On June 7, when the 2011 gaokao (national college entrance examination) was held, 82-year-old pensioner Wang Xia marked his eleventh stint facing the test.
Wang was born in 1929 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Since retiring as a pharmacist in 1989, he has becfome a "gaokao star" for his tenacity in the examination.
In fact, early in 2001, the then 72-year-old had aroused national attention by being the oldest examinee since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
However, the purpose of his unremitting efforts was quite simple: to win a college diploma in medical science to add credibility to his medical skills.
"If you want to be a doctor, you need to get people to trust you," said Wang, who has been worried that people do not trust his skills and, therefore, planned to earn a diploma.
Wang first took the gaokao in 1954, but failed. His father was sick then but could not afford to go to a doctor. Wang then decided to study medicine and hoped to treat his father's disease by himself.
Wang continued to take the tests in 1955, 1956, and 1960, but flunked them all again.
In 2001, when the gaokao limits on age and marital status were lifted, Wang embarked on the journey once again.
Fortunately, he was admitted to Nanjing Medical University as a non-degree student in 2002. He studied very hard and passed almost all 49 subjects, no worse than the youngsters did. However, for various reasons he could not get a diploma in the end. This did not discourage Wang though; it only inspired him to make further endeavors and come back stronger.
As expected, Wang participated in the examination again in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, but suffered four consecutive losses.
Time and tide wait for no man. Wang was already 80-years-old in his ninth try in 2009 and his memory had declined considerably.
"Why would he continue to take the exams at such an advanced age? Others might think he was just showing-off. Studying now taxes him a lot and has made him even thinner," complained Wang's wife, who was a supporter of Wang at the very beginning.
Wang did not even tell his family members when he took the exam in 2010.
This June, Wang just finished his eleventh college entrance examination, aiming to enter Nanjing Medical University. "Since I have already studied all the subjects, the school has promised that if I pass the examination, I can get the diploma," said Wang.
"I took the test only to enter college, not for fame or money. Though I have been a doctor for 36 years, I still hope to improve my skills through systematic training, and by getting a diploma that is widely accepted. I want to learn more to better serve people voluntarily. Since I am still healthy now, I would like to do as much as I can to fulfill my long-cherished dream of earning a diploma," answered Wang when asked why he kept taking the exams despite criticism.
With repeated struggles and defeats, the now 82-year-old has set a good example in lifelong learning, a practice which is has been waning in current China.
