Article URL: UDN Education Feature | High School Admissions Expert

A Direct Confrontation with the Admissions Path — Strategies for the New Curriculum Revealed

With junior-high CAP exam results announced, incoming high school freshmen — in addition to preparing for their new school life — are advised to learn about high school admissions information early and accelerate their adjustment to high school learning. Many parents, once their child reaches high school, find themselves confused by today's diverse admissions pathways. Teacher Chen Li, with more than 40 years of tutoring experience, recommends using cram school trial lessons and parent information sessions to plan the path to a top university well in advance!

In Taiwan's urban areas, high school students attending cram school is the norm; the proportion is even higher among students enrolled in popular university programs such as medicine and electrical engineering. Why is the proportion so high? Tutoring authority Chen Li analyzes that every year, starting from the moment CAP exam score sheets arrive, most students choose to attend cram school on their own. These students typically possess a proactive drive: they understand where they left off — strengths and weaknesses alike — from junior high and use cram school to achieve efficient, measurable learning outcomes.

It is precisely because they understand their own position within the formal education system that they attend cram school for their weakest subjects to break through barriers, and also for their strongest subjects to stay on track and avoid losing points.

Many people wonder: having just been accepted to high school, how can a student possibly know which academic cluster to choose, or which subject to start with at cram school? Teacher Chen Li, having worked with students for more than 40 years, finds that most students entering high school already have some goals and sense of direction for the future. Cram school is like a GPS navigation system: it helps students move toward their goals correctly and quickly.

As for which subject to study at this stage, Teacher Chen Li recommends that math cannot be skipped! Math is arguably the subject with the highest return on investment. Most students, through courses designed by cram schools, master the logic of mathematical thinking and develop the ability to tackle any problem that comes their way.

With so many cram schools around, how should an incoming high school freshman choose?

Every student has a different ideal cram school and ideal teaching style. Teacher Chen Li believes that attending a trial lesson is the most important step. "I hope students come for a consultation first. The cram school can help clarify each student's needs — once we understand their vision and goals, we can map out a strategy!"

Faced with advertisements that all sound attractive, Teacher Chen Li also reminds students that a cram school's reputation matters greatly. There are several key selection criteria:

Criterion 1: Scale and Philosophy

Examine whether the cram school has a sufficient number of full-time staff to provide guidance and support, and whether its teaching resources are nationally competitive. The school's founding philosophy and recent development can give insight into its operating principles. These factors, combined with the cumulative number of students taught, form the bedrock of teaching quality and curriculum research and development.

Criterion 2: Teaching Staff

The teaching team is solid proof of instructional experience. A consultation and trial lesson let you judge whether the teachers are a good fit for you personally — whether courses have sufficient depth, content, and long-term planning. Teacher professionalism is also crucial; parents can put their minds at ease by checking whether the cram school is registered and verifying the academic and professional background of the instructors through the "Municipal and County Short-Term Cram School Information Management System," https://bsb.kh.edu.tw/.

Criterion 3: Classroom Environment

Take a real look at the classroom setting. The spatial design, hardware and software facilities, public safety and fire-safety compliance, and adherence to regulations are all essential conditions that allow students to focus without distraction during the learning process.

Many cram schools display honor rolls, but the authenticity of those rolls and how current they are must hold up to scrutiny. The nation's largest junior-and-senior-high-school cram school group, ChenLi Education, publishes only a single year's roll at a time. Students should ask around for word-of-mouth feedback, attend multiple trial lessons to get a real feel for the instruction, and choose a truly exceptional educator who will support their entire academic journey and help them reach their goals efficiently.