The college entrance examination has been held in July for more than 20 years. Why was it changed to June?

Author: Yuan Shuo, Gao Yuxing, Zhan Mingjin Professor of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Jiangxi Ecological Meteorological Center

The annual college entrance examination season is here again. Do you still remember your own experiences when you took the college entrance examination? When you took the college entrance examination, did you ever feel nervous before the exam, forget to bring your exam supplies, rush to the wrong examination room, oversleep and arrive late, or forget to bring your ID card?

The college entrance examination is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that it is the most important exam in life, as it determines a person's future development direction. However, this exam has not always been what we see today, but has undergone many reforms and evolutions before becoming the college entrance examination we see today.

In 1977, China resumed the college entrance examination system. Since 1979, the college entrance examination has been held in July for more than 20 years. However, a historic change occurred in 2001. With the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Education decided to change the college entrance examination to June starting in 2003. Do you know the reason for this change?

Image source: Southern Metropolis Daily

1

Weather and climate are the decisive factors

In fact, when choosing the date for the college entrance examination, in addition to comprehensively considering various factors such as students' physical and mental health, campus activities, course progress, etc., it is also closely related to weather and climate conditions.

June is the best time of summer in my country. After June, the southern region has heavy rainfall, and many areas are prone to floods, mudslides and other adverse conditions, which can easily affect the candidates. After June, the north enters the hot summer period, which has a greater impact on the students' test state. Some students may suffer from sudden illnesses due to heat stroke and other reasons.

Generally speaking, candidates are very nervous when taking the college entrance examination. If they are in a high temperature and poorly ventilated environment, they will sweat faster, lose a lot of water, salt and electrolytes in their bodies, and are more likely to suffer from heat stroke than usual . Therefore, high temperature weather is likely to affect the normal performance of candidates.

Rainfall and severe convective weather may affect the travel of candidates . Once the time for the exam is too tight, candidates' emotions are prone to fluctuate and their mental pressure will increase. If heavy rains cause floods, the most direct impact is the inconvenience caused to candidates in transportation. Sometimes candidates may even be temporarily transferred or postpone the college entrance examination. These are bound to bring psychological and physical pressure to candidates, and also add unnecessary burdens to local governments and education departments. Especially in July, although different regions in China may encounter different weather processes, high temperatures and rainfall have a greater impact on exams, which is very unfavorable for candidates' review for exams, organization of exam marking, and parents' care for candidates, and it leaves the most profound impression on people.

Weather map for June 8, 2023

Source | China Weather

2

Temperature comparison between June and July

According to big data from 1981 to 2019, from June 7 to 9, the average maximum temperature in provincial capital cities was mostly between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, and only 30 percent exceeded 30 degrees Celsius.

National temperature forecast for June 7-8, 2023

Source | China Weather

However, from July 7 to 9, the temperature rose significantly, with the average maximum temperature in 60% of provincial capital cities reaching 30℃ or above. Statistics show that the average maximum temperature in 81% of provincial capital cities during the college entrance examination in July was 1℃ or above higher than that in June . The biggest temperature difference was in Chongqing, where the average maximum temperature from June 7 to 9 was only 28.3℃, while the average maximum temperature from July 7 to 9 was as high as 32.7℃, a difference of 4.4℃; Shanghai and Hangzhou ranked second and third with a difference of 4.2℃ and 4℃ respectively.

Although the average maximum temperature is obviously hotter in July, for some areas in the north, the extreme high temperatures encountered in July may not be more severe than those in June. Meteorological monitoring data show that Zhengzhou experienced high temperatures of over 40℃ for two consecutive days from June 7 to 8, 2011, especially on June 8, when the highest temperature reached 42.5℃; and the highest temperature in the history of the July college entrance examination in Zhengzhou was 40.1℃, which occurred on July 9, 1985.

3

Comparison of rainfall in June and July

The probability of encountering high temperatures during the college entrance examination in July is significantly higher than in June, but judging from the probability of rainfall, many southern cities can still reduce the probability of encountering rainy days during the college entrance examination in July .

According to the big data statistics of China Weather Network, the probability of rainfall in Nanchang, Haikou, Guiyang, Changsha, Fuzhou and other cities from June 7 to 9 was above 40%, but the probability of rainfall from July 7 to 9 was significantly reduced, mostly below 40%, with the largest drop in Nanchang, where the probability of rainfall dropped from 47% to 29.9%. In addition, the probability of heavy rainfall in Guiyang, Guangzhou, Haikou and Shanghai from July 7 to 9 was also reduced by more than 5% compared with June 7 to 9.

