Around 2.9 million Chinese students sit for the national postgraduate entrance exam from December 22 to 24. /VCG Photo

The number of candidates taking the exam increased by 520,000 compared with last year, up by 21 percent. /VCG Photo

According to data from China’s Ministry of Education, since 2017, the number of applicants has increased sharply. The reason is mainly attributed to employment pressure and competitiveness, a survey done by Education Online, an educational digital service, analyzed. /VCG Photo

To meet the demand, 28 top-notch universities, including the Fudan University, have expanded their enrolment plans. /VCG Photo

About 20 percent of students will take the exam for the second time, and six percent for the third time, Education Online survey said.