Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province is hosting the so-called united entrance exam of art academies at 11 sites across the city from Feb 13-23.

The system attempts to ease the burden on prospective university students by combining the art exams for multiple different universities into a single process.

"Thanks to the united examination, my daughter was able to take music and dance exams for 16 different schools, including Shandong Normal University and Shandong University of Arts, within a period of just five days," a parent said on Feb 17.

According to the Ministry of Education, the unified examination has expanded the possibilities for prospective art majors.

In addition, art colleges in China have been raising demands on applicants' "comprehensive abilities" by requiring good exam scores in literature, history and philosophy.

More than 6,500 students took part in an art school entrance exam on the first day in Jinan. The number of candidates applying to Shandong University of Art & Design hit a record high with more than 76,000 this year.

An applicant gives interview while waiting for entrance exam of Shandong University of Arts in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, Feb 14, 2019. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Candidates wait for entrance exam of art academies in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, Feb 17, 2019. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Students do warm-up exercises at an examination room in Jinan, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/iqilu.com]