Is written examination conducted by schools appropriate for judging a child’s skills and abilities?

A written exam, as we know, focuses on the student’s ability to memorize and reproduce facts with regard to understanding or application. The point to ponder is, is it really an appropriate way of judging someone’s skills and abilities?

Bharath Jackson

(a choreographer) aptly said, “Everything has its PROS and CONS and we should strive to become a PRO to handle the cons.”

First, let us consider the benefits of written examinations conducted by schools. It acts as a tool for learning and working. Without examination, students might not pay attention to what is being taught but in order to perform well among peers, students will definitely pay attention. Healthy competition among peers (spirit of competition) is like a cherry on a cupcake. Written examinations help learners to assess their knowledge and understanding of the concept.

It helps them diagnose the mistakes they make in order to avoid repetition of the same. It is an excellent tool for teachers as well, as they get to know the mistakes their learners make so that they can make necessary changes in their teaching strategies to cater to the educational needs of their students. As multiple subjects are taught at schools, some of them are

of little or no relevance to the career aspirations of the child. Still, they get an insight into all the subjects which helps them in identifying the subject they are good at, their interest which ultimately helps them in their career planning accordingly. They choose the stream (Science, Commerce, and Arts) in higher classes which will help them in achieving their career goals so interest identification is one such benefit, besides they get a general knowledge of all the subjects for their all – around intellectual development.

Time Management is another skill that students get to learn which is a life skill as well. As written examinations are time bound.i.e., they are supposed to complete it in 3 hours, they learn to manage time as to how much time should be devoted to complete which task.