International Journal of Research Studies in Education 2015 October, Volume 4 Number 4, 67-76 © The Author(s) / Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs CC BY-NC-ND The influence of senior secondary school teachers on students’ achievement in Gao-Kao Tsegay, Samson Maekele Institute for International and Comparative Education, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, China (Samex221@gmail.com) Ashraf, Muhammad Azeem Institute for International and Comparative Education, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, China (Azeem20037@gmail.com) Received: 23 December 2014 Revised: 10 January 2015 Accepted: 26 January 2015 Available Online: 5 April 2015 DOI: 10.5861/ijrse.2015.1037 ISSN: 2243-7703 Online ISSN: 2243-7711 OPEN ACCESS Abstract This study examines the role and influence of teachers on the achievement of students in Gao-Kao (Chinese College Entrance Examination) in China. Every year, millions of Chinese students participate in Gao-Kao. However, not all the students join higher education institutions due to limited opportunity for higher education. Through semi-structured interview with undergraduate students, this study examines the role and influence of teachers on the achievement of students in Gao-Kao in China. In order to understand the participants’ experiences and realities, the notion of Gao-Kao and the ways on how teachers influence students’ achievement must be understood. Gao-Kao has been an important milestone for Chinese students. Since its resumption in 1977, the exam has been the dominant means of admission in Chinese higher education institutions. As part and parcel of the teaching-learning process, teachers significantly contribute to students’ achievement in Gao-Kao through engaging students to the teaching-learning process, guidance and evaluation, role modeling as well as motivation. The study will be informative to educators interested in students’ academic achievement in national and other similar types of examinations. Keywords: Gao-Kao; teacher’s influence; student’s achievement; senior secondary school; China