Things you need to know about gaokao

6：China's ancient gaokao system

The photo shows a model of an examination hall for the keju imperial examinations in ancient China. [Photo/IC]

The annual China's national college entrance exam, or gaokao, takes place today, and many parents see it as an opportunity to help their child change his or her destiny.

But how did people in ancient China manage to change their destiny? Basically - they would take the imperial examination, or keju, which began during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) and lasted for 1,300 years before it was abolished in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Keju, the earliest "gaokao", played a very important role in selecting qualified personnel to work for the imperial court.

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