Do you agree or disagree with the statement “We shouldn’t use examination results to assess a student’s ability because they’re unfair indications”?
A student must take numerous exams in all of 13 subjects during his/her education. There have been a lot of criticisms of this fact; many have doubted whether it would be fair enough to assess a student’s ability simply by examination results and many are also calling for a change.
Obviously, it is made against students who tend to perform badly in their exams. Students only have a very small time and only one opportunity to do the best that they possibly can in competition with every other student. After all, judgments on their working life and ability will be made in the form of a number over 10: 7, 8, 9.5…. An exam, no matter how cleverly written cannot possibly be a reliable indication of a student’s ability. Besides, there can be tons of things that have negative effects on students’ exam results: students who are having illnesses cannot manage to be as sound in mind as other healthy ones, not mention emotional trauma, lack in pens, papers… Moreover, it is a fact that there are always students who are cheating during an examination. The examination cannot cover all indications for assessment because it only requires a cram of theory. What about other forms of assessment such as: course work, oral presentation? These ones might be a lot more accurate since they can test the students’ diligence, initiative, deductive reasoning and organizational skills. In summary, a much better way to judge students’ abilities would be to focus more on their coursework or have a written report from their teachers describing their attitude toward lessons and their general abilities.
But on the other hand, examination can assess the students’ performance in the same certain time. The questions are all alike and a student’s paper may be marked by more than one teacher. Furthermore, it cannot be denied that a final exam will motivate students to work harder and prepare well for it. If you don’t study, you won’t pass! Studying for exams is also important because they show that you are responsible, apt and industrious in many different aspects. At least, if you do well in your paper, you will get the grade you deserve and pass on to the next challenge in your life.
To sum up, I think it would be better if a student’s ability is judged by both his/her exam’s results and coursework. Examinations sometimes are really unfair indications.
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TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture on the history of the English language