For school-leavers planning to go on to higher education in Iran, summer is a nerve-wracking time as they cram for entrance examinations.

There is fierce competition for places at state universities. This year, the education ministry said around 1.3 million applicants signed up to sit the exam known as the "concours", 60 per cent of them female. Organisers estimate that at least half those who sit the test will be offered places.

The exams, held from July 1 to 3 in 390 locations across the country, were divided into categories - mathematics, science, humanities, arts and foreign languages.

Applicants will have spent the past year preparing, providing a good income to tutors and cramming services. As the concours draws closer, the pressure really piles on to memorise as much as possible, and many take stimulants such as methylphenidate pills to maintain the pace. Their families also feel the strain.

As state university places are limited, many also revise for the separate examinations run by the Islamic Azad University, a private institution with a large network of educational centres across Iran.

Those who are unsuccessful either steel themselves for another attempt the following year, or give up and try to get a job.

The final results will be announced in mid-September.