Lack of precedent

However, after he had presented the required documentation, Wang was informed that there was no precedent in Jilin that would allow "special treatment" for students with disabilities. As a result, his application was turned down.

During his senior year in high school, Wang's day began at 5:30 am and lasted until 11:30 pm, regularly punctuated by the ringing of bells that announced classes, break times, self-study periods and extracurricular activities.

Though he sat in the front row of the class, he would speak to his teachers during breaks to ask for clarification because he could not see the blackboard clearly. His teachers also allowed him extra time during mock exams because they assumed that would be permitted in the gaokao.

Wang scored 401 points out of a possible 750 in the exam. His performance was only good enough to gain admittance to Xinglin College at Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where he studied acupuncture and massage, a popular course among visually impaired students.

"It was the major my parents wanted for me because I did not get a high score in the gaokao. They thought it would guarantee a job," the 22-year-old said.

Sometimes, students with disabilities are given assistance after the exam. Wei Xiang, a wheelchair user from a remote city in China's northwest, performed so well in the exam that he was offered a place at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of the country's most prestigious schools.

The 19-year-old has spina bifida, a congenital condition that affects the spinal column. Although he has had three operations, his condition has not improved, so he either uses his wheelchair or crutches to get around.

The native of Dingxi, a poverty-stricken city in Gansu province, made headlines when a local WeChat account carried a post in which he described his disability and his impoverished family background. He also revealed that he had sought assistance from the university, which he hoped would offer living space for him and his mother, who planned to accompany him.

In response, the university's recruitment office praised Wei's perseverance and diligence, and provided a free dorm for him and his mother.