Students high-five their teacher outside the No 6 Middle School testing site in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, before they take the National College Entrance Examination (NEE) on June 7. The NEE, or "gaokao," is an essential exam for Chinese students. The results determine their eligibility to what universities and dramatically affect their future career prospects. [Photo by Ding Genhou/For en.hhhtnews.com]

Students enter the examination room in an orderly manner at No 6 Middle School in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, on June 7. This year, the number of applicants for the college entrance examination in Inner Mongolia is 211,672, an increase of 26,541 from 2022. [Photo by Ding Genhou/For en.hhhtnews.com]

A student hugs her teacher before entering the examination room on June 7. [Photo by Ding Genhou/For en.hhhtnews.com]

Examination staff members and volunteers help a candidate with a leg injury enter the examination room. [Photo by Ding Genhou/For en.hhhtnews.com]

A student claps hands with her teacher before the exams on June 7. [Photo by Ding Genhou/For en.hhhtnews.com]