Impudent Domain: not me, I was always way better at test taking than doing and understanding the actual work.

/It's true, I test high, but get confused on a daily basis.

Me too. I half-assed my way through school, but I did very well because I kick ass at test taking.

/hi-five

flucto: Face it. The Asian education systems are superior to our own, and we spend too much time trying to make sure the snowflakes are happy and involved.

Primary school, maybe. University, no way.

True, for now. Give it 30 more years. China is just waking up right now.

More specifically,



Agrees.

Instead of studying for the exam I would learn Kung Fu. Then, I would threaten to beat up a smart kid unless he took the exam for me. Once again violence solves our problems.

BlorfMaster: What is the 'brown' asian?

Indian / South Asian / Desi. Or maybe Filipino or Malaysian. Not Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

H31N0US: BlorfMaster: What is the 'brown' asian?

Indian / South Asian / Desi. Or maybe Filipino or Malaysian. Not Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

I thought it was something like the Cleveland Steamer.

Hot Carl To Go: H31N0US: BlorfMaster: What is the 'brown' asian?

Indian / South Asian / Desi. Or maybe Filipino or Malaysian. Not Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

I thought it was something like the Cleveland Steamer.

LOL!!! I'm pretty sure it can be depending on what part of Manila or Bangkok you happen to be in.

Ching chang cho... bad air. hong thong dingo cha changgy chinggy chang chang.

TERRIBLE AIR

Hot Carl To Go: I thought it was something like the Cleveland Steamer.

You would think that, Hot Carl. Have a Cincinnati Bowtie while you're at it.

InmanRoshi When I was undecided what to do with my major in college, I went to my adviser's office and took an aptitude and personality test that was supposed to lead me to my "ideal career". Seemed like a bunch of pseudo science, new agey, easily manipulated nonsense that some generic psych major pulled from his arse.

I would have rather taken the intensive 2 day test.

My career test in high school told me I should be a worm farmer. So I don't hold much stock in those either. Lame.

/I do teach HS freshmen though, so maybe it wasn't far off after all

I think we call that the Bar Exam.

/nailed it
//it sucked

tonesskin
Someone to come in and complain about their stupid ass Bar Exam (an exam that an amoeba could pass) in 3...2...

Isn't it different for every state? Or is the first day the same for every state and the second day is state specific?

/NAL, never will be a lawyer, girlfriend is currently studying for the bar, I don't think I'll see her until August...

taniquelle: I think we call that the Bar Exam.

/nailed it
//it sucked

Wisconsin Graduation Privilege FTW

Mayor Bee: Hot Carl To Go: I thought it was something like the Cleveland Steamer.

You would think that, Hot Carl. Have a Cincinnati Bowtie while you're at it.

Just as soon as I Saran Wrap my cubicle...

Over here, what would be equivalent to a college preparatory high school (gymnasium - the institution, not the sweaty kind), would culminate in the matriculation examination/abitur after 3 years of studies. The results from these exams (1 day/subject, 3 to 6 hours each, minimum of 4 subjects) combined with the grades you've received during those 3 years might qualify you directly to a university or institute of technology. However, most of the universities only use the matriculation examination results as the first "elimination round" and require you to attend a separate set of admission tests to evaluate your suitability to the faculty in question. These tests can take anywhere from half a day to ~5 days plus possible pre-pepared assignments one has to submit for evaluation.

The matriculation examination procedure has changed a bit since my days (lawn, off it, etc.) as the student is no longer required to complete all the tests during the same spring.

Didn't really enjoy that period of my life, too much damn studying required...

Hot Carl To Go: Just as soon as I Saran Wrap my cubicle...

I think Ikea is having a sale on glass top coffee tables right now. You might want to think about investing in one or three. :)

getdown1975: Hot Carl To Go: H31N0US: BlorfMaster: What is the 'brown' asian?

Indian / South Asian / Desi. Or maybe Filipino or Malaysian. Not Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

I thought it was something like the Cleveland Steamer.

LOL!!! I'm pretty sure it can be depending on what part of Manila or Bangkok you happen to be in.

Angel City / Pad Pong / and let's not forget good old Wan Chai in Hong Kong?

The gaokao isn't a hard exam, but long and boring. I can understand the pressure, but most people prepare for it enough that they should just fall into the zone. For what it's worth, the SAT wasn't hard either once you figured out what type of written section would be sufficient.

I can\'t believe countries do this, japan does this too. A lot of people commit suicide and kill their families over this test. Woohoo!!!

tonesskin: Someone to come in and complain about their stupid ass Bar Exam (an exam that an amoeba could pass) in 3...2...

how about the ARE exam that Architects need? its a nine day test, and its impossible to take all the parts in the same time frame.

PYROY: I feel lucky for not living in China, period.

Trust me, there are far far far worse places to live. Outside of the air quality, Shanghai is amazing. Beijing has better air quality (as of February), and amazing cultural relics.

How come all the the universities in the States are packed with Chinese grad students? Is it that our schools are better, or that these guys are China's idiots and they can succeed here, or is it the only alternative after you failed to get good placement in China's system?

burrgrinder: How come all the the universities in the States are packed with Chinese grad students? Is it that our schools are better, or that these guys are China's idiots and they can succeed here, or is it the only alternative after you failed to get good placement in China's system?

Funding

If you think the SAT was tough, you're lucky you aren't a student in China and taking a two-day test that basically decides your you're very future

Sorry pet peave

Impudent Domain: not me, I was always way better at test taking than doing and understanding the actual work.

