CRI听力: Independent College Exams Flawed, But Welcomed

More top universities in China have held their own entrance exams so far this year to select top undergraduate applicants months before the annual national exam.

As Su Yi reports, national political advisors say the country's long-waited college admission reforms are on the right track in an effort to make higher education more diversified.

Some of the 200-thousand candidates who joined the independent written exams last month are now facing the interview section and physical test this weekend which they were not trained for thoroughly in high school classrooms.

In total 34 of the 80 Chinese universities that are qualified to pick some top students by themselves came together this year in at least four leagues to give the written exam.

Luo Lixiong, physics professor from Guangxi University and also member of the national political advisory body, says it is a good thing that more universities and students join the independent exams. But Prof. Luo worries it will put extra burden on senior high students.

From spring to early summer is the most intense period for candidates taking the national college entrance exam. Now some students may have to prepare for another one, or for some - three separate exams which also are very different from the national one they will face in June.

National political advisor Zhang Qun is also the headmaster of Shanghai Kongjiang Middle Scholl.

"I always support independent exam, but it should not become a battle among top universities for top applicants. I think for those universities that do not have clear thinking about what kind of talent they want it is not necessary to do this. Besides, those exams may make our high school textbooks even harder."

College admission officer Chen Yuehong from Peking University says for top universities, independent admission is necessary.

"Clearly one national exam is not enough to pick diversified talent since far more students are now taking the exam. We do get more talent that usually would not be accepted by Peking University in the national exam which evaluates students solely on written papers."

Apart from the independent exams, China's universities now also accept candidates recommended by the heads of some well-known middle schools, though this channel only covers a tiny part of the some 10 million high school graduates every year in China.

National advisor Zhang Qun says these college admission reforms are on the right track.

"A different person has different potential and no one can have them all. What we should do is to find the appropriate way to nurture them in university and help them prepare well for their future life and career."

Though more than 95 of college students in China are still recruited through the national exam, national advisors say the whole admission system is facing some real changes now, so ambitious ideas and even failed attempts should be tolerated.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.