The test results of Hong Kong students reveal they are among the world's top in mathematics.
In April, 900 pupils from 10 primary schools took part in World Class Arena (WCA), a worldwide test devised and administered by the British government since 2001 to identify students in the top 10 per cent in mathematics and problem-solving.
It was the first time Hong Kong has taken part in the test. Among 4,000 overseas students, 28.2 per cent of the Hong Kong participants aged between eight and 11 scored a distinction in the test, showing that they are among the top 10 per cent in the subject for their age.
The Hong Kong students did better in mathematics than problem-solving - 68.3 per cent got a pass in mathematics, of which 28.2 per cent scored a distinction and 19.2 per cent a merit.
In the problem-solving test, 59.4 per cent passed, of which 9.5 per cent scored a distinction and 18.8 per cent a merit. WCA also identified eight 'best of the best' number crunchers, who stood out from their counterparts.
They include Leung Ling-yi of Pegasus Philip Wong Kin Hang Christian Primary School, Chung Tin-ngai of Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove), Karen Yuen Ka-wan of Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Lin Yin-long of Canossa School Hong Kong (AM), Yu Beiping of Pegasus Philip Wong Kin Hang Christian Primary School, Justin Ng Ching-ho of Diocesan Preparatory School, Samuel Tang Yik-kan of Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School and Felix Wu Sing-long of Yaumatei Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road).
'The questions were interesting and challenging,' said Beiping, nine, who scored a distinction in mathematics.