On August 6, 1977, at a forum on science and education that he chaired, Deng Xiaoping decided to restore the national university entrance exam, the gaokao. It had been closed for eleven years. The exam was to be restored that same year, with voluntary registration, a unified exam and admission on merit.
In the winter of 1977, about 5.7 million candidates of all ages sat the exam. They came from villages, factories and the army.