Demographics, vocational schools and the lure of overseas study mean 20,000 fewer Beijing students will sit the university entrance test this year compared with last year.

Numbers released by the Beijing education examinations authority show 81,000 senior middle school students have registered to take the exam that they must pass to go on to university.

The silver lining in the dwindling number is 80 percent of those trying to get to university in 2010, some 65,000 students, will make it.

This year's sharp fall was part of an ongoing trend.

In 2009, 101,293 students registered for the entrance examination, 15,000 less than did in 2008.

The main reason for the reduction is demographic.

The birth rate has been falling for 13 straight years nationwide, resulting in fewer students in senior middle school.

In addition, many affluent city residents are inclined to send their children abroad directly after middle school to continue their education.

Also, vocational schools offering skill training are grabbing the attention of many senior middle school graduates who find tuition fees in colleges and universities too expensive.

Liu Yizong, an education expert from People.com was optimistic about the fact that fewer students would be taking the examination, saying it showed they have more choices.

"This reflects the transformation of parents' and children's opinions on their future," Liu said.

"A college education is no longer the only thing that leads to a bright future."

For the first time, students taking Beijing's university entrance test will be graded entirely online.

Last year, all grading except math was completed online.

"But the grading time will not be shortened and we require every teacher involved to grade fairly and carefully," said Wang Jian, director of the Beijing education examinations authority.
 

（www.eduwo.com, Anna）