Core Viewpoint - The increasing integration of AI in the college entrance examination (Gaokao) application process is transforming how students and parents approach this critical decision, with various AI tools providing personalized guidance and support [2][3][4]. Group 1: AI Tools and Services - Numerous mobile applications related to Gaokao have emerged, with significant players like QQ Browser, Baidu, and Alibaba's Quark launching AI-driven services to assist students in filling out their college applications [2][3]. - Quark's AI Gaokao model offers tailored suggestions based on students' scores, interests, and career aspirations, helping them navigate the complexities of college selection [2][3]. - The Quark platform has served over 160 million users, with more than 50% of them coming from third-tier cities and below, highlighting the demand for accessible guidance in less developed areas [3][4]. Group 2: Data and Technology - Quark's Gaokao model is built on a comprehensive and real-time updated knowledge base that includes data from over 2,900 universities and nearly 1,600 undergraduate programs, ensuring the reliability of its recommendations [4][5]. - The model utilizes advanced data extraction and verification techniques, such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and multi-source data comparison, to maintain the accuracy and authority of its information [4][5]. Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - Despite the proliferation of AI tools, there are concerns regarding the accuracy and timeliness of the data used, with some users reporting discrepancies in AI-generated recommendations [6][7]. - Experts emphasize that while AI can provide valuable insights, it cannot fully replace the personal judgment and emotional considerations that students must make when choosing their fields of study and institutions [7].

Core Insights - The article discusses the increasing reliance on AI technology in the college admission process in China, particularly for high school students filling out their college applications after the national college entrance examination [1][6][11] - Major internet companies like Quark, Baidu, and Tencent are providing free AI-assisted services to help students and parents navigate the complex college application landscape, emphasizing the importance of information equity [5][13] Group 1: AI in College Admission - AI technology is bridging the information gap in college admissions, providing valuable insights and support to students, especially in rural areas where access to information is limited [6][7] - Quark has significantly increased its computational resources, reportedly by 100 times compared to the previous year, to handle the surge in demand for college application reports [3][4] - The AI tools developed by these companies can analyze vast amounts of data, including student preferences and academic performance, to generate tailored application suggestions [9][10] Group 2: Market Dynamics and User Engagement - Over the past seven years, Quark has served more than 120 million students and parents, with over 50% of users coming from third-tier cities and below, highlighting the demand for quality information in underdeveloped regions [7] - The article notes that AI tools can address 80% of standardized needs in the application process, but human experts remain essential for nuanced decision-making and emotional support [11][12] - The ongoing free services provided by these tech giants reflect a strategic move to build user loyalty and engagement within the young demographic of college applicants [13][14]

Core Insights - The number of candidates registered for the national college entrance examination (Gaokao) in 2025 has exceeded 13.35 million, marking a historical high, which presents unprecedented challenges for students and parents [1] - The implementation of new Gaokao reforms across 29 provinces has shifted the admissions model towards a more complex strategy involving "institutional major groups" or "major + institution," making the application process more about information and strategy rather than just scores [1] - The rapid development of technology and industry changes significantly influence students' choice of majors and future employment directions, highlighting the need for effective decision-making tools [1] Group 1: Volunteer Application Tools - The "Sunshine Volunteer" application, backed by official data from the Ministry of Education and universities, offers a comprehensive and practical interface for students to navigate the application process [2][3] - Users can receive personalized recommendations based on key metrics such as exam scores and rankings through features like "intelligent screening" and "major inclination assessment" [2][3] - Despite its advantages, users have reported issues with the system's recommendation accuracy and adaptability to new Gaokao rules, indicating areas for improvement [4] Group 2: High School Volunteer Tools - "Gaokao Paper Kite" is a lightweight application that allows users to search for information easily, providing a conversational interface for inquiries [5][8] - The application emphasizes a free and convenient approach, catering to users who need quick answers and initial guidance [9] - "Quark" offers a detailed input process for user preferences, enabling more precise recommendations based on individual goals and strategies [11][14] - "Quark" has a large user base, having served over 120 million candidates and parents, indicating its popularity and relevance in the market [24] Group 3: Paid Applications - "Youzhiyuan" provides advanced features such as AI-driven recommendations and risk analysis for college applications, enhancing user experience [35][39] - The application introduces a unique "major group purity" metric to help users minimize the risk of being assigned to less desirable majors [39] - "Reliable AI" claims a significant improvement in prediction accuracy for college admissions, utilizing extensive data analysis to enhance user decision-making [41][44] Group 4: Market Trends and User Needs - The increasing number of candidates and the complexity of new Gaokao reforms necessitate the continuous evolution of volunteer application tools to meet diverse user needs [24][47] - The tools range from free applications to paid services, catering to various levels of user requirements, from basic information to in-depth personalized guidance [47] - Ultimately, the effectiveness of these tools relies on the candidates' ability to integrate the information provided with their personal aspirations and circumstances [47]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing role of AI in college application processes, highlighting its popularity among students and parents during the college admission season, while also addressing the limitations and potential pitfalls of relying solely on AI for such important decisions [1][2][3]. Group 1: AI in College Application - AI college application tools have gained significant traction, with companies like Baidu reporting over 10 million users utilizing their AI application assistant and related services [1]. - Various internet companies, regardless of their primary business focus, are heavily investing in AI college application tools, likening it to a major sales event akin to "Double 11" in China [1]. - The search engine results for "AI志愿" prominently feature both proprietary products and advertisements for competing services, indicating a competitive market landscape [1]. Group 2: Limitations of AI Tools - While AI significantly lowers the barriers to entry for college application consulting, it still faces challenges regarding data accuracy and the potential for "AI hallucinations" where the recommendations may not suit every individual [2][3]. - Current AI tools primarily rely on historical data and may not have direct access to real-time admission data from educational institutions, which raises concerns about the precision of their recommendations [2]. - The subjective nature of college preferences, such as personal interests and job prospects, complicates the effectiveness of AI recommendations, as these factors are difficult to quantify and may lead to misleading suggestions [2][3]. Group 3: Caution in Usage - The complexity of college application decisions necessitates a balanced approach where human judgment should take precedence over AI tools, which should serve as supplementary aids [3]. - Users are advised to remain cautious of products that promise guaranteed admissions, as the decision-making process involves numerous variables that cannot be simplified into a few input lines [3][4].

Core Insights - Baidu has reported that over 10 million users have utilized its AI Volunteer Assistant and related services for pre-filling college applications [1] - This year, Baidu upgraded its AI application for college admissions, integrating multiple large models including Wenxin and DeepSeek-R1, which support natural language dialogue [1] - The upgraded AI simplifies the complex college application process, enabling in-depth analysis and tailored admission suggestions without the need to switch apps for comparing multiple options [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing reliance on AI tools for college entrance exam (Gaokao) application guidance, highlighting the competition among major internet companies to provide effective AI solutions for students and their families [1][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - The AI college application tool market is thriving, with major companies like Quark, Baidu, and ByteDance launching various AI-driven products to assist students in filling out their applications [3][4]. - Over 10 million users utilized AI application assistants on June 25, 2024, indicating a growing trend in AI adoption among students [3][4]. - The market is particularly appealing for users from lower-tier cities, with over 50% of Quark's users coming from these areas since 2019 [3]. Group 2: Product Development - AI application tools have seen significant upgrades in database capabilities, reasoning skills, and personalized experiences compared to previous years [4][5]. - Quark has enhanced its knowledge base by integrating data from various authoritative sources, improving the accuracy of its AI-generated reports [4][5]. - Companies like Baidu and iFlytek have focused on improving user interaction and decision-making experiences through upgraded conversational AI features [4][5]. Group 3: User Experience and Challenges - The competition among AI application products centers on precision, speed, usability, and personalized experiences, with a focus on meeting user needs efficiently [5][11]. - AI tools are evolving to include more personalized information collection, allowing students to provide detailed preferences that influence their application reports [7][8]. - Despite advancements, there are still challenges regarding the transparency of AI-generated recommendations, with students expressing confusion over certain suggestions [12]. Group 4: Future Innovations - The future of AI college application products is expected to focus on enhancing user interaction and transparency in the recommendation process [12]. - Companies are exploring ways to reduce the complexity of using AI tools, making them more accessible to students who may not be tech-savvy [11][12]. - The ongoing development of AI tools aims to balance the convenience of technology with the necessity of human oversight in the application process [12].

