A recent independent admissions exam raised eyebrows for asking test takers how they would sell an ax to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The test, held by Guangzhou-based South China University of Technology (SCUT) on Saturday, is being criticized for several unorthodox and surprising questions.

The most curious query explained that a businessman once sold an ax to former American president George W. Bush, and asked how one could resell the same ax to China's current president.

Another question mimicked a previous online trend by asking students if they were happy.

One student answered, "Having the opportunity to take this test here at SCUT is real happiness to me."

A female candidate was asked by an examiner when the last time she cried was, leading her to come to tears on the spot.

Such questions certainly challenged students, prompting many to say they felt very surprised and embarrassed.

But teachers at SCUT said this year's questions were more orthodox compared to last year.

Those who pass the exam enjoy an extra five to 10 points on the gaokao, China's national college entrance examinations.

China News Service