Self Study Exams Frustrate Many in China

Self Study Exams Frustrate Many in China | Generated by AI

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Question: Do people find the National Higher Education Self-study Examination (self-study exams in China) for associate degree (专科) and undergraduate degree (本科) very frustrating, especially since both require around 16 exams if taking them all by self-study?

Answer:

Yes, many people find the National Higher Education Self-study Examination (commonly called 自考 or self-taught higher education examination in China) quite frustrating and challenging, especially when completing all subjects purely through self-study without much external help.

The number of exams is typically around 15–16 for associate degree (专科) programs (专科 usually requires at least 15 courses, often around 16 in practice). For undergraduate (本科, usually 专升本), it is generally 12–16 courses (officially at least 13), depending on the major. Some majors have fewer (e.g., around 12 for easier humanities ones like Chinese language), while others have more (up to 18 in some cases). The claim of exactly 16 for both is a rough average but fairly common for many popular majors.

The frustration comes from several key factors:

High volume of subjects — Even if 12–16 courses sounds manageable, each is a full university-level exam (often national unified tests), and you must pass them one by one. Exams are held only twice a year (April and October), with a maximum of 4 subjects per session. This means completing everything often takes 2–4 years or longer for self-learners.
Self-study difficulty — Without structured classes, many struggle with motivation, time management, and understanding complex material (especially in subjects like math, law, or English). Passing rates for individual subjects can be low without good preparation.
Persistence required — Failing a subject means retaking it later, which delays graduation and causes discouragement. Many candidates report feeling burned out, especially when balancing full-time work and family.
Common experiences — Online forums (like Zhihu) and candidate stories often describe it as tough, with phrases like “very hard to persist,” “easy to give up,” or “requires strong willpower.” Some succeed quickly with good habits or easier majors, but pure self-study without tutoring or help frequently leads to frustration or dropping out. However, many also share positive stories of eventual success, saying the sense of achievement makes it worthwhile, and it builds strong self-discipline.

In short, while not impossible (hundreds of thousands graduate each year), the process is demanding and often frustrating for self-study candidates due to the number of exams, self-reliance, and long timeline. Choosing an easier major, using study aids, or joining tutorial classes significantly reduces the frustration level.

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