Article source: Yangcheng Evening News 2011-2-28A04

writer: Xia Yang editor: Chai Shanshan

Yangcheng Evening News reported, the Guangdong test of Sun Yat-Sen University’s 2011 self-selected admission examination was held on Feburary 27th, almost 5500 candidates took the test at nine exam centers within the province. Lasted from eight thirty in the morning to eleven fifty at noon, this test only included three disciplines: Chinese, English and Math(Liberal arts/Sciences). Compared with the three big joint examinations which cover the whole day, or even burning the midnight oil, the test of SYSU can be described as "short, smooth, speedy".

Nine exam centers were set within the province this time (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Fuoshan, Zhuhai, Huizhou, Shantou, Zhanjiang, Jieyang), Candidates could choose the nearby exam center when printing their Admission Card in the earlier stage. On Feburary 27th, more than 2800 candidates took the test at the Guangzhou exam center within SYSU.

The Admission Office of SYSU says that after the written test of the joint examination and Guangdong examination, 1200 candidates will be qualified to attend the interview. Based on the interview, about 600 to 700 candidates will get qualification to SYSU’s self-selected Admission.

It is said that in middle March, candidates who have taken the self-selected admission examination can login to the online registration system on SYSU’s Admission website to check their written test scores. The interview of the self-selected admission examination will be held in late March, candidates could pay attention to the latest notifications in “Admission Announcement” on the homepage of SYSU’s Undergraduate Admissions website.

Interviews Will Examine the Specialities of the Students

Different from the evaluation systems of several other joint university entrance examinations, the test of SYSU in Guangdong Province included merely three subjects which lasted for half a day with 1 hour’s testing time for each section. Additionally, the examination papers on different subjects would be handed out seperately and a ten minutes’ break was allowed between different sections. “This arrangement offers suffice rest periods for students which would be beneficial to their performance. And it seems quite scientific, and humanized as well.” The parent of one of the examinees said.

"Chinese, Maths and English are fundamental subjects. Therefore tests on these will reveal students’ real academic abilities.” Mr Mei, father of one examinee, thought that it was usually the top students who successfully survived from the first round of examination.

However, there were also challenging voices coming from the parents. Mr Zhang argued that exams based on these three subjects differed so little from the traditional college entrance examination that the distinctive characteristics of students could not be fully demonstrated, which was unfair to those who failed to balance all the subjects. Regarding to these dissents, the Admission Office of SYSU responsed on the test day, “The exam of Chinese, Maths and English is mean to test candidates’ basic learning capabilities ( because all students are required to study them in the high school), while knowledge of other subjects as well as their specialities will be examined during the interviews.”

Choosing SYSU, Being pragmatic

The union exam of 13 colleges and universities, which was held in Guangdong Province, has attracted 1,300 high school students. Compared with it, the entrance exam held by Sun Yat-sen University has appealed to more than 5,000 students. Why is SYSU so popular? According to a journalist’s interview, the main reasons are: SYSU is a local university that enjoys a high reputation and the students, who think they’ve just reached the standard, don’t want to miss the opportunity.

One of the students’ parents Mr. Wu told the journalist that his son Wu Shuai, who studies in Guangzhou No.7 Middle School, is not the No.1 student in his class, more or less, top 10. “He may not be excellent enough to get admitted by Peking University. To choose SYSU is a way of being pragmatic” Mr. Wu said. Wu Shuai is interested in science and innovation and he has won the national patent three times and numerous other prizes. He fits SYSU’s standards. “He has already aimed at SYSU, International Finance and Trade.” Mr. Wu told the journalist.

Similar to the National College Entrance Examination

Is the exam held by SYSU difficult or not? Many students thought it’s similar to the National College Entrance Examination. It is required to answer many questions in a limited time, but the questions are not difficult.

According to the students, math is tough and English is easy. The topic of the Chinese composition is abstract. Students were required to solve two problems, ten multiple choices and ten fill in the blanks in math. In the Chinese exam, they were required to read an ancient Chinese prose and an article. Also, they were required to write a composition based on the topic The Mirror and the Light. In general, the exam held by SYSU is much easier than those held by Peking University Union or Tsinghua University Union.