In imperial times, they were described as being akin to a carp jumping the (mythical) Dragon Gate to swim out to sea -- almost impossible.

In modern China, they are likened to "thousands upon thousands of men and horses trying to cross a narrow footbridge".

From the Imperial Civil Service Examination in ancient times to today's National College Entrance Examination, one thing has remained constant: the tests are tough. And they cause a lot of anxiety among students and parents.

So it was yesterday as 8.67 million Chinese high-school graduates -- vying for 2.3 million undergraduate spots in a total enrolment of 4.75 million -- sat down for the first day of tests that will shape their lives.

At 8:00 am the scene outside Beijing's No 80 Middle School was a microcosm of what was happening around the country.

Parents handed out chocolate bars to cheer up their kids, teachers cleared up students' last-minute queries and examinees hugged each other for mutual support. But even their smiles revealed a sense of nervousness.

Xu Wencheng, who is sitting the arts exam, said he couldn't sleep the previous night.

"The future of my life will be decided in two days of tests and I'm afraid of disappointing my parents and teachers," he said.

In many cases, though, it seemed parents were more worried than their children.

From the tragic death of a parent who came to drop his son at an exam centre in the capital, to parents praying for their children's success in a Dalian church -- their concern was evident.

In Beijing, Wang Weidong, 49, had a cardiac arrest while waiting for his child at the gates of Guangqumen Middle School. An ambulance crew found that his heart had stopped beating and he was rushed to nearby Chuiyangliu Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Wang's heart attack may have been triggered by a dispute with a parking attendant while he tried to park his white Volkswagen Jetta, said some parents waiting outside the school gate.

Wang had been suffering from heart problems and diabetes for years, his friends told hospital officials.

"Cardiac arrest might be caused by anger, nervousness, pressure or other stressful factors", said Sun Lianping, the chief physician in the emergency room. "We are still not sure of the exact cause of death."

Wang's family did not tell his child about the death straight away, fearing the news could affect exam performance.

In Dalian, a coastal city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, thousands of parents and grandparents have been attending church over the past two weeks to pray for their children's success.

Han Shuqin, a 48-year-old mother, rushed to the Fengshou (meaning harvest) Church in Ganjingzi District after dropping daughter Yang Jia at the exam centre.

Although yesterday was not Sunday, dozens of parents were in church. "I've had belief in God since my daughter was born in July 1986," said Han. "Whether she succeeds in entering college or not, let God decide."

Govt trying to reduce noise during examination days

The government has been working to reduce noise during the national college entrance examination, which begins Tuesday nationwide.

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) issued a circular Tuesday ordering environmental departments to curb noise during the day, in order to ensure quiet for those taking the examination.

Local environmental departments should increase patrols around schools and deal with complaints by people. Also, environmental officials and police will cooperate to reduce noise in areas such as construction sites, recreational places and crowded streets.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2005)