Universities in more than 20 countries and regions now accepted Gaokao scores, and many of those schools are actively recruiting Chinese students. [File photo]

Universities in more than 20 countries and regions now accepted Gaokao scores, and many of those schools are actively recruiting Chinese students.

Foreign universities have been holding interviews in major cities in China and extended application deadlines on the Chinese mainland to allow students to apply with their Gaokao records.

A candidate from southwest China's Sichuan province has just finished an interview in Beijing, and says Gaokao results are helpful.

"It provides me with a good opportunity and I don't have to make any extra preparations. I can directly apply with my gaokao scores."

Xu Jing, a consultant with an overseas education consultancy agency, says the volume of online searches for information about overseas universities has seen a significant increase after this year's Gaokao.

"Statistics from our website show that the online searches for information about overseas universities rose by 43 percent after gaokao."

Academic achievements come first when overseas universities evaluate students.