The 2023 National Postgraduate Entrance Exam will be held as scheduled from Dec 24 to 26, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday, dispersing worries that it might be delayed due to the recent COVID-19 outbreaks.

Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that the exam takes place as scheduled and that all test takers can participate safely, the ministry said in a notice.

Local education authorities need to coordinate with other departments to make sure the arrangements for the test centers, personnel, equipment and epidemic control measures are in place.

Universities also need to provide better services to students who are about to take the exam, the ministry said.

Test takers who are in a different provincial region than where the test center is located and have difficulties returning can apply to take the exam in the region they are currently in, according to the ministry.

Local education authorities should optimize services for test takers, provide information about the test and epidemic control measures in a timely manner, pay attention to the psychological well-being of the students and help those in need, it said.

The ministry also released information about related hotlines and websites, as well as the public WeChat accounts and e-mail addresses of all provincial education examination authorities to answer any concerns students may have.

A record 4.57 million candidates signed up to take the national postgraduate entrance exam this year. Experts estimate that number will increase next year.