What was the number of candidates for the 2014 Beijing College Entrance Examination?
There were over 73,000 candidates registered for the 2014 Beijing College Entrance Examination.
How did the number of candidates compare to previous years?
The number of candidates was slightly lower than the previous years due to the implementation of a new policy that allowed students to take the exam in their hometowns instead of traveling to Beijing.
What were some of the challenges faced by the candidates?
The exam was held during a heatwave, which made the testing conditions extremely uncomfortable. Additionally, due to the high level of competition, candidates faced immense pressure to perform well on the exam.
What were some of the notable achievements of the candidates?
Several candidates achieved perfect scores on the exam, earning them the title of \"College Entrance Examination Tsars.\" Additionally, some candidates were admitted to prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University and Peking University.
What were some of the criticisms of the exam?
Some critics argued that the exam placed too much emphasis on rote memorization and did not adequately test critical thinking skills. Additionally, the exam was criticized for putting too much pressure on students and contributing to a culture of academic competitiveness in China.
What were some of the changes made to the exam in subsequent years?
In response to some of the criticisms of the exam, the government implemented several changes in subsequent years. These changes included reducing the weight of the exam in university admissions, introducing more open-ended questions to test critical thinking skills, and allowing students to submit applications to universities through a centralized online platform.