Though China's national college entrance exams are months off, art students in Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, are in the run-up to the crucial test expected to be held from late December to early January next year. /VCG Photo

The tests including provincial-level combined arts exams and art colleges' supplementary exams, evaluate students' skills like dancing, painting and singing in addition to the college entrance exams. /VCG Photo

Receiving centralized training courses to succeed in exams has become a trend for future art major students. This year's test takers were mostly born after 2000. /VCG Photo

Facing the fierce competition, art students have to balance their performing or dancing with their academic courses. /VCG Photo