Chapter One Hundred and Ten

Surrounded by this group of sages, each holding pen and paper with a humble, inquisitive expression, Yu Qian felt quite pressured.

“Nowadays, in the mortal realm, exams are divided into different levels. The most important ones are the entrance to middle school, the high school entrance exam, and the college entrance exam,” Yu Qian began after gathering her thoughts.

“That’s equivalent to our provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams,” Su Dongpo responded quickly.

“Yes, more or less,” Yu Qian affirmed his comparison. “But there are differences. After your palace exams, there aren’t many more tests, but after our college entrance exams, students still attend university. And if they want to continue studying, they have to take exams for graduate school, doctoral programs, and postdoctoral research.”

Hearing that one has to keep studying after the college entrance exam, these folks who had experienced the traditional imperial examinations were shocked. Are students nowadays really so burdened?

“Apart from these major exams, every school holds tests each semester. For example, in my elementary school, there were usually midterm and final exams—twice every semester, four times a year. From elementary to middle school, using my own school as an example, students take an initial placement test upon entry, then monthly exams, midterms, and finals. After the high school entrance exam, there are even more tests: monthly exams, midterms, finals, and frequent quizzes in each subject. Senior year students in China spend the entire year immersed in exams.”

Yu Qian paused to take a sip of water and looked up to see their faces still full of astonishment.

“What’s with those expressions?”

“So many exams, isn’t that exhausting?”

“Not really. It’s not like your one-subject days where you study a single discipline all day. We study many subjects, but the time is well divided, so it doesn’t feel tedious. Of course, for those who dislike studying, it can be very tiring.”

“What subjects do you study?”

“Before university, we study nine subjects. Once we enter university, we choose one field to specialize in.”

“????”

“Wait, I just realized—how come we only studied one subject? Poetry, lyrics, calligraphy, music, chess, painting, and so forth—that’s eight subjects!”

Yu Qian hesitated briefly before answering, “For us, poetry, lyrics, and calligraphy count as one subject—Chinese language. Music, chess, and painting fall under hobbies. Those interested seek specialized teachers; those who aren’t, simply don’t learn them.”

Now they were completely baffled. The disciplines they had studied their whole lives only counted as one subject in modern terms?

“The other eight subjects are math, English, sciences, and humanities. Sciences include physics, chemistry, and biology; humanities include history, politics, and geography.”

Taking another sip of water, she continued, “I almost forgot to mention—high school divides students by streams. There’s a distinction between humanities and sciences. Though you still study nine subjects, the focus differs.”

She stopped, watching their expressions.

The group exchanged glances, all feeling they had overthought things.

They wanted to use the knowledge the little girl had learned to challenge these lively kids, but even they themselves didn’t quite know how to teach others.

“If you want to learn, you can ask Xiuxiu to help find several sets of textbooks and exam papers from elementary through high school,” Yu Qian suggested with a light smile, propping up her chin.

“Textbooks and papers aren't the problem. The problem is, we don’t understand them…” Although admitting ignorance to their own students was somewhat embarrassing, their upbringing forbade them from feigning knowledge and misleading others.

Seeing their awkwardness, Yu Qian held back a laugh and said, “Elementary knowledge is quite simple. Given your intelligence, you’ll understand it by just looking at it. The hardest part for you might be English. I’ll try to find some tapes and videos so you can learn along with them.”

They looked at each other, then stepped aside to quietly discuss. They found her plan feasible. After all, they needed to understand it themselves to teach their students better.

They pushed Su Dongpo forward to talk with Yu Qian.

“Qianqian, I think your idea is excellent. Let’s do it your way.”

“Great!”

“Remember to record your lessons.”

“Will do!”

“Try to get us some copies of your exam papers, too.”

“Consider it done!”

Su Dongpo thought it over; that seemed to cover everything, and the rest would come once they all understood the material.

“That’s it for now. If we think of anything else, we’ll let you know.”

Nodding, Yu Qian left the small secluded realm to find Wen Xiu and arrange everything.