1979 college entrance examinee Wang Yishu said, "I still remember clearly that after I went into the classroom, and wrote down my name on the paper, I felt my hand trembling. That was the time that would decide my fate. "

The low admission rate from the late seventies till the late eighties made college students a unique category of people. They were considered the elite of the nation, the lucky few who received high education, and they had no need to worry about finding a job.

1988 was a symbolic year for college students across the country. The government's policy of guaranteeing jobs for graduates was abolished. Competition and the principle of supply-and-demand began to play a role, and college graduates started to lose their assured position on the job market.

1999 was the first year in which the country expanded the enrollment rate. By 2007, the average admission rate in cities like Beijing had reached over 70 percent. College students of the current generation have lost their reputation as an elite, just as earlier generations all faced their own challenges.

2000 college entrance examinee Luo Di said, "We all compete to enroll at a famous university, or at least, a popular course, because that would help us find a good job. We are lucky nowadays that everyone has a better chance than before to receive higher education, but it is unfortunate that many may not be able to find an ideal job. "

More people are looking for alternatives to the college entrance exams. Studying abroad is now a popular choice. Meanwhile, an increasing number of students now apply to universities in Hong Kong.

College exams are no longer the only channel to higher education. Educators say the system needs to be improved to suit the changing landscapes of higher education. However, for now and for the foreseeable future, the system will continue to play a major role in education for the majority of China's students.

(CCTV June 11, 2009)