This essay describes the various problems China faces on account of its exam-centric education system and pedagogy. Along with interviews and focus groups, this study draws on survey responses from 43 Chinese high school students enrolled in the Yunnan Province's No. 10 school. Moreover, this essay explores the policy arguments and key assumptions underlying this pedagogical approach as well as the negative influences exam-oriented education systems have on Chinese students, who view education as nothing more than merely passing examinations. This particular approach, at its worst, can stifle a student's imagination, creativity, and sense of self, qualities crucial for a child's ultimate success in and out of the classroom. The study suggests moderate pressure to excel in school, when paired with deemphasizing high-stakes testing, better motivates students and improves student success and psychological health, both in terms of academic success and also a productive adulthood.

During the drafting of the original article (Kirkpatrick and Zang 2011), neither author noticed that a citation was incorrect, with only part of the citation given in quotation marks, and the remainder appearing as if it were paraphrased. The original, incorrect, citation: (Kirkpatrick and Zang 2011), p.39. By the time a student reaches the age of 15, he or she has spent four or five hours a day, for over the course of nine years learning to write a minimum of 3,000 characters. Stephen Wong (2009) wrote in the Asia Times, "It's possible that no other country has as many exams as China." From school admissions and job recruitment to promotion in the civil service, exams are an inseparable part of Chinese life. Studies suggest there are currently existing 200 governmentorganized nationwide examinations and nearly 40 million people appear for them each year, perhaps more, if local-level tests are included in the list. Correction From age 6 to 15 students have to master around 3000 logograms (hanzi, Chinese characters), a formidable task. Stephen Wong (2009) wrote in the Asia Times, "It's possible that no other country has as many exams as China. From school admissions and job recruitment to promotion in the civil service, exams are an inseparable part of Chinese life". Studies suggest there are currently "200 governmentorganized nationwide examinations, and nearly 40 million people" appear for them each year, perhaps more, "if local-level tests are included on the list"(Wong, 2009). Further, on the reference page the author, year and URL were correct, but the month and title of the article were incorrect. (Kirkpatrick and Zang 2011), p.44. Original reference: Wong, S. (2009), November 25. In China, an easy route to academic glory. Asia Times. Correction: Wong, S. (2009), August 22. No stopping China's cheaters. Asia Times.