Hong Kong pupils top World Class Tests

If it were the Ashes, national rejoicing would break out – the British have managed to beat the Australians in an international competition.

The brightest pupils from England and the United States have outperformed Australian children in the Government's new World Class Tests in maths and problem-solving. But pupils from Hong Kong ranked top in the first international analysis of the results of new exams for nine and 13-year-olds, which were developed by England's exam watchdog, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

About 4,400 children from the US, England, Australia and Hong Kong sat the tests between November 2001 and July. Analysis of the results showed that 57 per cent had passed, 30 per cent scored a merit, 6 per cent a distinction and 7 per cent failed. There were marked variations in the performance of the different nationalities. The scores for English and American pupils were similar, and better than the Australians, but Hong Kong pupils came top, scoring almost 100 per cent.

A spokesman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority pointed out that only a small sample of Hong Kong pupils had taken the tests and the children's success may have reflected their teachers' success at selecting candidates for the exams.

He added: "In time we are hoping results from different countries will help us identify national traits. For instance, what types of problems different countries are good at, the strategies employed by children in solving problems and any links between these strategies, teaching and learning."

Ten countries have signed up for the next tests.