Students from Xintai, North China’s Hebei Province, touch the hanging zongzi before walking into examination rooms on Friday, wishing for a good score on this year’s college entrance exam. Photo: VCG

A student waves to her teachers and parents at Luhe High School in Tongzhou, Beijing on Friday morning. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

School security guards, teachers and parents help a student with a leg injury prepare for the exam outside the gate of Luhe High School. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A student’s parents speak to her as she is about to enter the examination room at Luhe High School. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A student claps hands with his teacher before entering Luhe High School to take the notoriously difficult gaokao. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Teachers from Luhe High School dressed in cheongsams greet students at the entrance of the school to symbolize “victory.” Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Buses for students taking the gaokao are parked on the roadside Friday in Xiangyang, Central China’s Hubei province. Each is decorated with encouraging banners. Photo: VCG

Students do last minute reviewing in Haian, East China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: VCG

Police officers stand outside an examination site at Shenyang No. 4 Middle School in Northeast China’s Liaoning province Friday. Photo: VCG