Score Inflation in China's Higher Education System: A Shift from Elite to Mass Education

Score Inflation Signals China's Shift to Mass Higher Education

According to Professor Qi Li from the Institute of Higher Education Research at Beijing Normal University, higher education has been transitioning from an elite model to a mass education system globally since the 1960s. China is no exception to this trend, experiencing significant score inflation as a result.

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. The 'Blue Book of Examinations: China College Entrance Examination Report (2019)' reveals that China's gross higher education enrollment rate has reached 45.7%, surpassing the average for middle and high-income countries. This increasing demand for higher education, coupled with competitive university employment rates, has created an environment where score inflation is almost unavoidable.

As China's higher education system continues its evolution toward mass education, score inflation and certificate inflation are likely to persist. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for students, educators, and policymakers alike.