10 mln students sit college entrance exam

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Play VideoStudents take college entrance exam

Over 10 million high school graduates across China are now meeting possibly the most important challenge in their lives.

The 2009 national college entrance exam began Sunday. The Ministry of Education says the number of candidates has dropped for the first time in seven years.

Like many other high schools nationwide, this one in Beijing has been routinely used as an exam venue. About 500 students are taking the challenge here.

For many students, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's a ticket for better education and employment.

The flu outbreak means students must fill out a health form, since testing requires so many people in close quarters.

Chinese students and their family members walk home after they  finished the first day tests of the National College Entrance  Examination, which will last until Tuesday for three days across China, in Rui'an city in east China's Zhejiang province, June 7, 2009. Some 10.2 million Chinese school students are to compete this year in the world's largest annual examination for a quota of 6.29 million to learn in universities and colleges. (Xinhua/Zhuang Yingchang)