World Class Tests in Mathematics and Problem Solving administered by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have found that the highest achievers are those who do well in reasoning and problem solving.
This observation was made based on the results of 3,028 students who took part in the November 2010 World Class Tests for the 8-11 age group and the 12-14 age group.
These include students from 176 primary schools and 91 secondary schools.
Prof Wong Man-Yu of the HKUST Mathematics Department said, "Judging from the performance of Hong Kong students over the years, we have observed that they are in general well trained in finding the right answers, but on the other hand they are relatively weak in explaining their reasoning process. We found that the candidates who do well in explaining the reasoning process also do well in both the Mathematics and Problem Solving."
Prof Edmund Chiang of the same department said "This once again shows that the ability to clearly describe the steps of reasoning is of critical importance to the students' ability to learn."
The World Class Tests
Since the launch of the World Class Tests in 2001 by the British Government's Department for Education and Skills for assessing and nurturing gifted youngsters, the Tests have become an international benchmark for Mathematics and Problem Solving. The questions in the tests are designed by professors of renowned universities in the UK, USA and Australia.
The Tests were first introduced in Hong Kong in 2004, and since then, about 35,000 students from about 400 primary and secondary schools have taken the Tests. In 2008 HKUST was commissioned to promote and administer the Tests in the Asian region.
World Class Tests are organized throughout the world in April and November each year, and the results announced today are of the November 2010 tests conducted at various school test sites in Hong Kong.
More information about the World Class Tests is available through the following link: http://www.worldclassarena.hk.
Appendix 1
Most Outstanding Group Performance in Mathematics (Aged 12-14)
St. Paul's Co-Educational College
Ying Wa College
Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School
Most Outstanding Group Performance in Problem Solving (Aged 12-14)
St. Paul's Co-Educational College
Diocesan Boys’ School
Ying Wa College
Most Outstanding Group Performance in Mathematics (Aged 8-11)
St. Francis Of Assisi's English Primary School
S.K.H. Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School
Bishop Walsh Primary School
Most Outstanding Group Performance in Problem Solving (Aged 8-11)
St. Francis Of Assisi's English Primary School
S.K.H. Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School
Bishop Walsh Primary School
Appendix 2
Most Outstanding Candidate in Mathematics (Aged 12-14)
WONG Gabriel Chun Hei Secondary 1 Level La Salle College SO Ho Chun Justin Secondary 2 Level Munsang College (Hong Kong Island) KWAN Chak Yin Secondary 3 Level Heep Yunn SchoolMost Outstanding Challenger in Mathematics (Aged 12-14)
YU Hoi Wai 6B La Salle Primary SchoolMost Outstanding Candidate in Problem Solving (Aged 12-14)
LEUNG Yu Ching Justin Secondary 1 Level St. Paul's Co-Educational College WOO Tsz Yu Isabella Secondary 2 Level Diocesan Girls' School CHEUNG Nelson Secondary 3 Level Creative Secondary SchoolMost Outstanding Challenger in Problem Solving (Aged 12-14)
JON Sze Pok 4P Diocesan Boys' School Primary DivisionMost Outstanding Candidate in Mathematics (Aged 8-11)
BOW Tsz Hin Primary 3 Level Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Primary School WU Hoi Kwong Primary 4 Level Lam Tin Methodist Primary School LUI Chin Hei Primary 5 Level Christian Alliance H.C. Chan Primary School CHUNG Wang Ngai Primary 6 Level S.K.H. St. Peter's Primary School (A.M.)Most Outstanding Candidate in Problem Solving (Aged 8-11)
HU Benedict Justin Primary 3 Level Australian International School Hong Kong LAU Wan Ngo Primary 4 Level St. Joseph's Primary School LUI Chin Hei Primary 5 Level Christian Alliance H.C. Chan Primary School LUI Siu Hin Alvin Primary 6 Level Munsang College (Primary Section)Youngest Outstanding Candidate (Aged 12-14 Test)
CHIU Long Hin Vincent Primary 4 Level Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary SchoolYoungest Outstanding Candidate (Aged 8-11 Test)
WONG Tsz Chun Primary 3 Level The Independent Schools Foundation Academy
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact : Ross Lai Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928 Email: rosslai@ust.hk
