Art exam fever: Performing art school candidates battle it out

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Have you ever dreamed of becoming a movie star and making your way down the Oscars red carpet? Well, many young students who share that dream lined up and made their way down to China's top art school－Central Academy of Drama, taking the first step towards their dreams.

Each year, between February and March, tens of thousands of aspiring young candidates in China undergo a series of exams known as "yikao(艺考)," the first of a long road to becoming an actor.

The long line of candidates in front of the Central Academy of Drama. /CGTN Photo

Two weeks ago, the Central Academy of Drama started its general qualification exams for its art majors. The academy is one of China's leading art schools and, as can be expected, admissions to acting, directing and TV anchoring majors are especially competitive.

This year, drama & film performance and acting are still among the top choice. A new major, puppetry theatre is also another popular choice for this year's candidates.

The major has already received 2,073 applications this February alone, a pleasant surprise for the department which was established just a year ago.

Candidates wait for their exams. /CGTN Photo

The competition for the major is fierce.

Only 25 candidates this year will be admitted to the new major – that's one in 83, according to the Central Academy of Drama. And for a shot at this coveted opportunity, many have traveled a long way to the capital city.

The Central Academy of Drama has seen a record number of candidates this year – over 50,000, which is 15,000 more than last year.

There's also a surge in majors such as Peking Opera, musical theatre, drama literature, and drama pedagogy.