But teachers and experts suggest parents should not put pressure on students in the build up to the exams.

A student pauses to ponder an exam item during the college entrance exam in Changchun, Jilin Province June 7, 2006. [newsphoto]

"Keep a regular schedule and try to relax by listening to music and playing sports" suggests Lin Guirui, director of the psychological counselling centre at Beijing's Capital Normal University. Lin said it was not necessary for parents to change the home environment in the build-up to the exams.

"Any change may leave children with an unsettled state of mind," she said, adding that students should not be over relaxed, as moderate pressure could make people feel excited.

By noon yesterday almost all the hotels near Beijing's exam halls were fully booked.

In west Beijing's Shuncheng Hotel, adjacent to an exam hall the No 8 Middle School every standard room, each costing 720 yuan (US$90) per night, had been booked.

"Even the luxurious 2,800 yuan (US$350) per night suite has been booked for tomorrow," said a receptionist.

Zhang Deming, a 45-year-old father who had never stayed at a star-rated hotel, booked a room in the Shuncheng for his daughter to save time commuting to the exam hall from their apartment. "I want to give my child a quiet place to revise and have a good rest, although the price is pretty high," he said.