Part 9/12:
Since 2021, the introduction of the achievement levels scoring system aimed at reducing the competitive intensity. Instead of detailed percentile rankings, students now receive a score between 4 and 32, alongside achievement levels. While this change is intended to lessen pressure, many parents still feel anxious, particularly when small score differences can determine entry into top secondary schools.
Parents express awareness that the new system, while more simplified, still fuels anxiety—especially among those whose children might just crack the threshold for preferred schools. The commentary highlights that most parents acknowledge that grades matter for future opportunities, yet there’s a shared aspiration that exams could be less stressful.