Random First Lines: I have read many different peices on here, by man people. I want to show them to you, for you to read if you... : Non-Fiction » Read

Welcome Visitor: Login to the siteJoin the site

Are exams actually necessary?

Essay By: gabrielbrum
Non-Fiction


This essay outlines whether exams are really worthwhile or not... Hope you will enjoy and reflect about it. View table of contents...

 

Submitted: Jul 29, 2008    Reads: 399    Comments: 26    Likes: 6   


Many students these days are concerned about the amount of time that it is spent on exam preparation, and all the stress that it is suffered. As a result many educational institutions are adopting progress assessments. Perhaps, another option, however, should be for educational institutions to abolish examinations.

Stress and anxiety is very common in youth nowadays as a consequence of exam preparation and professor´s preassure towards students. All that leads to illnesses and the quality of student´s life decreases. It is well known that large numbers of young people become frustrated when they fail an examination which was probably prepared in a whole year.

Exams also test students´ memory. It is a sad fact that knowledge required to pass the exam is theorical, and sometimes useless. They are tought to think in the wrong way, because we are surrounded by open-ended problems in real life.

However, it is important to point out that the idea of abolishing exams once and for all is not good. Exams are another way of testing intellectual knowledge. Thus, students should have the option in case they want to sit for a subject without assisting regular lessons in the institution.

In conclusion, it would seem that exams have an important benefit. Nevertheless, we have to consider the points raised and educational institutions should select their evaluations in a balanced way between exams, assessments, modules and others. Exams should be held only when needed or when they are asked by students for a special reason. Assessments have to be done when a topic or part of the syllabus is already finished, so that the educator can have a better feedback of the class, and module system is valuable in order to make students study up to a certain part of the course and be able to do the next if they pass the previous one. 


6

Email this story Email this story | Print Story Print Story | Add to reading list

Comments:

Heather
(not registered user)

I think exams are a painful but important part of education. They force students to focus on a particular topic and learn it. In life, we don't have exams, just results but that's why school is so important. An F on an exam is an easier way to learn failure than getting fired or screwing something important up.

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks for your comment. I do agree with your argument of learning failure. But I doubt whether our schools, today, prepare people better for life and for work which is so crucial to a sactisfactory life. The subjects may appear to be a little more relevant, but we are still left to learn about work at work, and about life by living it.

I believe this is somewhat true. I believe that exams are harder than they were when my parents and especially my grandparents were in school! Some of these exams are pointless. I see ya point, but I truly don't believe that ALL exams are necessary. Very good point, though! I enjoyed how u stood against ya topic! Great Job!

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks jfm!

hmm, i prefer exams over assignments,but it is true that they are harder now than they used to be, and thats not becuase you give the wrong answer, its because its not in the wording that they prefer. well i speak for A level exams in the UK. whcih, is so rude! lol. andyway good essay

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

I understand what you mean, sometimes the wording is related to certain way of thinking, and maybe you have the right arguments to say that an especific answer is the right one but they prefer another. You are right, thanks for your comments on the essay.
Gabriel.

i agree with jfm98 and this is really good keep up the good work

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

I´m glad you liked it.

Hey Gabriel :) I have read a lot of theoretical essays and papers over the years, so I would think that I know my stuff. You put up a great argument here and brought the pros and cons very well. The most appealing thing to me, is the flow of this work. It is very fluid. You have a talent, in writing and in debating. Great work. Take care, Regan

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks Regan for your comments.
Gabriel.

That's great!!! I love how you've looked at both sides of the argument, and it's true what you have said, However i would choose assignments over exams any day :) Keep writing xxx

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Allright! thanks

Yes I agree with the concept...and the suggestion is really great. In India, Medical colleges have started the exams just the way u have written...i know that is tough for students but then in the long run, it is beneficial...

I know how difficult it was to appear for our final exams in Medical schools...which one question would determine my fate in such a vast course?? Gosh what a tension...

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

haha. cool. i think i agree with this... :D

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Exams are a real pain, throughout middle school i had them. The ammount of pressure applied to me to prepare for exams, which are all takin in the course of 3 days, is huge. Most of my teachers would not even take the time to go over material with the class to make sure we could get the best grade as possible, a result for me was not being able to get an amazing grade. My exams are over an entire semester, which is time comsuming and alot of work to go over and re-memorize in a way. I have a great memory, i remember little details people usually dont remember, its hard for me. I can't imagine what its like for people with bad memories. If their were quarter exams, it would be alot easier on the student and less stress.

Posted: Jul 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks Carina for sharing your experience.
Gabriel

It is said, that we are the most tested generation since school started a long long time ago.
and now, they are pretty much a big pain and sore in the mind.
But like the teachers always say, 'It's important for your education.'
A wonderful essay by the way!

Posted: Jul 31, 2008

I really do hate exams when they come. all the work and studying and the bubbles to fill in, urgh!!
But it's supposed to be important right??
Heck yeah!
By the way, a wonderful idea!!

Posted: Aug 1, 2008

I'm a student myself and agree that there should be a balance between writing exams and not. In certain subjects like Mathematics I think there is no need for writing an exam because you are tested on you mathematical skills during the semester. However in subjects like Anatomy a high level of theoretical knowledge is required which suggests that an exam is needed to test all your acquired knowledge as a whole and how to apply it. I also think that exams these days are not useless in the sense that they only ask you to write down what you know. It tests your knowledge and how you apply it. A good idea could be to have oral exams where your knowledge and how you apply and understand it is tested via a two-way conversation.

