For families who prioritize their children's education, academic planning is no longer limited to the standard Gaokao path. In addition to international schools and studying abroad, the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students is an educational pathway that many families are focusing on.
Recently, the 2026 admission score thresholds for the National Joint Entrance Exam for various batches were officially announced, once again drawing attention from parents.
2026 National Joint Entrance Exam Score Thresholds Announced
According to the notice issued by the Guangdong Education Examinations Authority, the minimum admission score thresholds for the 2026 Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Students (hereinafter referred to as the National Joint Entrance Exam) for each batch are as follows:
1. Undergraduate Batch
• General Universities (Majors): 430 points for Liberal Arts, 445 points for Science (some universities implement a higher score threshold: 515 points for Liberal Arts, 535 points for Science)
• Art Universities (Majors): 330 points for Liberal Arts, 345 points for Science;
• Sports Universities (Majors): 330 points for Liberal Arts, 345 points for Science.
2. Preparatory Batch
Preparatory Universities: 410 points for Liberal Arts, 425 points for Science (among which, Jinan University requires 495 points for Liberal Arts and 515 points for Science).
Compared to last year, the main changes in this year's Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students score thresholds are: the Science score thresholds for all types of undergraduate and preparatory batches have been lowered by 15 points; the Liberal Arts score thresholds remain unchanged. The Liberal Arts preparatory threshold for Jinan University (211) increased by 5 points, while the Science threshold decreased by 25 points.
What exactly is the
Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students pathway?
The Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students, officially known as the "Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Students," is a domestic entrance exam specifically designed for overseas Chinese, as well as students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
More than 300 universities across the country participate in the recruitment, covering various levels and types of undergraduate institutions, including some "Double First-Class" universities, as well as former "Project 985" and "Project 211" universities. The National Joint Entrance Exam operates with independent registration, independent testing, and independent admission, and does not occupy the enrollment quotas of the standard Gaokao.
In 2026, the subjects for the National Joint Entrance Exam for Liberal Arts are Chinese, Mathematics, English, History, and Geography; for Science, they are Chinese, Mathematics, English, Physics, and Chemistry. Each subject is worth 150 points, for a total of 750 points. Liberal Arts students do not take Politics, and Science students do not take Biology. The overall difficulty of the exam is relatively low.
The number of registered candidates for the 2026 National Joint Entrance Exam is 12,449, which is relatively small compared to the scale of the national standard Gaokao. Regarding the selection of preferences, the National Joint Entrance Exam uses a parallel preference model. Candidates can apply to 10 undergraduate universities, with 6 major preferences per university; candidates applying for preparatory courses can apply to 5 university preparatory programs.
However, the exam and preference selection are only part of the academic advancement process. For families in mainland China, whether they can enter the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students pathway depends first on their eligibility for registration.
Whether you can participate in the Joint Exam
depends on three key points
First, your status must meet the requirements
The Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students is a pathway prepared for overseas Chinese and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Students with mainland household registration must first obtain long-term overseas residency status to register as an overseas Chinese student. Therefore, status is the first threshold for entering the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students pathway.
Second, residency time must meet the standards
For overseas Chinese candidates, the candidate and at least one parent must have obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence and have resided continuously in that country for 2 years, with no less than 18 months of cumulative residency within those two years. The candidate must have actually resided in the country of residence for no less than 18 months within the 2 years prior to registration.
If the candidate or one of their parents has not obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence, but has obtained legal residency status in the country of residence for 5 consecutive years or more (including 5 years), with no less than 30 months of cumulative residency within 5 years, and the candidate has actually resided in the country of residence for no less than 30 months within the 5 years prior to registration, they may also register.
Third, planning must be done in advance
The Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students requires completing both the status application and overseas residency requirements, which cannot be prepared for at the last minute. Taking the plan to participate in the 2029 Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students as an example:
• Second half of 2026: Initiate status planning and project assessment
• Before March 2027: Complete approval of third-country status
• April 2029: Complete the requirement of no less than 18 months of cumulative residency within the two years prior to registration, and complete registration for the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students
• May 2029: Return to China to participate in the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students
• September 2029: Begin studies at a domestic university
It is evident that for families hoping to connect to the 2029 Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students, they have already entered a critical stage of status planning. The earlier you start, the more beneficial it is to reserve sufficient time for status approval, residency arrangements, the child's academic transition, and overall family planning.
Currently, you can conduct status planning through the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program, Cyprus Permanent Residency Program, Malta Permanent Residence Program, Greece Permanent Residency Program, etc. This not only allows you to quickly obtain overseas Chinese student status and fulfill your child's dream of easily entering a top domestic university, but the whole family can also enjoy an international lifestyle at any time—truly achieving multiple goals at once!
For inquiries in mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong, China Customer Service Center: (852)2802 8798