A group of Chinese students reviewing for the national college entrance exams or “gaokao.” (Photo : BLSHE.com/Beijing Cream)
Up to 1,000 universities in France, Italy, and other 14 popular overseas destinations for Chinese applicants are now accepting national college entrance test scores or "gaokao" scores as admission criteria, according to a report published on Monday by MyOffer, a London-based online student placement portal.
The findings reflect the growing international recognition for China's national college entrance tests despite lagging behind other exams.
MyOffer, which helps international students with university placements, overseas internships and career development, released the study as this year's "gaokao" scores were announced in several parts of China.
Earlier reports claimed that "gaokao" test results were accepted in 20 countries and regions, but MyOffer's study has by far the most detailed findings available.
Italy and France are the most welcoming destinations, the report said. All of France's more than 180 universities and colleges accept "gaokao" scores, while Chinese students can apply for 206 Italian institutions via bilateral education programs under the Marco Polo Project and Turandot Program if their scores comply with admission requirements.
Australia, were more than 30 universities accept "gaokao" scores for admission, and Spain, with more than 50, were also considered favored destinations.
Singapore has 10 public universities and polytechnics that accept China's entrance exam results, while in Germany, which has more than 380 officially recognized universities, "most schools require 'gaokao' scores," according to MyOffer.
However, Chinese students with passing "gaokao" scores will still need to study in a Chinese university for one or two semesters before enrolling for undergraduate degree courses in Germany.
Nine universities in Canada, including the top-rated University of British Columbia, also now accept "gaokao" test scores, although only those who scored above 75 percent of the maximum mark of 750 are likely to be considered.
Recognition of "gaokao" scores remains poor in the United States, where they are accepted by only four universities, while South Korea has three and only two in New Zealand.
East London University is currently one of few institutions in the United Kingdom that accept the scores, although dozens of university foundation courses require them for admission.
On the other hand, mainland Chinese applicants will find their "gaokao" scores more welcome in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Up to 135 universities in Taiwan admitted mainland students with "gaokao" test scores in 2014, while all eight universities in Hong Kong and six in Macao accept the scores.
"[China's national college entrance tests] still has a long way to go compared to Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in North America and A-levels in the U.K.," said MyOffer CEO Philip Hao.
AP results are accepted by more than 3,600 in more than 40 countries, while A-level results are recognized by more than 11,000 in 160 countries, he said.
"Overseas universities evaluate applicants' overall performance with a comprehensive approach, while gaokao test scores play a decisive role for students who stay at home," Hao added, noting that this different "education logic" poses a major challenge for "gaokao" internationally.
However, more foreign universities will be "forced" to accept "gaokao" results as more young Chinese choose to study abroad, Hao said.
A total of 9.42 million Chinese students took this year's national college entrance exams earlier this month.
Nearly 460,000 Chinese students went abroad in the past year, an increase of 11.09 percent compared with 2013, according to the Ministry of Education.
