Education authorities in Shanghai and Chengdu have addressed recent online speculation about the potential abolishment of the high school entrance exam, known as the zhongkao. They clarified that ongoing educational reforms aim to integrate middle and high school education rather than eliminate the exam. In Chengdu, a 12-year coherent training program will be piloted in eight schools starting in 2025, allowing students in specific continuous education classes to bypass the zhongkao if they choose. However, students retain the option to take the exam if they wish to exit the program. The Chengdu Education Bureau emphasized that this pilot is limited in scope and does not signify a citywide cancellation of the zhongkao. The reform seeks to create a seamless educational pathway from primary to high school, shifting focus from exam scores to holistic student development. Similarly, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission explained that its new plan for improving high school education quality includes piloting a longer-term coherent training model. This approach aims to unify curriculum design and optimize resource sharing across school stages but does not imply the abolishment of the zhongkao. The commission highlighted that this flexible model helps manage enrollment fluctuations and enhances resource efficiency by promoting cross-campus sharing of facilities like labs and libraries. While some parents have long advocated for the zhongkao’s abolishment, fearing it forces students into vocational schools, authorities have reiterated that the exam remains a crucial academic assessment. Vocational education continues to be an integral part of the education system, offering diverse pathways for students with varying strengths. The 2022 revision of the Vocational Education Law further emphasized the importance of vocational education as a parallel pathway to regular education, calling for greater integration between the two systems.