School Age Calculator (China)
When a child starts school in ChinaRuns locally · nothing uploaded
Starts primary school
Sep 2026
Now
—
| Stage | When | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Starts kindergarten | Sep 2023 | 3 |
| Starts grade 1 | Sep 2026 | 6 |
| Finishes primary | Jul 2032 | 11 |
| Starts junior high | Sep 2032 | 12 |
| Zhongkao exam | Jun 2035 | 14 |
| Starts senior high | Sep 2035 | 15 |
| Gaokao exam | Jun 2038 | 17 |
| Starts university | Sep 2038 | 18 |
| Graduates | Jun 2042 | 21 |
Assumes children start primary school in September if they turn 6 by the cutoff and kindergarten at 3. Local rules vary; check the local education bureau's enrollment notice.
Based on common rules; check the local education bureau's enrollment notice.
Also works as:china school starting ageprimary school age cutoff chinagaokao year calculator
How it works
Formula
Grade 1 year = birth year + 6 (born on or before the cutoff) or + 7, starting in SeptemberWorked example
Given: Born 15 Aug 2020, Aug 31 cutoff, 6-3-3 system
- Before the cutoff: 2020 + 6 = grade 1 in Sep 2026.
- Zhongkao in June 2035, gaokao in June 2038.
Result: Starts primary school in September 2026.
Sources
- Compulsory Education Law of the PRC, Article 11
How to use
- 1Enter the date of birth and local cutoff.
- 2Pick the school system and university length.
- 3See each milestone with the child's age.
FAQ
What's the usual cutoff?
Most regions admit children who turn 6 by August 31 into grade 1 that September.
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