Xintai implements paper-free 'fun exams' for lower grade students

Xintai city, a county-level city in Tai'an, has launched project-based "fun exams" for first and second grade students in an effort to deepen the "double reduction" policy and promote a diverse evaluation system alongside the development of students' core competencies.

Recently, Pingyang Experimental School held a "paperless" test for first and second grade students.

First and second grade students at a school in Xintai, Tai'an, play touhu game in the paper-free "fun exams". [Photo/Tai'an Daily]

In the "intangible cultural heritage journey" section of the test, students first played a game of touhu, also known as pitch-pot, where they threw arrows into pots. The number of successful hits determined the difficulty of the math problems they had to solve, earning different star ratings. After solving the problems, students rolled dice, with each result leading to different mental math challenges.

The "fun exams" emphasize ability over knowledge, aiming to cultivate problem-solving and cooperative thinking among students.

Each school in Xintai designs a variety of questions that align with the cognitive and psychological needs of young students, encouraging them to complete interdisciplinary tasks through hands-on activities.

For example, a school in Guli town conducted an aerospace-themed test, comprehensively assessing students in areas such as language literacy, mathematical thinking, observational skills, hands-on abilities, aesthetic creativity, and teamwork.

"The 'fun exams' are project-based, situational, and interdisciplinary evaluation activities. This initiative not only allows students to experience the joy of learning and the charm of knowledge during the end-of-term challenge activities, but should also be reflected in daily education and teaching," said an official from Xintai education bureau.

First and second grade students at a school in Xintai, Tai'an, have paper-free "fun exams". [Photo/Tai'an Daily]