China's infamous university entrance exam, known as the gaokao, has long been a target of criticism. Admissions are based solely on the points scored in one exam, and the need for rote memorisation does little to foster creative minds. Now the government has taken its first tentative steps towards reforming the system. In December it announced that the English-language part of the test can be taken several times, with the best score counting. More significantly, it said it would move towards an evaluation process where the test did not make up 100% of the score, and would include more subjective assessments of, for instance, extra-curricular activities. Details are expected this year. Many see these reforms as long overdue. But some educators claim a move away from a straightforward points-based system will harm those who most need help getting into university: students from poorer, rural areas.
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