A high school student prepares for an exam. Photo:CFP

Beijing Municipal Commission of Education issued a reform proposal on October 21 targeting the marking of the national college entrance examinations. Concerns have arisen over its possible impact.

According to the Beijing education commission, one highlight of the new initiative is to downgrade the contribution of the English test from 150 to 100 while upgrading the role of the Chinese test to 180 from the original 150. Noticeably, corresponding changes also appear in senior high school entrance exams.

Although it is still collecting public feedback, the commission's proposals have sparked disputes over its possible impact on students.

To assess the possibilities, Metropolitan interviewed authorities from two leading education groups with divergent opinions of the mooted reform.

Zhao Peng, president of the Oxbridge International Education Group (OIEG)

About English study:

This reform has positive and negative sides. The good thing is that they have saved students time spent on English as a result of the downgrading of English test scores. It also offers more time for Chinese study and therefore apparently boosts Chinese language skills among students.

Given that actual, practical English has been insufficiently stressed at English class in school, schools should have good teachers and classes instead of simply changing the grade for the English test. Opposing English study and reducing time in class is regression.

About study abroad:

I don't think changing this policy will affect the trend of studying abroad. Only a tiny minority of students might decide not to study abroad after realizing they can enter domestic universities with the new downgraded college English mark.

Despite the reduction on English test grades, I think universities like Peking University will not reduce their English requirements since these students need to go to overseas universities and study.

About 60-70 percent of graduates from universities such as Peking University go abroad for further study.

Zhang Yang, general manager of the business division of overseas study at EIC Group

About English study:

Downgrading English in middle-school and college-entrance exams will not depreciate the importance of English study.

From the long-term perspective, the English test has been extremely hard, and is frequently a burden on Chinese students. Consequently people cannot communicate in English the way they should.

But after this reform, I trust that actual practical English will be put on the agenda. For instance, listening, basic knowledge and skills will have improved. This reform is of English study and test standards, so I think its purpose is positive. This reform will also alleviate pressure on students studying English, which might be a good thing for those who were underappreciated due to their poor English test results. In addition, because this reform makes English more practical, Chinese students may even benefit from it.

About study abroad:

For those who have an edge at English, this reform may reduce their competitiveness at college exams and consequently affect their choice of university at home or abroad.

Studying abroad is a systematic plan for a student. The factors that influence Chinese studying overseas include the college exam, the rising wealth of Chinese people and the employment rate.