BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Education has released booklets on the assessment system for the gaokao, the annual national college entrance exam.

The booklets, published by the People's Education Press, elaborate on the function, content and requirements of the exam.

The function of the gaokao is to strengthen moral education, cultivate the people, facilitate the selection of talent and serve as a guide for teaching, according to the booklets.

The content of the exam includes core values, key skills and essential knowledge, the booklets read.

The booklets are the result of a three-year research project spearheaded by the ministry.