Advantages and disadvantages of examinations: Examinations are tests to determine a student’s ability and strength. Academically, an examination is a recognition test of knowledge and intelligence. In order to assess the skills and intelligence of individuals, various types of exams are administered worldwide. The exam is usually written, although some may have a practical component.
Life has become so complicated now that examinations have developed into an important part of one’s educational career. The importance of examinations is so prominent that most students are nervous about them. Examinations are loved by many and hated by many.
Advantages of Exams
Exams increase knowledge: Examinations not only check students but also improve their knowledge. Students need to learn everything and understand every concept so that they can pass their exams. Sometimes, people come across technical terms that are not defined in the book. This shows that students have to search online to get answers and that through this process, their knowledge of the subject increases. Without exams, students can learn nothing at home; they will spend time playing games, which might make them possibly fail in real life.
Exams improve memory: Exams not only enhance your knowledge but also your memory. When academics know what they have read throughout the year, this can more effectively present long-term memory. When a student starts repeating a definition, it may take them a long time to learn it, but by practicing it again and again, they can improve their study skills and more knowledge can be stored in their brain in a short time.
Disadvantages of Examinations
Reduced efficiency: In order to get good grades, students usually focus more on rote memorization and neglect concepts. They do get good grades, but at the cost of reduced knowledge, an approach that minimizes students’ practical abilities. The grades these students get on exams are no guarantee of success in real life!
Comparison between students: Students who get A D on A math test should be compared with students who get an A. Every child has a different ability to learn. An important problem raised by examinations is the comparison between children/students, ignoring the fact that all people are different from each other. Some students learn new concepts effectively, while others are better at sports (Prasanna, 2022).
Many parts of the world, particularly in Asia , have seen the disadvantages of relying too heavily on one set of tests and are trying in various ways to try to water them down as a means of differentiating students, both because they are perceived as overpressuring young people and because the results reinforce class privilege time and time again. The problem with the latter is that no alternative measure of academic strength or potential has yet been proposed with significantly reduced relevance to privilege. Moreover, exam results, whatever the mistakes are, do provide transparency in the results and are, therefore, fairer (Usher, 2016).
Reference:
Prasanna (2021). Advantages and Disadvantages of Exams | Examination Advantages and Disadvantages for Students. [online] A Plus Topper. Available at: https://www.aplustopper.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-exams/ [Accessed 5 August 2022].
Usher, A. (2016). A Brief History of Exams. [online] HESA. Available at: https://higheredstrategy.com/a-brief-history-of-exams/ [Accessed 5 August 2022].