Core Insights - The role of AI in college application guidance is becoming increasingly significant, with many students and families turning to AI tools for assistance due to the high costs and risks associated with traditional guidance services [1][2] - Major tech companies are heavily investing in AI-driven college application tools, leading to a diverse range of products aimed at enhancing the user experience and decision-making process for students [2][4] Group 1: AI Tools and Market Trends - In 2025, various tech giants are expected to launch a multitude of AI tools for college application guidance, including Quark's high school model and Baidu's AI assistant [2][9] - The number of students using AI products for college applications is on the rise, with over 10 million users utilizing Baidu's AI assistant on a single day last year [2][3] - The current market for AI college application services is seen as a favorable entry point for new players, with students appreciating the free and convenient nature of these tools [2][3] Group 2: Product Development and Features - Recent upgrades in AI college application tools focus on database enhancement, complex reasoning capabilities, and personalized user experiences [3][4] - Quark has invested significantly in data cleaning and integration from various authoritative sources to improve the accuracy of its AI-generated recommendations [3][4] - AI tools are evolving from simple search functions to more sophisticated reasoning and reflection capabilities, allowing for a more expert-like approach in guiding students [5][6] Group 3: User Experience and Interaction - The competition among AI college application products centers around precision, speed, usability, and personalized experiences [4][8] - Many AI tools now encourage students to provide personalized information to generate tailored reports, enhancing the relevance of the recommendations [6][7] - The integration of user feedback and interaction with AI models is crucial for improving the transparency and effectiveness of the recommendations provided [10][11] Group 4: Future Developments and Challenges - The future of AI college application products is expected to focus on innovation driven by user insights and pain points, particularly regarding the transparency of recommendation logic [10][11] - Despite advancements, AI products are still primarily seen as supplementary tools, with the final decision-making remaining in the hands of the students and their families [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by the 13.35 million candidates in the 2025 national college entrance examination (Gaokao) regarding school and major selection, highlighting the increasing reliance on AI tools and high-priced consulting services for assistance in the decision-making process [1][2][19]. Group 1: AI Tools in College Application - Over 10 million users utilized AI admission assistants on June 25 last year, indicating a significant trend towards AI in college application processes [5]. - AI tools can generate comprehensive recommendation reports for candidates based on their exam scores and preferences, providing options for nearly 600 universities and over 4,000 majors [9][11]. - Major internet companies like Quark, Baidu, and Douyin have launched AI admission assistance features, making these tools widely accessible [9][11]. Group 2: Traditional Consulting Services - Traditional consulting services, exemplified by figures like Zhang Xuefeng, charge high fees (up to 17,999 yuan) for personalized guidance, with significant demand evidenced by rapid sell-outs of service slots [14][15]. - The industry is characterized by a mix of experienced and inexperienced consultants, raising concerns about the quality of advice provided [16]. - Established companies like New Oriental also offer admission services at varying price points, indicating a competitive market for college application assistance [15]. Group 3: Complexity of New Gaokao Reform - The new Gaokao reform has introduced a more complex selection process, with candidates facing up to 80 options for applications, significantly increasing the difficulty of making informed choices [19][22]. - The reform allows for a more diverse range of subjects and combinations, complicating the admission landscape further [20]. Group 4: Considerations for Candidates - Candidates are encouraged to use AI tools as supplementary resources rather than sole decision-makers, as discrepancies in AI-generated admission probabilities can be significant [31][33]. - A balanced approach involving multiple AI tools and personal research is recommended to ensure a well-rounded decision-making process [35]. - The article emphasizes the importance of personal interests, employment trends, and long-term career planning in making final choices regarding schools and majors [40][41].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the complexities and challenges of the new college entrance examination (Gaokao) system in China, emphasizing the need for advanced tools like AI and big data to assist students in making informed decisions during the college application process [2][3][4]. Group 1: New Gaokao Reform - The new Gaokao reform introduces a more complex subject selection model, replacing the traditional division between arts and sciences, leading to an increase in the number of application choices for students [4]. - The number of parallel application choices has increased to 45, with some provinces allowing over 80 choices, significantly more than the previous maximum of 36 in Liaoning [4]. Group 2: Challenges in Application Process - Students and parents face heightened anxiety due to the overwhelming number of choices and the complexity of the admission policies, requiring extensive research within a limited time frame [5][8]. - Many families opt to hire expensive consultants for guidance, with some packages costing up to 17,999 yuan, reflecting the high stakes involved in the application process [6][7]. Group 3: The Role of AI in College Applications - AI tools for college application assistance have emerged, but initial skepticism regarding their reliability has limited their adoption [10][14]. - The article highlights the capabilities of AI tools, such as the "AI志愿助手," which can provide personalized recommendations based on a student's score and preferences, returning results in under three seconds [20][21]. Group 4: Data-Driven Decision Making - The AI tools utilize extensive historical data to calculate admission probabilities for various universities and programs, aiding students in making informed choices [21][31]. - The integration of MBTI personality assessments into the application process allows for a more tailored approach, aligning students' interests with suitable career paths [44]. Group 5: Accessibility and User Experience - Baidu's AI college application tools are offered for free, contrasting with many competitors that charge for similar services, thus promoting wider access to information [56][57]. - The platform also includes live interactions with university representatives and experienced students, providing real-time insights and support [58][51]. Group 6: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The article notes that despite the challenges, the adoption of AI tools in college applications is growing, with over 10 million users utilizing Baidu's AI志愿助手, indicating a significant shift in how students approach the application process [61]. - The emphasis on personalized decision-making reflects a broader trend towards integrating technology in education, aiming to empower students to take control of their futures [61].