高等教育自学考试 ,作为我国高等教育的重要组成部分 ,曾取得过辉煌的成绩。世纪之初 ,其本身的发展既面临挑战 ,又面临机遇。作者认为 ,高教自考要实现可持续发展 ,就必须进一步完善社会助学体系 ,适时调整开考专业 ,积极培育新的发展增长点 ,发挥优势 ,办出特色 ,强化质量意识和质量管理 Self-study examination of higher education, as an important part of China’s higher education, has made brilliant achievements. At the beginning of this century, its own development faces both challenges and opportunities. The author believes that to achieve sustainable development, higher education self-study must further improve social aid system, adjust open exams profession timely, actively cultivate new growth points of development, give full play to its advantages, make distinctions, strengthen quality awareness and quality management