Around China this week, nearly 10 million students are taking a make-or-break exam that determines whether they get into the college of their dreams, or have to settle for wherever will take them.

But does the gaokao exam need to be thrown away entirely?

In this debate, two Chinese former students give us their thoughts on the gaokao. One took the grueling test three times; the other studied overseas and was able to avoid the stress. They share what their experiences have taught them about this punishingly difficult exam.