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English's significance: Exam performance by subject and future income in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jia, Ruixue
  • Li, Hongbin
  • Qin, Yu
  • Wang, Qiuyi
  • Wu, Jing

Abstract

Each year, millions of college applicants worldwide take standardized tests, with research consistently linking test performance to various life outcomes, notably career success. This study investigates the predictive power of subject test scores in China's National College Entrance Exam (NCEE) on future income outcomes, analyzing administrative data for around 190,000 individuals born between 1980 and 1985. While Chinese, Math, and English all positively correlate with future income, English emerges as the most influential predictor. This influence remains consistent across different career stages, underscoring the enduring significance of English proficiency. Our results demonstrate the value of English skills over the past few decades in China, the largest developing country that was rapidly integrated into the global economy, and have implications for education policies beyond China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia, Ruixue & Li, Hongbin & Qin, Yu & Wang, Qiuyi & Wu, Jing, 2026. "English's significance: Exam performance by subject and future income in China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:181:y:2026:i:c:s0304387826000398
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103756
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    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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