An increasing number of students who have achieved high scores on the national college entrance examination eschew enrolling at university right away to retake the test the following year in the hopes of gaining entry to the China's most prestigious universities, including Peking and Tsinghua Universities.

A People's Daily article says this phenomenon follows a common view that a prestigious university offers better employment opportunities.

The author says a student's personal qualities are more important than his or her educational background in seeking employment. An example given in the article is a Peking University graduate selling sugar-coated hawthorns on the street after failing to gain employment.

The author urges students to always be diligent in their studies. If graduates can demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities before employers, they will be more successful in finding a job.

The author adds students should carefully consider all options before deciding on whether to retake the exam or not. 

(CRI August 2, 2006)