About 10,000 final year students of Government-funded degree programmes have registered for the International English Language Testing System under the fifth round of the Common English Proficiency Assessment Scheme, up 3% on last year.

The scheme was launched in 2002-03 when more than 7,300 students joined the assessment.

The University Grants Committee said rising participation reflects the students' confidence in their English, and their recognition of the assessment's value.

In 2005-06 the committee offered summer testing sessions to give students and employers more options. They will continue in 2006-07 due to their popularity.

About 1,100 students have already registered for the 2006-07 summer testing sessions.