Putting it to the test

HONG KONG - Doubts arise again over whether liberal studies - an exam without model answers - will be graded fairly after public figures received inconsistent marks in trials.

TVB invited Dr David Lee Ka-yan and legislator Tanya Chan to take liberal studies' practice papers issued by the Examinations and Assessment Authority last week. Two liberal studies teachers then graded their answers anonymously.

One of the questions asks whether candidates agree with former Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen's remarks last January about young people leaning towards radicalism.

Lee answered that social unrest always exists. Chan wrote that last year's protests against a high-speed railway prove teenagers are not selfish and that it is unfair to say they are radical.

Teacher Ho Lik-gou told TVB that Lee performed better because he offered various perspectives and he supported his arguments with evidence. Ho thought Chan's answers went astray.

The second examiner, Lam pui-yi, preferred Chan's response because it had a clear stance and showed better structure. Lee failed because he only restated the incidents.

Liberal studies teacher Lau Tin-ming says the mock paper was easier than he expected.

'Candidates need to show examiners their ability to think critically and impartially,' Lau says.

He has not yet received a formal grading guideline but thinks the process will be fair.