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Proposals for core and optional exams

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Changes proposed by the Examinations Authority to reduce pressure on students and to ensure the fairness of a new examination system are being discussed.

Under new proposals, pupils would be allowed to take the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in Form Four and Advanced-level Examination in Form Six.

There is a recommendation that a 'core competence' section be set for each subject.

Students who think they are not up to standard could concentrate on the core section and ignore the other paper which would include more in-depth questions. Those who pass the core section would be graded E, while those who perform well in both sections would be graded A to D.

The authority said the proposals would achieve both 'certification' and 'selection' functions. Authority deputy chairman Tam Man-kwan said: 'The core section is a must for all candidates. Even those who want to get higher scores must first pass this paper. Otherwise, they will be unclassified, even if they get high marks in the second section.' 'So the new grade E would reflect the true ability of individual students whereas the current grade E compares students' performance,' Mr Tam said.

However, legislator Cheung Man-kwong, president of the Professional Teachers Union, doubted the effectiveness of the proposals.

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