Too much emphasis on memorising text robbed some HKCEE candidates of straight 10 A(1)s, according to two of the four students who scored nine A(1)s at La Salle College. Chan Ming-chiu and Wong Tsz-kit, both 17, narrowly missed their 10th A in Religious Studies and Chinese Language respectively.
They said the over-emphasis on memorising notes and text prevented them from scoring top honours with 10 As.
'The Chinese Language syllabus requires us to study and memorise most of the chapters in the books,' Tsz-kit said.
'It has made me paranoid. After doing all this memorising in the last two years, my Chinese language skills have declined because I didn't have time to read any other Chinese materials.' Tsz-kit scored straight A(1)s in English Language, Economics, Religious Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Computer Studies and a B(4) in Chinese Language.
Ming-chiu, a silver medallist in the International Mathematics Olympics' Hong Kong selection contest, felt exasperated that he was just one step away from being a top scorer.
'I didn't expect to get 10 As but I think I did quite well in the Religious Studies exam,' he said.