Mainland student admits faking TOEFL score to graduate from Lingnan University

A mainland Chinese student admitted in court on Monday (Jan 19) to submitting a falsified TOEFL English test result to meet graduation requirements at Lingnan University.

The 22-year-old woman, Huang Xinyi, pleaded guilty at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts to attempting to obtain services by deception. Sentencing was adjourned to February 2 pending a social service order report, and she was granted bail in the meantime.

Huang was enrolled in the university’s self-financed Public Administration and Smart Governance program, which requires a minimum TOEFL score of 87 or an IELTS score of 6.5 for graduation.

After failing four English tests, Huang traveled to Cambodia in May 2024 to sit the TOEFL exam. The court heard that she then arranged for another person to take the test on her behalf for US$300 after becoming ill on the exam day.

Lingnan University raised concerns after receiving her submitted score report, noting that the photograph did not match her appearance. When questioned, Huang claimed the image had been altered for cosmetic reasons. The university subsequently contacted the TOEFL authority, which confirmed that impersonation had occurred. Huang admitted the offense.

Huang later met the English-language requirement and was issued a bachelor’s degree by Lingnan University. According to the defense, Huang continued to improve herself and enrolled in a master’s program at Hong Kong Baptist University, and is expected to graduate this year.

Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang Siu-hung said integrity and responsibility are core values of Hong Kong’s education system and urged Huang to reflect on her conduct.

A second mainland student, 24, earlier pleaded guilty to the same charge after submitting a falsified TOEFL result to graduate from the same program. His sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday (Jan 20).