Over the years, educational institutions in many countries have relied on tests and examinations as the gold standard for grading students. Despite the numerous benefits of using these methods to grade school-goers, the drawbacks cannot be overlooked. This essay will discuss the merits and demerits of tests and examination in details.
The main advantage of having these testing systems in place is the fact that without them, it will be impossible to determine the efficacy of the lectures and classes. This is because, exams are based off the source materials educators use in training their pupils, and to ascertain their level of understanding of that topic, the test is required. For example, during my student years in Russia, tests were handed out to us at the end of every topic, and this helped us learn better as it exposed areas where we still had some misunderstandings. Consequently, the tutors were able to pass on information more effectively with us. This clearly shows the value of examinations and tests in the school system.
On the other hand, tests and examinations have been shown to be a poor indicator of a students academic prowess. This is as a result of the testing environment in educational institutions, which has been shown to affect the actual performance of an average test taker, regardless of the level of preparation for the quiz. For instance, a research report from the University of Saratov in 2017, showed that test takers scored higher when the environment was more conducive than their counterparts taking a similar test in a less comfortable scenario. This shows that biases in the results of tests occur, and are not related to the students' ability, but as a result of the testing environment. Consequently defeating the purpose of the examinations.
In conclusion, tests and examinations have been vital to every academic institution mainly because it serves as a feedback for teachers, and I believe this reason far outweighs the drawback, that is, tests may not actually reveal the level of understanding of the student.
Over the years, educational institutions in
many
countries have relied on
tests
and
examinations
as the gold standard for grading
students
. Despite the numerous benefits of using these methods to grade school-goers, the drawbacks cannot
be overlooked
. This essay will discuss the merits and demerits of
tests
and
examination
in
details
.
The main advantage of having these testing systems in place is the fact that without them, it will be impossible to determine the efficacy of the lectures and classes. This is
because
, exams
are based
off the source materials educators
use
in training their pupils, and to ascertain their level of understanding of that topic, the
test
is required
.
For example
, during my
student
years in Russia,
tests
were handed
out to us at the
end
of every topic, and this
helped
us learn better as it exposed areas where we
still
had
some
misunderstandings.
Consequently
, the tutors were able to pass on information more
effectively
with us. This
clearly
shows
the value of
examinations
and
tests
in the school system.
On the other hand
,
tests
and
examinations
have
been shown
to be a poor indicator of a
students
academic prowess. This is
as a result
of the testing environment in educational institutions, which has
been shown
to affect the actual performance of an average
test
taker, regardless of the level of preparation for the quiz.
For instance
, a research report from the University of Saratov in 2017,
showed
that
test
takers scored higher when the environment was more conducive than their counterparts taking a similar
test
in a less comfortable scenario. This
shows
that biases in the results of
tests
occur, and are not related to the students' ability,
but
as a result
of the testing environment.
Consequently
defeating the purpose of the examinations.
In conclusion
,
tests
and
examinations
have been vital to every academic institution
mainly
because
it serves as a feedback for teachers, and I believe this reason far outweighs the drawback,
that is
,
tests
may not actually reveal the level of understanding of the
student
.