BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education has ordered a reduction in the frequency of routine exams and tests for primary and secondary schools to alleviate the academic burden on students.

A recent ministry circular states that written exams will not be conducted for first and second graders in primary schools. For other years of compulsory education, schools may organize one final exam per semester.

For junior high school students, one midterm exam may be arranged based on the practical needs of different subjects, according to the circular.

It also notes that examination papers should align strictly with national curriculum standards and actual teaching practices, with scientifically optimized question types and difficulty levels. ■