2007 Master's Entrance English Exam Gaokao Vocabulary Black and White Memory

Author: Wang Changxi, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Survey data shows that among the over a million candidates preparing for postgraduate entrance exams, more than 75% spend over 50% of their time and energy on English course review. Over 50% of candidates withdraw from the competition due to failing the English exam. This "tragic" outcome is astonishing! From junior high school to graduation, English has been studied for a full ten years, yet why can't English exam scores improve? In terms of vocabulary alone, the new syllabus only requires 5,610 words. On average, candidates master less than two words per day over ten years. Why do candidates still complain about not being able to memorize vocabulary? Method determines success. Based on over a decade of experience in postgraduate entrance exam tutoring and research, the Teaching Research Committee of Beiwen School offers the following advice.
1. Let a restless mind "settle" down
The number of admitted postgraduate students is increasing year by year, yet competition has never weakened, as the number of applicants continues to grow at a higher rate. In 2006, the number of online applicants for the postgraduate entrance exam even reached over 1.7 million, though the final registered number was 1.275 million. It is difficult to estimate what the number will be in 2007. Facing such fierce competition, candidates often feel uncertain about their future and unsure of whether they will win or lose. Thus, tension, anxiety, regret, disappointment, frustration, and hatred mix, creating a highly restless mindset that severely affects study efficiency. Candidates develop such emotions mainly because they place too much importance on the postgraduate entrance exam, even viewing it as the ultimate goal of their lives. This is, of course, incorrect. Moreover, urgency does not solve problems; the idea of seeking quick results is harmful to problem-solving. Some candidates have high expectations for tutoring classes, hoping that teachers can give them "magic pills" or "Nine Yin Manual," even revealing exam questions and answers. But this is impossible, so candidates are often disappointed after attending classes. Attending classes is useful, primarily for learning correct study methods and problem-solving approaches from teachers. Excessive listening, however, becomes a waste of time, as there is a lot of work that candidates must do themselves. Sometimes, listening for three hours and spending five or six hours in total is less effective than studying one hour of material diligently. After all, the exam tests your true abilities. Only by calming down, assessing the situation, accurately positioning yourself, identifying your real gaps, can you find the right solution, plan your study schedule, and proceed with focused and organized preparation.
2. A workman must first have his tools
For candidates, "tools" refer to the study materials at hand. Without a doubt, choosing the right study materials is crucial, as poor materials only waste your time. What suits you is best! The materials you choose must meet your needs and address your practical problems. Designing a well-structured book first requires considering who it is intended for. Over the past ten years, based on teaching research and the diverse needs of candidates at different levels, the Beiwen School has meticulously compiled postgraduate entrance exam books to provide students with "effective tools."
3. No need to wake up at dawn or stay up all night—just a little bit every day
"Never wake up at dawn or stay up all night—just a little bit every day" is an important concept in foreign language learning. Language is a skill, and the key to mastering a skill lies in repeated practice. Foreign language learning differs from theoretical research, as it does not require deep exploration but rather familiarity with key points. This means that through extensive repetition, key points must be memorized to a degree. Repetition is the mother of memory. As long as the material you learn is repeatedly exposed to you day after day, even the most "slow" person can memorize what needs to be remembered. Therefore, when reviewing English, excessive time should not be spent on the same key point, but rather the material should be reviewed repeatedly to reinforce memory. Regardless of your foundation, the key is to persist in reviewing every day and not to delay. Some students say, "I don’t review every day; I review three days of material once every three days—is that okay?" This approach greatly reduces effectiveness! In fact, if you do not revisit the material you have studied for a long time, you may forget more than you remember. Method determines success. Make a plan, proceed step by step, and steadily advance your review content to achieve good results.
4. Even a clever woman cannot do without rice
This is an issue that cannot be ignored. Although linguists have various views on language learning, vocabulary quantity remains a hard truth. Even a clever woman cannot do without rice. Without sufficient vocabulary, you will encounter unfamiliar words while reading and struggle to express yourself in writing, no matter how many "skills" you have. Therefore, during the review process, especially in the early stages, vocabulary review must be given high priority to lay a solid foundation for later stages.
5. No entry into the tiger's den without catching the tiger
Many students, teachers, and study guides overemphasize "exam-taking techniques." In reality, learning and exams themselves are about "practice makes perfect," and the most important thing is a solid foundation. Once your actual abilities improve, it doesn’t matter how the questions are formulated. For exam purposes, our view is: practice is the primary way to improve skills. Therefore, candidates must do more exercises. New exam formats primarily focus on reading and writing skills, so candidates must read and write more, constantly practicing to reinforce key points and improve answering techniques.
6. Success is in your heart
Only those who are full of confidence can achieve ultimate success. Some students cannot settle down to study and spend much energy gathering exam information, asking here and there, trying to learn about new exam trends. These students are particularly concerned about exam information because it reflects their lack of confidence. Without confidence, they develop a speculative mindset. In fact, major reforms and changes occur only every few years. The rumors they hear may not be useful at all. Sticking to the established plan and studying diligently, every step forward brings you closer to success.