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Cover of THE HIGHEST EXAM
4.78

Based on 9 Goodreads ratings

THE HIGHEST EXAM

by three scholars presents a history of the exam, told through their personal experiences and framed as a socioeconomic study of Chinese ambition in the 21st century. The gaokao serves as an example of the highly centralized structure of Chinese life. Just as central planning governs much of urban and rural life, so too does the system of learning come from the top. The exam structure reflects not only the highly technocratic foci of Chinese advancement, but also its long\u002Dstanding values. Hard work remains the most important thing. China, however, is no straightforward meritocracy. “It’s not that China’s people are idealists who only believe in the power of an exam to predict intelligence,” the authors write. “Rather, China is a society known for connections and petty corruption—hence, the weakness of its institutions.” Children spend their lives taking exams, and family connections help with tutors and retesting. Teachers are not just paid\u003B they are often personally compensated for a child’s education. The “murky waters of corruption in China” wash over this highly centralized system of advancement. And while success is quantified by score, and while that score stays with the student throughout life, failure is equally branding. This book paints a landscape of vast inequality passing itself off as meritocracy—an exposé of an increasingly powerful global nation and a warning to any society, east or west, that still believes in teaching to the test."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:253
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780674295

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This gripping examination of academic pressure and personal ambition follows a group of elite students competing in a legendary, life-altering test that promises success to only one winner. The narra...

Our Review

This gripping examination of academic pressure and personal ambition follows a group of elite students competing in a legendary, life-altering test that promises success to only one winner. The narrative masterfully captures the cutthroat environment of high-stakes education, where friendships fracture under the weight of competition and every decision carries monumental consequences. Through shifting perspectives, the story explores how each character grapples with their own moral boundaries and desperate motivations in this intellectual battleground. Readers are plunged into a world where knowledge is power, but integrity becomes the ultimate test.

What sets this story apart is its unflinching look at the psychological toll of achievement culture, making it particularly resonant for teens navigating their own academic pressures. The complex character dynamics and escalating tension will appeal to fans of dystopian competitions and contemporary school dramas alike. This thought-provoking exploration of ambition versus ethics leaves readers questioning what they would sacrifice for success, making the emotional impact linger long after the final page. The novel serves as both a thrilling page-turner and a meaningful commentary on modern education's most intense challenges.

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