Make-or-break exam

Updated: 2015-06-12 07:44

(China Daily USA)

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Chinese students are not alone when they sit the tough national college entrance exam, commonly known as gaokao, which is held on June 7-8 in most parts of China. Parents of the gaokao takers stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Many of them refuse to leave after seeing off their children to the exam. Parents stand cheek by jowl with each other, laying siege to entrance of the examination rooms. They feel it's worthwhile to endure hours of discomfort in harsh weather with little space to stand, waiting for their little soldiers to return. Some sit on the ground when they get tired. On Sunday, in Wuhan, Hubei province, heavy rain hit the city. Parents held umbrellas while waiting for their children to finish tests. Some carried food and drink so their children could replenish their energy in no time. In Sichuan province, one parent even took a pet dog along to cheer a daughter. No distance is too far for parents to go to provide the best environment for their children during the exam, which is widely considered life-changing in China. Some parents, especially those in big cities, will rent hotel rooms near exam sites to spare their children the trouble of commuting and let them take a comfortable break between tests. Some move into the hotel two weeks in advance, even consulting a nutritionist to help their children feel their best.

 Make-or-break exam

Parents wait for their children to finish tests under heavy rain in front of a school gate in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Sunday. Sun Xinming / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

In Huaxian county, Henan province, a parent waves to his child coming out from a test while others wait anxiously.Wang Zirui / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

In Xi'an, Shaanxi province, parents take photos of their children returning on the last exam day. Yuan Jingzhi / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

A mother gives her daughter a kiss before she enters the exam room in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Wang Jianzhong / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

In Chengdu, Sichuan province, one parent brings along a pet dog to cheer a daughter. Wu Xiaochuan / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

In Zigui, Hubei province, police guard the entrance of an exam site. Sanxia Yu / For China Daily

 Make-or-break exam

In a town in Lu'an, Anhui province, crowds of relatives see off students on buses heading to exam centers in the city. Ai Lan / For China Daily

(China Daily USA 06/12/2015 page15)

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