Slogans shouted

When the students found they could not reach the exam site on time, Yang led them in shouting slogans such as "I am confident, I am self-reliant", and "I will keep fighting, I am not afraid".

After this, they gradually calmed down, Yang said.

Bao, the single mother, said, "Every day during the gaokao, and over the years, I have always encouraged my daughter to succeed in the gaokao."

Born in 1978 and educated only until middle school, the mother added, "I have never spent a single night just hanging out with friends, to ensure my daughter could study well and did not feel lonely.

"I am not well-educated and know just how hard it can be to make a living without having a high level of knowledge, so I hope my daughter can have a good future by succeeding in the gaokao."

Bao said she waited outside Shexian No 2 Middle School as her daughter took every exam.

On Thursday, she arrived at the site before 7 am, even though the Chinese-language exam did not start until 9 am.

The rain finally stopped in the morning, although it was still cloudy.

"After the rain, there will be a rainbow", Bao said hopefully.