The Documentary Podcast
The Fifth Floor: Exam nightmares
Sep 14, 2024
Join journalists Wanqing Zhang and Eric Junzhe as they reflect on the pressures and intense preparation surrounding China’s Gaokao exam, revealing unique coping mechanisms like throwing textbooks out the window. Soutik Biswas shares alarming insights into exam scandals in India that threaten students' futures. Meanwhile, Caroline Steel offers fascinating explanations behind recurring exam nightmares, connecting them to lingering stress and anxiety. It's a riveting look at the emotional toll of education across continents.
26:29
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Quick takeaways
- The Gao Kao exam in China exemplifies the extreme pressure on students, shaping not only their academic journeys but also cultural practices surrounding education.
- In India, exam scandals like paper leaks reveal systemic issues that compromise educational integrity and significantly impact students' futures and mental health.
Deep dives
The Intensity of Gao Kao: A Life-Altering Examination
The Gao Kao is a pivotal examination in China that immensely influences a student's future, as it determines university admissions and course selections. Lasting up to nine hours over several days, this exam creates an atmosphere of overwhelming pressure, where students often sacrifice their social lives and personal well-being for success. Personal accounts reveal an intense regime of early mornings, late nights filled with homework, and additional tutoring sessions that dominate their lives. This significant focus on the Gao Kao reflects not only academic rigor but also a societal culture that equates educational achievement with future opportunities.
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