Exams for Chinese literature will for the first time be graded online at this year's college entrance examination, according to the Shanghai Education Examination Authority.

All local high school graduates' exam papers will go through the online system, which was tested in limited numbers last June.

But the new practice is not ready for other subjects including math, English, physics, chemistry, history, politics, biology and geography, officials said.

"The new system proved to be more effective and efficient last year," said Shen Benliang, deputy director with the authority. "That prompted us to expand it this year."

With the new practice, all answers will be scanned and transmitted into the authority's online evaluation system.

Answers to objective questions, such as multiple choices, will automatically be corrected by this evaluation system.

For subjective questions including discussion and composition, two teachers will read through the answers independently and enter marks in the computer system, officials said.

"This can avoid possible mistakes in recording grades," Shen said.

Previously, marks were usually indicated on exam papers before getting typed into computers.

Nearly 100 students were given incorrect grades each year. No one false grade was recorded using the online evaluation last year, officials said.

The new practice could also prevent marks given by the first instructor to influence the next. Shen said it would be fairer for students.

Students, however, said the new practice has no direct impact.

"It means nothing for me," said Ge Liumin, a local student who is to sit the exam this June. "I'm still answering questions in the same way as before."

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2004)