Starting June 4, millions of students will sit for China’s highly competitive university entrance examination across the country. Among them is Wang Nana, a 34-year-old candidate whose chance for higher education was taken away 14 years ago when a total stranger paid to replace her for admission.

In 2003, Wang Nana graduated from high school in central China’s Henan Province and took the university entrance exams. Failing to receive any admission letters, she went on into the job market, got married, and became a mother of two children. It was not until February last year when she had her identity checked while applying for a credit card and learned that she had a tertiary certificate on her record.

An investigation was carried out by Zhoukou Vocational and Technical College, the college that admitted her 14 years ago. It turned out that another girl, surnamed Zhang, had paid 5,000 yuan (730 USD) to take Wang’s offer and graduated from the school to be a teacher, Beijing Youth Daily reports.

Wang shows her 2003 exam registration card. /Beijing Youth Daily Photo

Twenty days into the investigation, the local educational bureau canceled Zhang’s college degree and nine school officials responsible for the case were warned. Nonetheless, Wang was refused to be readmitted to the college given no related supporting regulations.

“If you really hope to fulfill your college dream, we suggest you take the entrance exams again. All the best.” The school replied to Wang after she requested to go back to school.

Unwilling to give up, she decided to accept the challenge and ended up registering for this year’s examination.

Wang is preparing for the 2017 university entrance examination at home. /Beijing Youth Daily Photo

For the 34-year-old who left school for over a decade ago, the test preparation process was not easy. “I couldn’t focus for longer than two hours and the exam contents have evolved tremendously,” said Wang. “Not to mention, my memory weakened and I had to look after my children. ”

While her husband and children showed love and support, friends and family were confused and tried to discourage her. Wang’s mother kept reminding her to be considerate for the family, and some friends of Wang thought her taking the exams was a mere “joke”.

Wang's study notes for maths and geography. /Beijing Youth Daily Photo

On Weibo, many people reacted with support. An educational publisher even sent a whole set of test preparation materials to Wang as encouragement.

“If I were her, I would’ve felt and reacted in the same way. Wish her good luck!” @caohucaohu commented.