Chapter 29: These Are Our Students from No. 4 Middle School!

Reconstructing test papers might seem like a simple task. Yet, it requires a formidable memory to accomplish. In truth, neither Xu You nor Hu Shucheng could remember every detail of the test paper. However, combined, they could nearly cover the entire paper. After successfully recalling all eight key conditions of the questions, the two of them, while eating burgers, went through the process of solving the questions again.

Compared to Hu Shucheng, Xu You wasn't particularly interested in knowing his estimated score. Beyond estimating scores, the work of reconstructing the solution process was very beneficial for reinforcing knowledge. Reorganizing the solution process helped to better understand the thoughts of the teachers who set the questions and to optimize their own problem-solving strategies, allowing them to study this type of problem more thoroughly.

Since the problems were freshly done and they were only checking answers, there was no need for them to write down the process in too standardized a form. Within an hour, both had reconstructed the solution process. Xu You and Hu Shucheng exchanged their solutions and began to correct each other.

"Hmm, we got almost exactly the same for this question."

"Huh? This method works too? Indeed, no problem!"

"Did you calculate this number wrong?"

...

After a vigorous discussion, they finally estimated their scores. "Ignoring a few contentious points, both of us should theoretically score over 260," said Hu Shucheng. His estimate was actually quite conservative. 260 was just the score they were confident in achieving; scoring an additional 10 to 20 points was very possible.

"Can this score get us into the provincial team?" Xu You, participating in the competition for the first time, was not very familiar with the scoring thresholds.

"Ha, Xu You, you're really funny. Theoretically, scoring over 180 in theory and performing normally in the experiment should securely place us in the provincial team. With our scores, making it to the provincial team shouldn't be a problem. Of course, there's still a selection exam for the provincial team, so we can't be too careless."

Historically, scoring 165+ in theory was enough to qualify for the experimental exam. Most of those qualified for the experimental exam would receive a first-place provincial award.

"Oh, sorry, it's my first competition, so I don't have much experience. What's considered a high score in theory, then? Has anyone ever gotten a perfect score?"

"A perfect score? You're joking! Typically, the highest theory score in each province is around 280+, with scores above 300 being almost unheard of."

"Ah, I see."

Xu You scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Of course, even if you did score a perfect score, every teacher would scrutinize your paper with a magnifying glass looking for mistakes, only to deduct a few points in the end. So, unless your answers are flawless, it's impossible to score a perfect score."

Xu You thought it made sense; if competition questions could be answered in a way that left the markers without any nitpicks, it would be a slight to the question setters. However, Xu You felt that if he were to engage in deep learning mode to answer this set of questions, he might just manage to leave the teachers with no faults to find.

After the theoretical exam, Gaoshang also checked in via WeChat to see how everyone did. Hearing that Xu You and Hu Shucheng estimated scores over 260, he was thrilled, possibly bringing two provincial team members from this batch. Throughout the province, this was an impressive achievement.

After finishing with the questions, Xu You and Hu Shucheng didn't rest. Knowing they would definitely make it to the experimental round, they returned to No. 4 Middle School's physics laboratory to fine-tune their experimental skills before the exam.

Two days later, the scores for the theoretical round of the rematch were released. Gaoshang, upon receiving the score report, couldn't stop smiling. "298! This is a student from our No. 4 Middle School!" He never expected one of his students to score the highest in the province in the physics competition's theoretical exam. Such a score was nationally significant.

"282! Third place! You're pretty awesome too!" Seeing that the third place was also from No. 4 Middle School, Gaoshang couldn't contain his excitement, pounding the table loudly. "Didn't they look down on our No. 4 Middle School? We took two of the top three places in theory! And we're not weak in experiments either!"

Recalling his experiences over the years, Gaoshang felt somewhat emotional. Why did he leave a job at a prestigious school to come to No. 4 Middle School? Was it for a higher salary? Not entirely... As a competition coach, Gaoshang naturally wanted to produce results. Bringing Hu Shucheng to the provincial team last

 year might have been luck, but producing two this year proved his capability.

After learning the results, Gaoshang quickly notified and gathered the team members again. "The theoretical scores for the rematch are out. Overall, everyone did well, and many have a chance to win a provincial award. Especially Xu You and Hu Shucheng, who have both passed the experimental cutoff."

Passing the theoretical cutoff meant a high chance of receiving a first-place provincial award. Hearing this, the team members envied Xu You and Hu Shucheng and applauded them. Xu You and Hu Shucheng, however, didn't think much of it. Their goal was to make it to the provincial team and compete in the CPhO.

"Of course, their achievements aren't just about passing the experimental cutoff." Realizing there might be more to it, everyone understood that their placements were likely quite high. With no more than a hundred people passing the experimental cutoff province-wide, having two from No. 4 Middle School was already an achievement. But Gaoshang's earlier expression suggested even more impressive ranks.

"Now, everyone's curious about who ranked first between Xu You and Hu Shucheng." "The score report is here, come and take a look." Gaoshang teased, not rushing to reveal the ranks. Everyone crowded around the podium to view the score report, which listed the names, scores, and schools of those who made the experimental cutoff.

[First place, Xu You, 298 points, No. 4 Middle School in Shengcheng] [Second place, Huang Qingzhong, 285 points, Shengcheng Experimental Middle School] [Third place, Hu Shucheng, 282 points, No. 4 Middle School in Shengcheng] ... "298 points... Is that even possible?" "Xu God is amazing! Almost breaking 300." "Hu's score would have been the highest in other years."

Seeing their scores and names, Xu You and Hu Shucheng had completely different expressions.

(End of Chapter)