"Done!" /CCTV News
China's national college entrance examination, or Gaokao in Chinese, finally came to a close nationwide on Friday. Over 10 million in the country took part in the test that starting on July 7. The test took from two days to four days in different parts of China.
Nationwide, the test is such an important institution that nearly nothing is allowed to disrupt it in any way. But this year, with uncertainties coming from COVID-19 and extreme weather, even this exam had to make adjustments.
Students across the country had to push and ready themselves for the Gaokao for a month longer than usual this year because it was postponed due to the pandemic.
After the last exam. /CCTV News
In central China, students had to brave record-making floods and rains just to get to the test centers. Some were ferried across an inundated city to sit for the exam.
In the capital Beijing, where a virus outbreak in June further disrupted students' plans, test takers observed the strictest health protocols yet: Face masks on for the exam's full duration, multiple temperature checks every day and medics close by.
One grade 12 student who finished the test Friday told CGTN that the extra-long prep period had disrupted his tempo and schedule. "It felt as if it would never end," he said. "I'm finally relaxed now. I feel liberated."
"I just want to sleep at this point," another 18-year-old who took the Gaokao history test on Friday said. "I studied history and it occurred to me that we are part of it. I wonder how people would look back on it a few years later. Our story could be in the textbooks."
Parents embrace their kid with flowers and presents. /CCTV News
Many are opting for a "big" celebration, in line with new social-distancing rules because of the pandemic.
"It's not realistic to travel this summer, but I think my family can have a little vacation in outskirts Beijing," a student told CGTN.
Students will receive their test results in two weeks. University admissions will start shortly. Universities including the prestigious Tsinghua University said that commencement ceremonies to welcome the incoming students would be held online. It is still uncertain whether the students can all begin their next phase of schooling on campus or online.