Elitism

WHEN THE HELL DID THE PASSING MARK IN CHINA BECOME 50%??

Okay, so apparently the passing grade for tests and projects in Chinese schools is 50%...same standard as it is set here in Canada, and perhaps the rest of the world?
This is news to me. I've always been under the impression that a mark below 95/100 was an epic fail. Anything below 98% was a shameful act of incompetence, and 95% below meant I had to redo my test/project/homework. I even remember once I was instructed to remain standing in front of the class along with everyone else who got below 95% on a test, and commence crying with our heads hung low. I can't cry on command..I'm not Gong Li!
I went to a privileged school, but what the hell?!
So this means, I was repeatedly beaten for a mark that most of my friends would have been praised for? SON OF A BITCH! Those were some goddamn hard beatings! The number of times I was made to redo my workload in grade two...the amount of playtime I missed out on. I should be proud, well I am proud..but can't help feel a little outraged!
I was happy when I got both 100% on Literacy and Math in the first grade, but I thought my only accomplishment was doing what I was told. So I was surprised when I got a Super-Nintendo and Sega Genesis out of it, now it makes more sense.


I wonder if I'd be alive today if I gotten a 50% on anything back then.....