A policy whereby students have to take the gaokao, or university entrance examination, in the place where they are registered, regardless of where they live, will remain unchanged in the capital, despite officials from the Ministry of Education encouraging authorities to loosen the restriction.

Du Yubo, vice-minister of education, said at a press conference on March 28 that the country is encouraging local governments to roll out plans to allow students to take the exam where they live rather than where they are registered.

"Officials from the Ministry of Education are investigating the best way and timing to reform the policy, but until a decision is made, we can't do anything," said Gao Fuqin, director of the Beijing Examinations Authority's university admission office during a press briefing on Wednesday.