Getting 'Gaokao fever' - are these the world's toughest exams?

In China, young people hoping to go to university must do well in the notoriously difficult entrance exam, or 'Gaokao'.

Ma Li, 18, is one of the 9.15 million Chinese high school students about to start studying for the exams.

It's a long, hard road, and both Ma Li and her family will have to make sacrifices if she is to do well.

Find out why China's university entrance exams, the 'Gaokao', are said to be the toughest in the world.

Schools World Service is a BBC British Council co-production. This film uses material from a BBC News report by John Sudworth.