An examinee talks with his mother at an exam site in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 8, 2023.

China's annual college entrance exam concluded on Thursday in some parts of the country. The exam, also known as the "gaokao," saw a record 12.91 million candidates sign up this year. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

An examinee hugs her mother at an exam site in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 8, 2023.

China's annual college entrance exam concluded on Thursday in some parts of the country. The exam, also known as the "gaokao," saw a record 12.91 million candidates sign up this year. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Relatives of examinees wait outside an exam site in Suiyang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 8, 2023.

China's annual college entrance exam concluded on Thursday in some parts of the country. The exam, also known as the "gaokao," saw a record 12.91 million candidates sign up this year. (Xinhua/Yang Ying)

Examinees pose for photos outside an exam site in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 8, 2023.

China's annual college entrance exam concluded on Thursday in some parts of the country. The exam, also known as the "gaokao," saw a record 12.91 million candidates sign up this year. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)