Yes, I did Physics, Geometry infront of the committee to explain my answer. Language course was written under a dictation, one mistake would cost you a point out of 5. So you had to be flawless on everything, spelling, punctuation, structure, etc. I aced my physics and language, but got a C (3) in geometry, I fumbled on one question.
replySame. The focus on written exams rated blindly and uniformly at the US higher education system always puzzled me. I guess that's the only way to scale things up when you pay professors and teachers living wages?
replyThe blind aspect (I would assume) is meant to cut down on favoritism and discrimination. With the US I understand how that would come about.
replyWhether it succeeds in that goal is a separate topic.
It does indeed sound great except that everyone was corrupt to the bone
replythe STEM academic world in the Soviet Union was extremely meritocratic. largely shielded from outside influence and maybe the best talent pipeline anyone has ever invented to produce scientific expertise. Exception being biology as Lysenkoism at some point infected the field.
replyCorruption affected history or economics because it was ideologically relevant to authorities but math and physics proceeded on its own.