/It's true, I test high, but get confused on a daily basis.

Same here. I managed to pass the FE on the first try without a day of studying and I didn't even take classes on half of that shiat (Equation book FTW). I felt kind of bad for all the other engineers who were taking it for the 2nd or 3rd time.

/thinks maybe it's because he's yellow

NiceBeaver: Face it. The Asian education systems are superior to our own, and we spend too much time trying to make sure the snowflakes are happy and involved.

/need more math
//need more science

As I understand it such exams don't test your knowledge of math or science, they test your ability to blindly memorize large amounts of information. Math and science are about your ability to think not your ability to regurgitate what some book has said.

The SAT actually takes it one step further, the math section doesn't test your ability to regurgitate math textbooks but rather your ability to read/find the trick they put into the question (ie: pointless fluff that makes the obvious solution the bad one). The GRE for example doesn't do this but then again engineers pretty much ace that exam all the time (imho it was a lot easier than the SAT since you didn't need to learn to find tricks in questions).

My dad took a placement exam waaaaaaaaay back (off his lawn, he has guns) in the Old Country (Thailand). He wanted to be an engineer, but he scored too high on the entrance exam (boo-hoo, right?)and placed into medical school.

He thinks the way we place students here makes no sense. But I think I'd have to agree.

you know what REALLY decides your future?


where you happened to get born
and how much love was put inside you

Cagey B: Come oooonnnnn research scientist!

*opens envelope, reads*

Dear Cagey B.

The Chinese Government, based on your test scores, has determined that your profession will be to dress in a diaper and turban, and spend years at a time digging irrigation ditches, or building roads, depending on the situation.

You can expect to spend your entire life on the outskirts of Shanghai doing this, except in the rare instances where you will be asked to build small, one-square fortresses, or be attacked by War Elephants.

Please report for duty immediately.

Love,

Chinese Super Authority Bureau

Dawwwww crap.

Oh, it's not that bad.

If you can survive into the modern age, you can get upgraded as an engineer and wear a hard hat and look all sophisticated and stuff! Hopefully the Chinese government will keep you in the center of the country and be smart enough to shelter you in Shanghai when those war elephants get close. Yeah, it's a crappy job, but units like you take a few turns to replace and the Chinese want to be free to spend their resources on building troops for that upcoming invasion against the Aztecs. You have no idea how valuable you are. Those roads generate more tax revenue, you know.

NiceBeaver: /need more math
//need more science

As a graduate student with a solid foundation in both of those, I see your "education" and raise you "jobs."

We need JOBS in science and math before anyone's going to see the point of going into them. They're hard and should be compensated accordingly with higher job security. That's not the case these days.

mrEdude: you know what REALLY decides your future?


where you happened to get born
and how much love was put inside you

I'll put love inside you.

*shakes fist*

If you think the SAT was tough, yYou're lucky you aren't a student in China and taking a two-day test that basically decides your very future

fixed

Approves.

Single White Male: Me too. I half-assed my way through school, but I did very well because I kick ass at test taking.

/hi-five

I'm in the same category. I scored pretty high on the SAT, and have always maintained above average grades while completely ignoring all the classes I am in and just showing up for tests. K-12 were a complete and utter waste of my time, barring the social interaction and experience gained there. College has been a complete waste of time as well, except for a few classes in my major.

/everything important you have to learn yourself anyway

Arbitrator: As a graduate student with a solid foundation in both of those, I see your "education" and raise you "jobs."

We need JOBS in science and math before anyone's going to see the point of going into them. They're hard and should be compensated accordingly with higher job security. That's not the case these days.

Well personally I'd disagree since I haven't had much trouble finding a job in math. Granted in reality I don't do math as much as "solve problems with whatever tools are needed" (which so far has included computer science, programming, statistics, economics and mathematics) but having a solid mathematical foundation really does help in that area. Also if by graduate school you mean "PhD" then the investment may not be worth it.

The thing is that you can't just study some random section of "math" or "science" and expect to get a job. You need to find an area that will have jobs available when you graduate and if you're going into industry to need to also learn practical skills.

That's why I don't, nor want to, live in China.

PeeOnYou: If you think the SAT was tough, you're lucky you aren't a student in China and taking a two-day test that basically decides your you're very future


huh?
... decides you are very future
?

If the chiense are so smart how come they dont invent their own stuff instead of ripping off everyone elses technology?

Longtime Lurker: /unimpressed.

8 hours including a break and only if you want to be a doctor. Get back to studying, slacker.

In Communist China - Test TAKES YOU!!

LemSkroob: tonesskin: Someone to come in and complain about their stupid ass Bar Exam (an exam that an amoeba could pass) in 3...2...

how about the ARE exam that Architects need? its a nine day test, and its impossible to take all the parts in the same time frame.

That test is the hardest thing I ever tried and failed. I didn't even bother going back. I literally changed careers to not take it again.

They have a test like that here - it's called the LSAT.

Longtime Lurker: /unimpressed.

Take mine June 12th. I'm starting to freak out a little (or a lot)

There's only one question on the exam that matters.

Are you now and have you been a member of the Communist Party?

Answer yes and you've made it.

It's times like these that makes me glad that my folks emigrated to New Zealand before I was old enough to enter a Chinese school.

Can't they make more colleges outta lego or something?