Record-high 13.4m students sit exams in China's biggest gaokao

Mothers in crimson dresses and fathers clutching umbrellas huddled together in drizzly Beijing after sending their children into an examination hall on June 7 - the first day of China's biggest gaokao tests that will shape the future of millions of high school kids.

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The number of students taking this year's multi-subject gaokao series is set to be a record high, with the Education Ministry saying that 13.42 million candidates have registered for the high-stakes tests.

"People say this is the start of life," said 50-year-old mother Zhi Haihong. "So, one cannot slack off." Mrs Zhi wore a traditional qipao to take her daughter to the examination hall in central Beijing, in the hope that its auspicious brightred colour would bring good luck.

China's gaokao drills high school students on various subjects including Chinese, English, mathematics, science and humanities.

The results are critical for gaining admission to university.