Students read outside the examination site before the exam starts on June 7, 2019. This year's national college entrance examination, or gaokao, officially kicks off this Friday and will last until Sunday. (Photos: VCG)

It coincides with the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which also starts on Friday.

More than 10 million students have applied to take part in the exam, competing for their higher education dreams.

The exam, commonly known as the gaokao, is deemed the most important event for Chinese students.

It is hailed as a fair system to select talent and change the fate of children from poor families.

It has changed the lives of tens of millions of people since it was resumed in 1977.

Students embrace each other as they leave for the exam.

Parents wait for their children outside the examination site.

Parents wait for their children outside the examination site.