Exam questions remain

THE LATEST REFORM TO THE GAOKAO, OR NATIONAL college entrance examinations, will be the biggest-ever change to the way students are enrolled by universities since 1978. Under the reform, the final scores of three courses students take during their high school years will be used in the appraisals of candidates for college enrollment.

The measure is to be implemented on a trial basis in Shanghai and East China's Zhejiang province for two years before being rolled out nationwide in 2017. Apart from Chinese, math and English that will remain in the national exam, students will be able to choose three out of six designated courses to be used in their high school appraisals.

Will the move strike a balance between fairness and the efficient selection of desirable candidates?