How did the Cultural Revolution change university admissions in China?

During the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government fundamentally dismantled the existing university admissions process to combat what it perceived as elitism within the educational system. In June 1966, the government officially abolished entrance examinations for universities and called for a reform of admission procedures, leading to a widespread delay in the reopening of campuses.12

As the movement progressed, academic qualifications were largely replaced by political fervor and ideological orthodoxy as the primary prerequisites for advancement. Education was significantly curtailed, and many students and intellectuals were sent to rural areas for long-term settlement and reeducation to identify with the laboring masses. During this period, management of educational institutions was often taken over by "Mao Zedong thought propaganda teams," which were composed of workers, peasants, and soldiers who prioritized political loyalty over academic expertise. It was not until after the death of Mao Zedong and the end of the Cultural Revolution that the conventional school system, including competitive college entrance examinations, was reinstated to support national modernization efforts.34