According to the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), the national college entrance examination (gaokao), which is usually held on June 7-8, will be moved to July 7-8 this year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

　　Before the announcement, there was speculation whether the gaokao would be delayed, as schools and lives of this year participants have been seriously disrupted by the pandemic. But the national exam is among the most important in the country, an event which decides the course of students’ lives, so any change in the date was deemed almost impossible.

　　Students nationwide have been taking classes online due to school shutdowns. However, in some less developed regions, online classes are unavailable due to poor Internet or lack of suitable devices. The pandemic has hit this group hardest. This is among the various reasons the MOE finally decided to delay the examination.

　　This move has been largely applauded, especially by students and educators. Yet the change will involve the complete overhaul of existing structures, causing more disruption for students and schools.

　　This extra month will make up for time lost during school shutdowns, and minimize the negative impact of the virus. For some students, a month is a long time, and our students should make the best of this period to better prepare for the exam. Most students will value this extra month before the gaokao.

　　Let's work together, with the cooperation of the school, to fight for another month, to achieve remarkable results, and to turn over a new leaf, to embrace a better future.