Posted: Aug 2, 2008

Author Comment:

Right! But the essay suggests assessments in order to TEST knowledge, thus, all the drawbacks of exams stated in the essay are avoided. Thanks for commenting.

WOW. What you wrote is so truthful. I hate having to stress over exams. Good work! Keep writing and keep me updated please! =)

Posted: Aug 2, 2008

i loved what you wrote...thanks for putting both sides of opinion. I believe exams are very hard and very stressful but as a student you have to learn to prepare yourself and I think they are an important part of school...thanks so much and keep writing :) -zia

Posted: Aug 2, 2008

Balanced and very well written essay. I love exams personally, i even wait for them but other methods of evaluation can do more justice to students overall.

All students are not alike, they can't be classified as merely intelligent or dull, each learner has a different talent compared to others and exam system doesn't suit all.

You have raised an important issue... Keep going

Posted: Aug 3, 2008

Author Comment:

That´s true. Thanks.

Perhaps we feel that exams are pointless because of the questions asked (duh).
The question should be testing the understanding behind the knowledge. Anybody can parrot of an entire page, ask them to explain and perhaps we get into the deep end. Exams arent entirely useless, perhaps if they were id b skippin them, but it does make one remeber things you would rather forget ie log.
Kudos on the essay
Nova

Posted: Aug 3, 2008

I dont really like exams all too much. I get so stressed over them and go with out sleeping and eating for days before the exam just cause I'm nervous that I'll fail. I agree that there should be certain times to take exams and not just throw them at students whenever they feel like it.
Certain tests that I've taken in the past are theoritical questions or questions that are asking for an oppinion and if you dont check the write answer for the question you miss the question. .... Alot of tests are just retarded, but alot of them are also essencial.

I seriously hate exams and finals

Posted: Aug 5, 2008

Hi!

I can definitely relate to stressing out on an exam. Although there are several ideas people have used to lessen the anxiety such as, squeezing the daylights out of a rubber ball, taking deep breaths, walk a mile before the test--none have helped me!! Nonetheless, it is important to determine if students are grasping the concept of the lecture material so, I think the best type of exam is an essay. This is more than likely because I am a writer and essays are easy for me. Still yet, I think students will be able to convey to professors and teachers what they have learned in an essay. I have always thought of Multiple Choice as Multiple Guess--if 2 of the answers are right then the option to choose would be all of the above; True False has always baffled me and I think it is because I read things backward--so, true/false is a negative; Fill in the blank...hmmm not so bad, matching???---a student's worse nightmare! Those are my thoughts--your writing is fulfilling, keep up the good work.

Posted: Aug 10, 2008

Hey Gabriel:

Since you are an English professor, would you read my Literary Analysis on "MacBeth"?

Posted: Aug 12, 2008

Interesting take on exams. As a student, I had always seen the plain and obvious downside to exams -- they were frustrating!!! However, seeing the negative side of it from a teacher's perspective was certainly enlightening. This article particularly caught my interest because as the Jr. Editor of my high school's newspaper, these are the kind of ideas that I look for. Very interesting; keep on writing!!!

Posted: Aug 14, 2008

I REALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS TOPIC. WELL SAID.

Posted: Aug 16, 2008

I've just gone through my AS exams and did not get the results I was hoping for. I entirely agree that exams put a lot of unnecessary pressure on students in what should be the most carefree years of their lives. The stupidest thing is that when we've done our full A levels, the AS ones won't even matter. When I got my results, I actually cried, but I'm hoping that I can retake and salvage the wreckage.
Another thing I believe is that the format of the exams is sometimes innapropriate (and this is just personal). I know that for spelling and things like that, a written exam is necessary, but in philosophy and ethics (my disappointing grade) I am certain I would have fared better had it been an oral exam.

Anyway, that's my little rant out of the way. I like the article, and hope you could do me the service of reading some of my work when you have the time. :)

Posted: Aug 25, 2008

priyanka
(not registered user)

i am agree with u on this topic its really gud.........

Posted: Sep 22, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks for your agreement and comment, glad you liked it!, but.. who are you ? .. :s

Finding a balance would be awesome, but as so much of our academic system is tied to/dependent on not only examination, but standardized testing, I don't think a balance is on the horizon.

As someone who just graduated from college I will say that I always felt that exams weren't so much a measurement of my knowledge over the material as they were a test of my ability to take the exam itself. Each professor had such a distinct style of testing, you had to learn that style almost more than the material - which in my opinion is counter productive.

Posted: Sep 23, 2008

Author Comment:

I agree with you =) thanks for your comment and adding your opinion.
Gabriel

Did anyone say No-Exams? I AM IN... Hehehe beautiful. I really liked your view on examination. You are definitely right in saying that it creates a lot of problems. Like in my school, we've got daily tests. YES EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE IS A TEST IN OUR SCHOOL! Believe me it is hell.

Posted: Sep 24, 2008

I realize that this is completely off topic, but is your name Gabriel??

Coz that's my fav guys name in the whole wide world!!!

And Adam too. :)

♥ Alyxx.

ps. check out my Book of Shadows, if you have time.

Posted: Oct 30, 2008



Add Your Comments:

Your Name:

Spam protection control::

© Copyright 2008 gabrielbrum All rights reserved. gabrielbrum has granted theNextBigWriter, LLC non-exclusive rights to display this work on Booksie.com.

About | News | Contact | Your Account | TheNextBigWriter | Advertise

© 2008 TheNextBigWriter, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Policy.