China launched its 2026 National College Entrance Examination, known as gaokao, on June 7 with extensive security measures to combat AI-assisted cheating [1, 2]. Candidates wearing eyeglasses face additional scrutiny, including mandatory removal of glasses for inspection under video surveillance before entering exam rooms [2].
Several provinces, including Guangdong, Shanghai, Fujian, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and Guizhou, issued detailed requirements targeting smart glasses equipped with cameras, wireless connections, or AI features. These devices are considered a significant cheating risk [2]. Guangdong’s education authority ordered candidates with glasses to remove them for inspection under video surveillance starting June 2, shortly before the exam began [2].
Inner Mongolia adopted a strict "zero-tolerance" policy on smart glasses, barring their use and requiring candidates to switch to conventional eyewear during the gaokao [2]. Any devices capable of sending or receiving information taken into exam rooms are classified as cheating. Offenders face penalties including invalidation of all subject scores [2].
Authorities incorporated AI countermeasures combined with advanced surveillance tools to clamp down on tech-enabled fraud at the nationwide university entrance exam [1]. The gaokao remains one of the most important examinations in China, driving rigorous efforts to secure its integrity.
The 2026 gaokao is underway with these enhanced precautions to prevent cheating via smart glasses and other AI-enabled devices. Further monitoring will continue throughout the exam period to enforce the new rules [1, 2].
