Mathematics A Exam in Taiwan's 2026 Subject Proficiency Test: Slightly Lower Benchmarks Due to Increased Calculation and Challenging Proof Questions

(CNA reporter Chen Chih-chung, Taipei, July 13) The Mathematics A exam of the 2026 Subject Proficiency Test (for Taiwan's university admissions) was assessed by tutoring teams as having a difficulty level similar to last year's, though with slightly heavier computational demands. The final proof-based question was particularly challenging to articulate, leading to predictions of a 0 to 1-point decrease in the five performance benchmarks (top, upper, average, lower, and bottom standards). Topics from the third year of high school accounted for over half of the exam, a trend future test-takers should note.

Today, De Sheng Education invited tutoring instructors to analyze the Mathematics A exam. Instructor Hsieh Chuang-chih noted the questions were stable and well-balanced, with a familiar distribution of topics. The first question in each major section was relatively easy, while the final questions (15 to 17) were proof-based, testing students' ability to express mathematical reasoning in writing—making them difficult to score well on. Fortunately, their placement at the end prevents examinees from getting stuck early.

Tutoring teacher Hsieh Han-ching stated that questions 15 to 17 offered limited guidance and required a certain level of 'mathematical intuition'—specifically, recognizing that three planes intersecting pairwise at 60 degrees could simplify the solution. They predicted the five benchmarks (top, upper, average, lower, bottom) to be 45, 38, 27, 15, and 10 points respectively, slightly lower than the 2025 results (46, 39, 27, 16, 11).

The National Teachers' Association (NTA) problem-solving team observed that this year's exam difficulty was similar to last year's, with well-designed mixed-format questions. Questions 12 to 14 assessed polynomial functions and calculus concepts, involving extensive use of mathematical symbols requiring precise understanding of notation and functional relationships. Questions 15 to 17 tested spatial vectors, plane equations, and geometric proofs, demanding integration of concepts, spatial visualization, and logical reasoning.

The National Senior High School Education Industry Union (NSHEIU) analysis team noted that the exam overall had clear wording and moderate reading load. However, multiple-choice and mixed-format questions increased demands for conceptual integration and argumentation, slightly raising the difficulty compared to last year. This may affect mid-tier students' performance, leading to a slight drop in the average benchmark. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150713

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