RSC Blog

Put down that Sudoku and try a real challenge from the East. We’ve managed to get hold of and translate two entrance exams, in chemistry and maths, for Beijing City Senior High Schools, and we’d like you to give them a try.

These exams are for all students wishing to enter the high school. I must admit the translation isn’t perfect, but the aim of each question is clear. And quite revealing.

As reported by The Daily Telegraph this morning (story here), Dr Richard Pike, RSC’s chief executive, said: “In Britain most of the questions with some sort of mathematics or problem solving are very straight forward. With the Chinese ones you’ve got to think a little bit further, you can’t just stick down the answer.”

While a similar gradation of questions – from an easy start to difficult finish – can be seen in the new GCSEs, the curve is much steeper for the Chinese exams. Many of the longer answers require much critical thinking and problem-solving skill; compare this with the hand-holding a student gets in GCSE exam questions and you’ll see clearly the different levels of understanding required.

At the same time there are many topically-relevant questions, such as questions about the 2008 Olympics (although these are often quite heavily politicised.)

So why not have a look yourselves? Here are download links to the papers:

Download the chemistry paper here

Download the maths paper here

We’ll post the answers next week. If you have any opinions please do leave your thoughts in the comments below. If you can’t see the comments box, click here.

Last week an epic mission of sharing chemistry knowledge began at the University of Leeds – and will finish six weeks and 7000km later in Nairobi, Kenya.

Three thousand textbooks from the university library were shipped out and will be distributed through the RSC’s Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN).

The Head of the School of Chemistry, Professor Philip Kocienski, came down to lend a hand loading the huge haul of books into boxes and onto the van.

Prime Logistics International of Baildon, Shipley, are undertaking the massive journey to deliver the books to the chemistry department at the University of Nairobi, the African central hub of the PACN. From there they can be distributed to other learning centres that need them.

As the library undergoes redevelopment, it’s seen as an opportunity to support the growth of chemistry in Africa by providing these high-quality teaching aids such as textbooks.

The RSC’s Pan Africa Chemistry Network allows students, teachers and academics across Africa to access a wide range of support, including online science resources, networking opportunities and teaching materials.

At long last, someone in Government is taking talk of falling science exam standards seriously. At an Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) press conference on Thursday, Lord Drayson – the UK Science Minister – reportedly said ‘No dumbing down on my watch. We need to make sure that we provide the stretch for the brightest and best” in a reference to a question about recent media coverage of standards not being what they were. A BBC news report of his remarks can be found here.

So the RSC’s petition and Five-Decade Challenge report have made an impact at the highest level. We’ve managed to start the debate about what we assess in exams and what is needed for the UK to remain internationally competitive. (more…)

Hello, I’m Richard Pike, chief executive of the RSC. I’ve decided that my inaugural blog post will explain our campaign to reverse the appalling decline in school science exam standards.

I’m very concerned about the disappearance of problem-solving, critical thinking and mathematical manipulation from school science examinations, and am campaigning to raise awareness of, and ultimately reverse, this unacceptable trend. (more…)

We’ve turned our attention to the examination standards in schools this week. Richard Pike, CEO of the RSC, was interviewed on the Today programme on Radio 4 – the BBC’s flagship agenda-setting news radio programme this morning about the 5-Decade Exam Challenge report that we have published, and our Downing Street web site petition. Currently we’re adding one name a minute.

Much of the UK media has taken interest – see today’s BBC News Online, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Daily Mail and Times. (more…)