Graduate examination scores have become a more noticeable feature of admission requirements for postgraduate courses, combined with a first degree and/or working experience, and language tests if studying outside Hong Kong.
Those most frequently required are the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for MBA and business courses and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for arts and science programmes.
For MBA courses worldwide, including Hong Kong, a GMAT score is often prerequisite. It may be used to forecast academic achievement on the programme, particularly if it has been many years since a candidate's first degree. Another reason suggested for the global rise of GMAT, previously more a US university requirement, is the importance of rankings to business school programmes in an increasingly competitive market, with test scores for incoming classes among the criteria used.
GMAT is a test consisting of analytical writing and quantitative and verbal reasoning, with all sections taken on the same day. It can be re-taken (up to five times in one year) if applicants want to try to improve their score.
The GRE is more likely to be asked for by US universities to assess general competencies for entrance to arts and science postgraduate programmes. It is also required by some courses offered by Hong Kong universities.
In Hong Kong, the GRE general test is taken in two parts: computer-based analytical writing; and paper-based quantitative reasoning. These are taken on different dates. There is limited availability for taking the paper-based test in Hong Kong, so applicants need to plan ahead.