China gaokao wins: sister skips 2 grades to study with brother, rejects ‘prodigy’ label

Two teenage siblings from eastern China excelled in this year’s gaokao, leading to their acceptance into the country’s top universities and igniting intense discussions surrounding their exceptional talents and family education.Xu Haotian, 17, and his sister Xu Haolin, 15, achieved scores of 688 and 699 out of a maximum of 750, respectively, in this year’s national university entrance exam.Haolin’s score placed her among the top 100 in Anhui province, and notably, she completed her six-year primary school education in just four years, making her significantly younger than her peers.Haotian has secured a spot at the University of Science and Technology, while sister Haolin has been accepted into the prestigious Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. Photo: The PaperHaotian has been accepted into the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Science and Technology, while Haolin has gained admission to the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University.Haotian expressed his surprise at his younger sister’s remarkable accomplishment.“She’s incredible. I can proudly tell my future classmates that my sister is in Peking University’s Guanghua School, and she’s two years younger than we are.”He mentioned that she attended secondary school alongside him and topped their first mid-term exam.Their father enthusiastically shared numerous posts celebrating their achievements, drawing an outpouring of congratulations.Some have labelled Haolin a “prodigy,” but she humbly disagrees with that designation.“I don’t think my talent and intelligence warrant such a title,” she said modestly.Younger sister Xu Haolin, 15, who scored 699 out of 750, was seen checking the results with her parents. Photo: The PaperRegarding their secret to success, both siblings emphasised that learning efficiency is more crucial than the sheer volume of exercises completed.Further ReadingHaotian highlighted the importance of mindset.“A calm mindset helps us perform our best during exams.”Haolin added that one effective method to alleviate anxiety is to take breaks when feeling overwhelmed. They recommend taking the time to reflect on mistakes and seek guidance from teachers and peers.When facing study pressure, Haotian finds relief in solving a Rubik’s Cube, boasting the ability to complete a 3x3x3 cube in just nine seconds.Haolin enjoys music and dance as well; she has passed the Grade 10 piano exam in China, which is the highest certification available for amateurs, and she also plays the violin.In her spare time, Haolin enjoys playing the violin, firmly rejecting the label of “prodigy” despite her remarkable accomplishments. Photo: The PaperThis year, 12.9 million students registered for the gaokao. Acceptance rates to first-tier universities vary by province; in Anhui, around half of the candidates were accepted, with seven per cent achieving scores over 600.“What kind of family produces such outstanding siblings?” pondered an online observer.“She is too modest. Hard work alone isn’t enough to gain admission to Peking University,” remarked another.