An education resuscitation conference of the government has proposed introducing a new system of university entrance exams that will place emphasis on the character of candidate students. But the proposal is very vague and likely to cause confusion for high schools and universities. The education ministry's Central Council of Education should thoroughly examine the proposal and determine whether it is truly desirable and workable.
The conference calls for complete revision of the current nationwide common test given to candidate students by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations. In January 2013, some 540,000 students sat for the Center tests. A total of 840 public and private universities and junior colleges use the results of the common test, as well as those of their own tests, in considering the admission of students.
According to the proposal, the common test will be divided into two parts. The first part will measure students' basic learning achievement and the second part will gauge students' ability to receive university education. In the second part, students will be divided into several ranks in accordance with their test results and the scale of points will be abolished. This is ostensibly being done to end an overemphasis on testing knowledge. Students will also be allowed to take the common test several times a year.