On February 24, the Ministry of Education issued the "Basic Requirements for the Preliminary Test Results of Candidates in the 2025 National Master's Admissions Examination to Enter the Re-Examination" (National Score Line). The Paper compared the national scores for postgraduate entrance examinations in 2024 and found that the national scores for most majors in single subjects and total scores in 2025 are lower than those in 2024.

On February 24, the results of the 2025 postgraduate entrance examination preliminary examination began to be announced one after another, and topics related to postgraduate entrance examination English were on the hot search list on social platforms. Many netizens said that their postgraduate entrance examination English first were relatively low. Some netizens also said that in the second World War, the English score in the first grade dropped from more than 60 points to more than 40 points. There are also big Vs in the field of English who took the postgraduate entrance examination and posted on social platforms saying that "the national line must be reduced, especially in English."

In fact, the national line for postgraduate entrance examinations has really dropped compared to 2024.

The Paper noticed that judging from the national scores for postgraduate entrance examinations in 2025 released by the Ministry of Education, the national scores for most majors for single subjects and total scores are lower than in 2024. Unlike the college entrance examination, the national score line for postgraduate entrance examinations is drawn separately for the total score, single subject (full score = 100 points, including English or other foreign languages ​​and politics), and single subject (full score > 100 points, professional courses), which means that the single subject line for postgraduate entrance examinations in most majors has indeed dropped.

For example: the national line for postgraduate entrance examinations in philosophy, the total score line for Class A candidates last year was 333 points, the single subject (full score = 100 points) line was 47 points, and the single subject (full score > 100 points) line was 71 points; while the three score lines in 2025 were 321 points, 39 points, and 59 points, respectively, 12 points, 8 points and 12 points lower than last year.

Similarly, the above three score lines for the A-class candidates in literature last year were 365 points, 55 points and 83 points respectively; while in 2025, they were 351 points, 47 points and 71 points respectively, 14 points, 8 points and 12 points lower than last year.

Last year, the above three score lines for Class A candidates in various disciplines and majors in science were 288 points, 41 points, and 62 points respectively; in 2025, they were 274 points, 34 points and 51 points respectively, 14 points, 7 points and 11 points lower than last year.

Last year, the above three score lines for Class A candidates were 260 points, 35 points and 53 points respectively; in 2025, they were 251 points, 33 points and 50 points respectively, 9 points, 2 points and 3 points lower than last year. Last year, the above three score lines for Class A candidates in other disciplines and majors in engineering were 273 points, 37 points and 56 points respectively, and 260 points, 34 points and 51 points respectively in 2025, 13 points, 3 points and 5 points lower than last year.

The basic requirements for candidates to enter the re-examination for the 2025 National Master's Admissions Examination. Source: Official website of the Ministry of Education

The basic requirements for candidates to enter the re-examination for the 2024 National Master's Admissions Examination. Figure source: Official website of the Ministry of Education

In addition, last year, the accounting and audit majors of the categories of literature, education, history, and management, and the single subject (full score = 100 points) of Class A candidates - that is, the score lines of English (foreign language) and political subjects, were above 50 points; and among the national score lines announced in 2025, the single subject (full score = 100 points) of Class A candidates in all majors were below 50 points. Among all subjects and majors that have been announced in the national line, more than half of the majors with a single subject (full score = 100 points) line below 40 points.

The national scores of Class B candidates and Class A candidates are consistent, and the national scores of most majors for single subjects and total scores are lower than in 2024.

The above-mentioned Class A candidate refers to candidates who apply for admissions units located in 21 provinces and cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing, Sichuan, Shaanxi and other 21 provinces and cities. Class B candidates refer to candidates who apply for admissions units in District 2 (Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang and other 10 provinces and regions).

In addition, according to the information of the Ministry of Education, each enrollment unit shall independently determine and announce the preliminary examination score requirements and other academic requirements for candidates applying for their units to enter the re-examination based on the national score line in accordance with the "2025 National Master's Admissions Management Regulations".

The "Transfer Intention Collection System" in the "China Postgraduate Admissions Information Network" will be launched on March 28. Admission units that have completed their first-choice admission can publish adjustment information. Candidates who are willing to transfer can query and fill in the intention information. The "Adjustment Service System" will be launched on April 8. When the number of students passing the first choice is insufficient, the enrollment unit may organize adjustment work. The admissions unit accepts transfer applications for all candidates (including candidates applying for the "Retired College Student Soldier Program" and the general program, etc.) must be carried out through the Ministry of Education's "Adjustment Service System". Candidates who are willing to transfer are advised to pay close attention to the "China Postgraduate Admissions Information Network". At that time, log in to the transfer system and the website of the admissions unit to check the transfer information of the admissions unit, and fill in the transfer application as required.