Chinese Teen Locked Out By Parents Over Low University Exam Score: 'Don't Ask Us For Help'

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 19:06 IST

Xiaokai, a high school student in China, was locked out by his parents after scoring 575 in the Gaokao exam.

The incident took place in Huaihua in central Hunan province. (Representative image: Pixabay)

A high school student in China was reportedly locked out of his home by his parents after they expressed disappointment with his performance in the country’s national college entrance exam, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

The incident took place in Huaihua in central Hunan province where a student, identified as Xiaokai, scored 575 out of a possible 750 in Gaokao- China’s notoriously competitive university entrance examination. While the score is considered strong by national standards, Xiaokai’s parents believed it fell short of expectations for entry into one of China’s prestigious “985" universities- a network of 39 elite institutions known for their academic excellence and competitive admissions.

Xiaokai, once a top-performing student, reportedly saw a decline in his academic focus after his parents bought him a mobile phone two years ago. His parents blamed the device for his perceived distraction and poor performance, accusing him of skipping classes and spending excessive time on the phone. “He even played truant to spend time with the gadget," his father told SCMP.

Following the exam results, Xiaokai said his parents cut off his financial support. When he contacted his mother to ask why he couldn’t enter the house, she claimed to be on a business trip and said she did not know the new code. She then told him, “There is no place in the world without rules… Let’s live our lives separately."

His father gave him an ultimatum to either return home and strictly follow their rules or leave and find work to support himself. Xiaokai, currently awaiting his admission result- expected mid-July- turned to local media for help. Speaking to Hunan TV, he said his parents made it clear they would not pay for his university education unless he secured a spot in a top university.

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