The new gaokao reform, rolled out province by province since 2014, replaced the old 文科/理科 split with a '3+1+2' or '3+3' subject-choice system.
In '3+1+2', all students take Chinese, math, and English. They then choose one of physics or history as their primary elective (the '1'), and two more from among chemistry, biology, geography, and political science (the '2').
In '3+3', the same three core subjects plus three chosen freely from a wider pool. Shanghai and Zhejiang piloted this format.
The chosen subjects are scored by percentile-conversion (等级赋分) rather than raw points. This is meant to fairly compare, say, a chemistry student and a geography student — but it introduces a strategic layer.
Universities and majors declare subject requirements. A physics-track student can apply to most STEM majors; a history-track student is largely restricted to humanities and business. Choose your electives with your intended major in mind, in tenth grade.
By 2026, the majority of provinces are on some form of the new gaokao. Check your province's specific implementation — the details matter.