My third child is studying in the 8th grade which means that he is getting closer to the exit exams of the junior school/ or the senior high school entrance exam. Therefore, his homeroom teacher gives many more tests to prod him and his classmates to study harder and also to enhance the learning effect. In this way, to a certain extent, it represents the teacher’s conscientiousness. So, don’t blame him/ her too much. But, if we discuss it in the perspective of an educational system, there are some things that need to be worked on. Take the number and quality of the exams as an example; what kind of tests do they use? Are they mechanical or creative? fragmental knowledge or core notions? In total, how many tests can students put up with each week? It’s a question that has to be continually considered. These questions seem basic and simple but are thought-provoking Because they lead to the mire of rote learning, a century-long issue in China, is there nothing we, including teachers, educators, principals and parents, can really do, except being bound or entangled there?

    I don’t think so. There are steps we can take:

    First, try to cut down on the number of exams as much as possible while spending more time to improve the quality of teaching.

    Second, select the ○○○ most valuable and core-notion-centered questions.

    Be a smart, intellectual and sensitive teacher. Compete with your traditional teachers on the achievement goal, the best teaching and the least exam.