imagination, empathy, and independent judgment.
#### 3. Three Core Abilities to Survive in the Future
AI will not eliminate humans; it will eliminate those who cannot adapt to new circumstances. The three essential abilities for success in the future are:
- Maintaining Curiosity: Many people stop learning after the Gaokao or obtain their degrees and rely on past experiences. Curiosity is a habit that can be cultivated by actively seeking out new knowledge and technologies (e.g., learning AI tools or understanding new industries). Those who lose curiosity tend to become outdated quickly.
- Defining Problems, Not Just Solving Them: While AI can provide perfect answers, it cannot determine which questions are worth asking. For example, when a company faces declining performance, AI may suggest 10 solutions, but you need to identify the root cause (whether it’s a product issue or a marketing problem). This ability is rarely taught in schools but is crucial as it requires making informed decisions.
- Mastering Tools without Being Old-Fashioned: Every technological change presents an opportunity for social mobility. Those who quickly learn to use new tools (e.g., using AI to write reports or analyze data) will gain a competitive advantage. The author gives the example of consultants who still rely on manual PPT creation, falling behind in the modern workplace.
#### 4. Final Advice for Examinees
- Give Your All in the Gaokao: It’s the most equitable opportunity for upward mobility, so don’t waste it.
- Shift Your Thinking After the Gaokao: Stop focusing on standard answers and start developing curiosity, learning to identify problems, and using new tools.
- This Is Your Chance: The old evaluation system (the Gaokao) is ending, but the new one (based on future skills) has not yet been established. Everyone is on an equal footing; those who adapt to the new rules first will succeed.
In One Sentence
The Gaokao is a ticket, not a destination. AI will eliminate “robotic” individuals; what’s needed in the future are people who are curious, capable of defining problems, and skilled in using tools. These qualities will be your true competitive edge.
(End of Article)