According to the 2015 report, top scorers' career achievement and contribution fails to meet people's expectation. [Photo: Xinhua]

New figures show the number of students sitting the National University Entrance Exam, the gaokao, is declining this year.

The number of students sitting this year's exam, in particular, Beijing, Liaoning and Jiangsu has hit 10-year lows.

Professor Du Peng with Renmin University says there could be a number of factors behind the decline.

"The main reason is the decreasing birth rate in China for the past number of years. The side-effect is now starting to show up. Another reason is some students choose to go to vocational schools. So this is normal."

Professor Zhao Zhiqun with Beijing Normal University also says the lure of an overseas education is also drawing Chinese students, even though the prices are significantly higher.

"Let's say Princeton University -- it makes around 20 billion dollars a year through enrollment, which means 200-thousand dollars for each single student. We have to admit there is a huge gap between Chinese universities and the top universities in the world when it comes to doing research and teaching. The education abroad in-general is much more individualistic and diverse, which is why some students want to pursue their studies abroad."

The number of students taking the 'gaokao' peaked in 2008, when 10.5-million students sat the national college entrance exam.

Around 9-million students are expected to take the tests this year, in early June.