Record number of 13 million people take the “world’s toughest” university entrance exam

(CNN) — A record number of high school students across China have begun taking a highly competitive exam that could determine their future in a country facing a slowing economy and dwindling opportunities for young graduates.

The two-day national college entrance exam, known as the “Gaokao”, is the world’s largest academic test. It has also been called “the world’s toughest college entrance exam” by Chinese state media due to the high stakes, competitiveness, and intensity as students put to the test everything they have learned over 12 years in a handful of subject tests, each lasting less than two hours.

This year, more than 13.4 million students have registered for the exam, surpassing last year’s record of 12.9 million and making it the largest “gaokao” ever held in China.

Chinese students spend years preparing for this extremely difficult exam, as high grades are the only way to get into the country’s best universities. The exam covers subjects such as Chinese literature, mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, politics and history.

Most students take this difficult test only once, unlike students in the United States, who can repeat the SAT.

In addition, fears of slowing Chinese economic growth and rising youth unemployment have increased the pressure to perform well.

This Friday, the first day of exams, parents waited anxiously at the doors of schools after sending their children to the exam rooms. Many parents and teachers wore red, the color of victory in China, and some wore sunflowers, considered an auspicious flower for academic success.

The authorities have implemented several measures to maintain order and stability around the examination venues.

In Beijing, traffic police appeared on the streets from 6:00 a.m. to help smooth the flow of traffic and ease congestion around a school near the Summer Palace, a famous sightseeing spot popular with tourists, state-run Xinhua News reported.

In Shanghai, taxi dispatch centers began accepting reservations for students taking exams a week ago, according to Xinhua.

Chinese social media was flooded with well wishes and messages of encouragement, and “gaokao” was one of the most searched topics on the Weibo platform.

Many Chinese celebrities and even some international stars have posted messages on social media wishing test takers good luck.

Legendary British footballer David Beckham posted his wishes on Weibo, where he has 10 million followers.

“I want to say ‘good luck’ to all the students who will be taking exams soon. You have worked really hard. Jin bang ti ming,” Beckham said in a video, adopting a Chinese phrase that means achieving honor and success in important exams.