Is Gaokao world's toughest exam? 10 questions from China's school test

Gaokao is a prerequisite for entrance to almost all higher education institutions at the undergraduate level in China

Every year in the beginning of June, millions of students take the Gaokao, China’s National College Entrance Examination. This year, more than 10 million students took the exam across China, reports CNBC.

What is Gaokao?

Gaokao is a prerequisite for entrance to almost all higher education institutions at the undergraduate level in China. It is usually taken by students in their last year of senior high school. However, there has been no age restriction since 2001. The exams last about nine hours and are held over a period of two days, depending on the province. Chinese and mathematics are included in all tests. An English test was formerly required of all students, but now Japanese, Russian or French may be taken instead.

Why the Gaokao examination day is marked as a national holiday

Gaokao is termed as a national event on a par with a public holiday. However, people don’t have fun on the two days, as the future of their children depends on their performance in Gaokao. During the examination, construction work is halted near examination halls, so as not to disturb the students, and traffic is diverted. Ambulances are present outside the examination halls in case of nervous collapses, and police cars patrol to keep the streets quiet, according to the Guardian.

Here are 10 questions asked in Gaokao:

1. How would Thomas Edison react to the mobile phone?

2. The subtle philosophy of the round and square: The containers for milk are always square boxes; containers for mineral water are always round bottles; round wine bottles are usually placed in square boxes. Write a composition on the subtle philosophy of the round and square.

3. Write a poem on circle.

4. After a girl failed to dissuade her father from making phone calls while driving on a highway, she called the police. The police came and educated her father.

Read More → Gaokao Exam

Article Source : BS

 

Upcoming bank and government exams in 2017

The candidate should be careful while filling out the application

More than 1.5 crores candidates took up the bank exams of IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) in the last three years and vacancies in the Indian banks equaling 68000 were occupied.

When it comes to making a career choice that promises security and financial stability, bank jobs in India have always been roped in first. Public sector banks are getting a tough competition from private banks. As a result, they are reaching out to rural and semi-urban areas. Despite the rise of Information Technology, millions of people still prefer bank jobs and apply for various positions in public sector banks.

Here’s the list of upcoming bank exams and jobs in 2017. It also features other government exams.

Listed are the important details regarding the bank exams and jobs for the year 2017-18: Read More

PF norms eased: Withdrawal allowed for housing, medical, education and marriage of children

Under fire from trade unions, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to change the new rules that restrict employees from withdrawing their entire provident fund (PF) balance till the age of 58.

The EPFO has brought in norms that exclude subscribers falling in certain categories. According to amended norms, a subscriber can withdraw his or her entire savings for housing purpose, treatment of himself/herself or family members suffering from TB (tuberculosis), leprosy, paralysis, cancer or undergoing heart operation, marriage of children as well as professional education (medical, engineering, dental) of children.

Further, the rules have been relaxed for a member who joins an establishment under the control of the central or state governments and becomes a member of old-age pension schemes framed by the central or state governments. The fresh amendment will come into effect from August 1.

According to a February notification, EPFO subscribers can withdraw the employer's contribution of PF Withdrawal deposit only after attaining 58 years of age.

Under new EPFO norms, the employer's share will continue to earn interest as the body had recently approved a plan to credit interest to accounts which have no deposits for three consecutive years. According to EPFO norms, 12 per cent of an employee's salary goes as contribution to the fund, along with a matching contribution from the employer.