The 2013 gaokao (national college entrance examinations) has just ended. More than 9 million Chinese high school students registered to sit the notoriously difficult exam. The gaokao is one of the most important moments for most Chinese students as the results determine the university they attend and their future job prospects.

For Chinese students, gaokao means incredible stress. The exam lasts nine hours over two days and covers math, English, Chinese and science or politics. The tests are exhausting and some students go so far as to hook themselves up to IV bags with amino acids to help them get through the intensive study sessions ahead of the gaokao.

Exam rooms ban everything from bras to mobile phones. On exam day, major construction sites across the country are silenced. Local media regularly carry stories of student suicides around this time of a year.

What do Shanghai expats know about Chinese gaokao? What do they think of the system and the pressures Chinese students suffer? How does gaokao compare to college entrance examinations in their home countries?

Dan Ester, from the US, graphic designer

"I don't really know a lot about gaokao. All I know is that it's extremely competitive and drives millions of Chinese students crazy every year.

I took an equivalent of the gaokao exam when I was a high school student myself back home. And I didn't pass it well enough to get into the university I was hoping for.

So I decided to take a year's break from studying and go traveling around the world. I believe it was the best decision I have ever made. If it hadn't been for that, I would have never moved to China and I wonder how my life would look like right now.

Chinese parents should help their children cope with the extreme pressure they are under during gaokao. They should keep reminding them that the exams are not something that will break or make their lives. There is much more to life than gaokao."

Sophie Chen, from France, intern

"What really interests me about gaokao are the flourishing businesses behind it. While millions of students stress, sweat, and grind their teeth, some people smile, take advantage of the exams and make tons of money out of others' misery.

I keep reading about the booming gaokao businesses: hotels near examination rooms are fully booked, stores are selling not-so-cheap lucky charms, parents are offering donations to temples hoping their children will score highly.

Even parents, who usually don't like to spend much money, don't think twice about it during gaokao if they think that this can improve their child's chances in the exams.

While I think that gaokao is important, I don't think this is the only way to succeed and it is definitely not a matter of life and death."

Julia Abmeier, from Germany, banker

"I remember when I had to take my college entrance examinations in my home country. It was one of the most important moments in my student life and one that I was preparing during my school years as it determined which university I was accepted for.

I can totally understand the pressure the Chinese students are under. I've been there. Preparing a couple of months in advance, not being able to eat or sleep and nagging parents telling me to study harder.

Reading about gaokao every year reminds of the time I had to study for my college exams, which seems such a long time ago now.

I would advise Chinese students that the only thing they can do is to try to do their best at the test and remember that, although gaokao is a very important moment in their lives, it is not one that will define their lives forever. Even if they don't do as well as they hoped and don't get into their dream university, this is not the end of the world. There is still life after gaokao. And that is something Chinese parents should remember too."