A total of 3.41 million people have applied for the postgraduate entrance examination, which will begin on Saturday and last until Monday, for the 2020 academic year, according to the Ministry of Education, chinanews.com reported.

This year the figure has increased more than 17 percent over the previous year. A total of 2.90 million people applied for the exam for 2019 academic year, a 21 percent rise over 2018, according to the report.

Data released by an information website for postgraduate enrollment showed the number of students taking the exam doubled in Jiangsu, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces in the past five years.

The increase in postgraduate aspirants is because the demand for higher education in China remains strong.

Xiong Bingqi, vice-director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said many students apply for postgraduate studies mainly to find a better job.

"Many people pursue higher education not to enhance their knowledge or skills, but to get a good job. This may reduce the general quality of graduates. As a result, companies may find it harder to get the employees they want," he said.