BBC: Math education in China

jbusc
Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:06:19 +0000

This is actually quite interesting…

It seems to me, though, like the chinese test question is made overly complicated and that’s why it’s hard, not really because it’s conceptually hard.

I mean, I’m a science/engineering major and I know a lot of really advanced math…and while I’m sure I could solve it if I invested 10-15 minutes into it, I’m not sure what it would prove.

Which is not to say the simpler question shows anything more. It’s clear what it’s testing for: basic exposure to the material, i.e., the minimum standard for all students. Obviously students who go on to study sci/math/engineering need to know a lot more.