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: https://www.worldclasstests.hk/en.
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 School
Most Outstanding Challenger in Mathematics (Aged 12-14)
YU Hoi Wai
6B
La Salle Primary School
Most 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 School
Most Outstanding Challenger in Problem Solving (Aged 12-14)
JON Sze Pok
4P
Diocesan Boys' School Primary Division
Most 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 School
Youngest 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
