lijianming (China)

More than 30 years ago, I participated in gaokao, with a slim chance to be enrolled by universities. There was a famous Chinese saying to describe the circumstances then: Millions of arm and horses crossing a single wooden bridge. The young students my age were so independent and nobody accompanied us to take the exam, then let alone so many worried parents and private cars stopping outside the examination places. Most of us went to the examination places by bus or bicycle or even on foot. All seven subjects were tested together. I was so nervous and my hands were shaking and sweating when I began to write my papers. (More)

A young man shows his admission ticket before attending the gaokao in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu province, June 7. [Photo/IC]