The situation in the north is different. As the rain belt moves northward, the rainfall in the south decreases, while the rainfall probability in most parts of the north increases. The rainfall probability in Xining, Shijiazhuang, Yinchuan, and Beijing from July 7 to 9 increased by more than 13% compared with June 7 to 9. In addition, the increase in Lhasa was as high as 24.8%. In terms of the probability of heavy rainfall, the probability of heavy rainfall in Beijing, Jinan, Shenyang, Chengdu, and Tianjin from July 7 to 9 increased by more than 5% compared with June 7 to 9.

In general, the Ministry of Education has conducted very rigorous investigations and research on the rescheduling of the college entrance examination. The China Meteorological Administration provided the Ministry of Education with relevant meteorological information such as the highest temperature, lowest temperature, average temperature, average precipitation, and typhoon frequency in 31 provincial capital cities across the country from June 10 to 20 and July 5 to 15 from 1995 to 2000. The data showed that the average temperature from June 10 to 20 was 23.738℃, while the average temperature from July 5 to 15 was 25.326℃; the temperature difference between day and night in June was about 10℃, which was greater than the less than 9℃ during the college entrance examination in July, and the average incidence of typhoons and floods was also lower than in July. The Ministry of Education determined on the basis of information comparison and repeated demonstration that it is more appropriate to change the college entrance examination time to June every year for the sake of candidates and people related to the college entrance examination across the country.

National precipitation forecast map from June 6 to June 7

Image source: People's Daily

In combination with the suggestion of members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 1999 to appropriately advance the college entrance examination and meteorological statistical data, as well as the calls from all sectors of society to advance the time of the college entrance examination, the Ministry of Education decided to change the time of the college entrance examination to June of each year based on investigation, research, information comparison, repeated argumentation, and extensive listening to the opinions of middle schools, colleges and universities, provincial-level people's governments, education administration, admissions and examination departments.

However, the occurrence of extreme weather in early June cannot be ignored. As the subtropical high pressure moves northward, the plum rain season comes earlier, and the Yangtze and Huaihe River basins maintain a stable and lasting rain belt with heavy precipitation and long duration. There are often intermittent showers or thunderstorms, and sometimes heavy rains. In addition, the encounter between cold and warm air can cause severe local weather, such as thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. Precipitation and severe convective weather may affect transportation, electricity, buildings, and personal safety, and cause waterlogging, mountain torrents, mudslides and other disasters. Therefore, during the college entrance examination, it is necessary for relevant personnel to pay attention to weather forecast information, be prepared, and ensure that the college entrance examination is carried out smoothly.

4

What preparations should college entrance examination candidates make?

So, from the perspective of coping with climate change, what preparations should college entrance examination candidates make? Here are a few suggestions:

>>>> What should we do if there is heavy rain, thunderstorm and strong wind during the college entrance examination?

1. Pay attention to the latest forecast and make reasonable travel plans. Rainfall will have an adverse effect on traffic. It is recommended that candidates reserve sufficient time and try to leave for the examination venue as early as possible. If necessary, they can ask the traffic police for help.

2. If you encounter strong convective weather such as thunderstorms and strong winds on the road, you should stay away from temporary structures such as billboards and scaffolding as soon as possible to prevent falling from heights.

3. In case of short-term heavy rainfall and water accumulation on some sections of the road, vehicles should avoid going to tunnels and other low-lying areas. When pedestrians walk in the water, they should pay attention to the location of the drainage wells to prevent falling.

>>>> What should I do if I encounter hot weather during the college entrance examination?

1. Supplement with light salt water or energy drinks appropriately, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, eat a light diet, and avoid overeating frozen cold drinks to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.

2. Choose clothes that are breathable and sweat-absorbent. Natural fibers such as cotton and linen usually feel dry, are light and breathable, and are cool to wear.

3. Use hats, sun-protective clothing, parasols, etc. to block ultraviolet rays and avoid direct sunlight.

4. Candidates should pay attention to combining work and rest, get enough sleep, and take a nap at noon. In addition, keep a happy mood and calm your mind.

The college entrance examination is approaching. I hope that all students can maintain their mentality, perform steadily, and achieve their best results!