What is China's Gaokao?

In China, applying to college is about one thing and one thing only: the gaokao.

Students cheer up themselves on a special train to test sites for the National College Entrance Exam, or gaokao, from Oroqen Autonomous Banner, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, June 5, 2017.

A student crams for the gaokao while waiting in line at the dining hall of Beijing Chenjinglun High School, May 15, 2017.

Gaokao is short item for “The National Higher Education Entrance Examination”.

Students at Hefei No 8 High School study hard for the gaokao, East China's Anhui province, May 22, 2017.

A student’s score on this all-important standardized test is pretty much the only thing that matters when it comes to determining whether or not they can go to college—and if they can, which schools they can attend.

Students of Beijing Chenjinglun High School run laps of the playground to keep fit in the lead up to the gaokao, May 15, 2017.

A teacher at Beijing Chenjinglun High School sets up a desk in the corridor to answer senior students' questions, May 15, 2017.

The gaokao is held once annually at the end of the school year. Third-year high school students (high school in china lasts three years) generally take the test, although anyone may register for it if they desire to. The test generally lasts for two or three days.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)