Gaokao, Day 1: Beijing’s students breathe big sigh of relief
Beijing saw more than 61,000 students lined up with nervous parents in tow to take the rigorous gaokao on June 7, people.cn reported.
Tensions ran high at high schools around the city as students readied to take the national college entrance exam - a culmination of years of preparation for what many see a decisive event for their future careers. But by afternoon, high pressure was replaced with high spirits as students exited the exam sites, many greeting family and friends anxiously waiting outside with big smiles, hugs and sighs of relief.
Some 9.4 million students have applied to sit the 2016 Gaokao, National College Entrance Examination in China on June 7-8, according to the Ministry of Education.
Photos: Li Hao /GT
Students wait for the exam to begin at Beijing No. 8 High School on June 7.
Students enter the test site at Beijing No. 8 High School on June 7.
A disabled student is wheeled to the exam site at Beijing No. 8 High School on June 7.
Parents wait for their children outside Beijing No. 8 High School on June 7.
Police officers direct traffic at Beijing No. 8 High School on June 7.
Students exit Beijing No. 161 High School after completing the exam on June 7.
Parents wave to their children in front of Beijing No. 161 High School on June 7.
A student joins his mother outside Beijing No. 161 High School after taking the gaokao on June 7.
Police officers direct traffic outside Beijing No. 161 High School on June 7.
A smiling student shares in a handshake before gaokao outside Beijing Chen Jinglun High School.
Students share a moment before gaokao at Beijing Chen Jinglun High School.
A student waves before gaokao at Chen Jinglun High School.
Students wave to a crowd before gaokao at Beijing Chen Jinglun High School.
A student’s relatives encourage her by hugging before gaokao at Beijing Chen Jinglun High School.