Comparison of comprehensive evaluation’s and unified examination’s effectiveness in university enrolment: Chinese evidence from propensity score matching analysis

Against the backdrop of global transformations in university admission systems, the quest for an enrolment paradigm that efficiently identifies and selects high-quality students has gained paramount significance. With the help of propensity score matching (PSM), this study controlled students' backgrounds and compared the performance of students admitted to the university by comprehensive evaluation and by unified examination. The results of this investigation find that there was no significant difference in professional identity, academic performance, and career competence between the two groups of students. However, compared with students admitted by comprehensive evaluation, students who were admitted by unified examination were more inclined to use deep learning strategies. Based on these findings, this research suggested that countries and universities around the world should pay more attention to unified examination when selecting students, and the reform of university enrolment should fully consider the national conditions and seek progress while maintaining stability.