高考枪手作弊

Taking the Gaokao, or the college entrance exam, is the biggest and most nerve racking test in any student's life. Millions across the country spend hours studying, hoping to get an edge on test day. But those looking for the easy way out are turning to the Qiang Shou, or literally Gunman. Qiang Shou use fake identification and other illicit means to take the Gaokao for students who are willing to pay a hefty fee, in hopes of getting a high score.

A few months before millions of Chinese high school students took the Gaokao, or College Entrance Exam, ads like this were springing up in bathrooms in universities across Wuhan in Central China. All had the same phone number, and message: hiring "Qiang Shou".

After calling the number, we meet with a person who goes by the name "teacher Li". Teacher Li trains and leads a group of people, who use fake ids to sit in for students on exam day for the Gaokao.

Offering a range of services, Li says it could cost anywhere from 20 to 50 thousand yuan depending on what university the student wanted to go to.

"You just need to work hard and be able to get into a second tier university. We lack liberal arts students. You can recommend one if you have any friends." "Teacher Li" said.

Li talked about a variety of tactics, including bribing test monitors in the exam room. And becoming a "Qiang Shou" is no easy job. Teacher Li carries out tests to pick new candidates, and holds them right on university campuses. All have passed this round of testing.

"When you go home, please work hard...I count on you, brothers!"

So are the Qiang Shou afraid of being caught? Most appear to be college students, who would be kicked out of school if caught.

"I don’t think it’s a big deal. It’s serious matter cheating on the Gaokao. Teacher Zhang said, even if we were caught, we could walk away and leave the rest to him."

It turns out Teacher Zhang is Teacher Li’s boss. He gave each of his Qiang Shou a 5000 yuan in advance, promising that even if they failed, they would still get paid. In order to beat hi-tech security measures, he gives each of his Qiang Shou fake fingerprints to resemble those of the real candidates. On the big day, the illicit test takers arrive at this high school. This female Qiang Shou showed the exam permit of the real candidate and passed the fingerprint test. But the real candidate was caught on camera hanging around the exam site. After the exam, a woman shows up to reassure the students that everything will be ok.

"I tell you, there’s nothing to worry about the fake fingerprints. There’s no problem at all..."

And the next day, everything goes smoothly. Now everyone is waiting on the score, as it will determine which university the students get into, and how much the illicit test takers are paid, if they are not caught first.