Article. Which way to assess?

Дата публикации: May 21, 2014 11:40:38 AM

We are a popular tabloid newspaper and would like to receive articles from students to see how they have reacted to the decision made by their university to get rid of examinations. All degrees will now be based on continuous assessment and project work. How do you feel about this? We want to hear from you. Is it a good or a bad idea? Send your articles to the address below, or e-mail us direct.

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Which way to assess?

Examination is a common universal way to check the present level of students’ knowledge.

My university decides to get rid of examinations and uses continuous assessment and project work for all degrees.

Is this really the best thing for us? It’s a good question.

On the first thought, an examination is a complete assess of the knowledge level.

Being aware of the exam’s topic and its time and date, students can effectively and efficiently spend their time to prepare themselves for the test.

Therefore examinations are profitable for the students.

Exams are very convenient for the teachers also because they can assess all their students at a time without checking their knowledge individually.

So there are certainly advantages of exams but what about the other side of the coin?

I’m sure you will agree with me when I say that the actual student knowledge level could not agree with the mark.

On the one hand, an examination can be a major source of stress bringing the results down.

On the other hand, some students could prepare for the exams formally, only for achieving a good mark, rather than gain knowledge through practical experience.

What’s more, the examination is a feature of the low quality mass education.

Personally, I agree with the university council’s decision because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

All degrees should be based on continuous assessment and project work which allows assessing an actual knowledge level through practical experience.

After all, what is more important, a mark or actual knowledge?

256 words

II

Which way to assess?

Examination is a common universal way to check the current level of students’ knowledge.

My university decides to get rid of examinations and uses continuous assessment and project work for all degrees.

Is this really the best thing for us? It’s a good question.

On the first thought, an examination is a complete assessment of the knowledge level.

Being aware of the exam’s topic and its time and date, students can effectively and efficiently spend their time to get prepare for the test.

Therefore examinations are profitable for the students.

Exams are very convenient for the teachers also because they can assess all their students at a time without checking their knowledge individually.

So exams certainly provide some advantages but what about the other side of the coin?

I’m sure you will agree with me when I say that the actual student knowledge level could not reflect with the mark.

On the one hand, an examination can be a major source of stress bringing the results down.

On the other hand, some students could prepare for the exams formally, only for achieving a good mark, rather than gaining knowledge through practical experience.

What’s more, the examination is a feature of the mass education.

Personally, I agree with the university council’s decision because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

All degrees should be based on continuous assessment and project work which allows to assess actual knowledge level through practical experience.

After all, what is more important, an assessment mark or actual knowledge?