The Ministry of Education (MOE) has called for efforts to deal with the likelihood of students cheating the college entrance exam system by sitting the tests outside of the area in which they are registered.
Over the years, some students "migrate" to provinces where pass grades are lower and the enrollment rates are higher than others, in order to realize their dream of entering a college.
In a circular on Tuesday, the MOE ordered administrators of the college entrance exam, or "gaokao," to crack down on "gaokao migration" this summer.
They should work with public security agencies to punish anyone who tries to take the exam outside their home province or city through measures including illegal transfer of household registration, or "hukou," and fabricating documents, the MOE said.
Hukou used to confine children to attending schools in their home provinces. Since 2003, China has gradually eased the restrictions.
Guangdong Province is among a handful of places that allows children of migrant parents who meet certain requirements, such as how long they have lived and worked locally, to sit the gaokao there.
However, the policies have worried education authorities who fear they may lead to more illegal "gaokao migration."
The circular also called for more consistent implementation of rules on whether or not gaokao credit can be awarded for sporting or artistic achievement.
