June 7, 2018 -- This week, millions of hopefuls will take the grueling college entry exam, but for one group, it presents an even greater challenge, as Zou Shuo reports.

 

The gaokao, China's national college entrance exam, takes place this week. It is a make-or-break experience for millions of prospective students, who undertake as many as three days of intensive tests that, in many cases, will determine their future.

 

While every student is daunted by the grueling exam, it is often an even bigger challenge for those with physical or mental disabilities.

 

China has a two-track education system from primary school through university; one track is standard, while the other caters for children with disabilities. While children with disabilities are theoretically able to access mainstream establishments as long as they "are able to adapt", in practice most regular schools only accept those with mild disabilities.

 

To address the situation, in recent years the country has been providing greater assistance for students with disabilities, especially by ensuring that they are given convenient and equal access to the gaokao.