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Corruption in college admissions examinations in China

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  • Liu, Qijun
  • Peng, Yaping

Abstract

This paper examines corruption in college admissions examinations in China. A survey was administered among college students of arts and related majors across China. Based on the data, the magnitude of corruption in the admissions examinations is measured and the causes and consequences thereof are investigated. It is found that the objective level of corruption is 15.8 percent while the subjective level is 47.3 percent. Lack of transparency, poor design of the examinations, the subjects’ tolerance of corruption, high levels of corruption propensity, and high income expectations in future careers are identified as the main causes of corruption. Corruption in the examinations lowers student trust in the accountability of faculty and staff in higher educational institutions and this degrading trust in turn exacerbates bribery among new generations of examinees, which results in a vicious cycle of corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Qijun & Peng, Yaping, 2015. "Corruption in college admissions examinations in China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 104-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:41:y:2015:i:c:p:104-111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.02.003
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    2. Yang, Li & Milanović, Branko & Lin, Yaoqi, 2023. "Anti-corruption campaign in China: An empirical investigation," ZEW Discussion Papers 23-052, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    3. Lijie Song, 2021. "Does Public Investment Promote Intergenerational Mobility? Who Really Benefits?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 59-80, November.
    4. Martin Mosler, 2020. "Autocrats in the United Nations General Assembly: A Test of the Decoy Voting Hypothesis," ifo Working Paper Series 340, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
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    6. Aidt, Toke S. & Hillman, Arye L. & Qijun, LIU, 2020. "Who takes bribes and how much? Evidence from the China Corruption Conviction Databank," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    7. Li, Jun & Magda Nutsa, Kobakhidze & Qin, Hanyu, 2024. "Unveiling shadow admissions to lower secondary schools: Brokerage practices amid mainland China’s strong regulations on private tutoring," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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