Time for a rethink on exams

Students in Hong Kong have to face two public examinations in secondary school. One is the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in Form Five. The other is the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination in Form Seven. Students' results are wholly determined by their performance in these exams.

Some people think it may not be fair to students and suggest that 50 per cent of the marks for all subjects in these two exams should be based on the students' course work. However, others do not think the original system should be changed.

Even if a student always has good results in his academic work - but doesn't perform well in the exam - he cannot get a satisfactory certificate. Since university entry and some jobs require good results in the public exams, a student's prospects may be destroyed.

Students obtaining good results in their school work may not get high marks in the public exams, but those who get bad results in school may get high public exam marks if they are lucky. If 50 per cent of all subject work in the public exams is based on course work, this situation can be righted. Exam results will be more reasonable and fairer.

Besides, the current exam system puts students under great pressure. As results are determined by their performance in the exams only - and influence their prospects - some students may value exams above all else. They constantly study, study and study. They stop taking part in extra-curricular activities and do nothing but revision.

If results are unsatisfactory, we are always hearing from the TV or newspaper that a student has committed suicide. Changing the system can help improve the situation. When students' exam performance is less than satisfactory, they are not in a hopeless position since their course work can help remedy matters. Hence, the pressure public exams place on students will not be so great.