China's noisy building sites muffled their drills Monday, and the blaring of car horns was stifled as the country tried to let the nation's high school seniors sit the National College Entrance Exam in peace.

The annual two-day exam, or "gaokao" in Chinese, is the only opportunity for high school students to win a place at university, making it the most important test most will ever sit in their lives.

Beijing tried to create a friendly environment for test takers, with govenment officials, private corporations and individuals doing their bit.

Retired doctor Huang Bo, 66, stood outside the Beijing No. 4 High School, an exam site, with his medical box. "I brought free medicines here in case students need them," he said.

Cui Zhengwei, who works for a private motor company, was handing out bottled water and fans to parents waiting outside the exam site.

"My company does this voluntarily," he said. "We're glad we can do something for the examinees and their parents."

Their company was also providing free transport for students. "Those who need to be picked up just have to call us and schedule the service," said Cui.

To keep the exam site neighborhoods quiet, police patrolled throughout the day. Leafleters and peddlers were moved on.

Kou Xuejing, heading a patrol around Beijing's No. 37 Middle School, said, "We have two service stations in this district where students and parents can get medicines and water."

Restaurants and hotels near exam sites were doing brisk business. "Most rooms were booked a week ago," said Huang Yan, a front-desk clerk at a hotel near the Beijing No. 4 High School.

Many parents booked rooms at nearby hotels so their children could take a nap during the noon break.

"It's been extremely difficult," said father Li Sunan. "We wanted to book a room at a nearby hotel last Friday, they were booked up."

During the noon break, restaurants were crowded with the examinees and their parents and staff delivered boxed meals to volunteers and other staff at the exam sites.

Photographer Jiang Liaocheng, who records the sites every year, said, "It looks orderly and the arrangements for students and waiting parents has been thorough."

Wang Boyan said he was "not very nervous" after finishing his Chinese exam. "The test is not very hard. I would also like to thank the volunteers and staff of this exam site for what they have done."

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