The annual China's national college entrance exam, or gaokao, is set to take place this weekend, and many parents see it as an opportunity to help their child change his or her destiny.

But how did people in ancient China manage to change their destiny? Basically - they would take the imperial examination, or keju, which began during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) and lasted for 1,300 years before it was abolished in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Keju, the earliest "gaokao", played a very important role in selecting qualified personnel to work for the imperial court.

The photo shows a model of an examination hall for the keju exam in ancient China. [Photo/IC]