In most Chinese high schools, outdated rote learning is the norm. But one school in Beijing is promoting creativity and independent thinking.
In China, a student's school years are typically very demanding. But when some students get into university, they start to take it easy.
Students in China are taking a key exam that will determine their future. But focusing on the exam, the gao kao, may rob students of creativity.
High school graduates in China must take the gao kao. These national college entrance exams decide who gets into the best schools and eventually the best jobs. But as China moves toward a more innovation-based economy, the tests may prove problematic.

More from China: The Test

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Chinese school defies rigid exam-focused education

Thursday, June 9, 2011
In most Chinese high schools, outdated rote learning is the norm. But one school in Beijing is promoting creativity and independent thinking.
Posted In: China
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China's university students sometimes slack off

Wednesday, June 8, 2011
In China, a student's school years are typically very demanding. But when some students get into university, they start to take it easy.
Posted In: China
8

The downside of exam-based education in China

Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Students in China are taking a key exam that will determine their future. But focusing on the exam, the gao kao, may rob students of creativity.
Posted In: China
9

The problem with China's college entry test

Monday, June 6, 2011
High school graduates in China must take the gao kao. These national college entrance exams decide who gets into the best schools and eventually the best jobs. But as China moves toward a more innovation-based economy, the tests may prove problematic.
Posted In: China

Most Commented

9

The problem with China's college entry test

Monday, June 6, 2011
High school graduates in China must take the gao kao. These national college entrance exams decide who gets into the best schools and eventually the best jobs. But as China moves toward a more innovation-based economy, the tests may prove problematic.
Posted In: China
8

The downside of exam-based education in China

Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Students in China are taking a key exam that will determine their future. But focusing on the exam, the gao kao, may rob students of creativity.
Posted In: China

Chinese students consistently wow the rest of the world with their high rankings in international standardized tests. But for those inside China's education system, the results aren't surprising. Chinese students spend much of their K-12 years studying for one test: The national college entrance examinations, commonly known as the gao kao. This week, more than 10 million high school graduates throughout the country will take the three-day test. Our series, "China's Obsession with the Test," will examine how China's test-obsessed culture threatens the country's plans for an innovation-based economy and may stop foreign businesses from recruiting new talent in the Middle Kingdom.

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