Band 9 Essay Sample – Assessing Educational Achievement: The Pros and Cons of Traditional Exams

The use of traditional “pen and paper” examinations as a means of assessing academic achievement has been a long-standing practice in the education system, despite some ground-breaking research in the field. While many individuals argue that this method is flawed, I hold a more nuanced perspective on the matter.

Undoubtedly, paper-based written exams have their limitations. One major drawback is that they solely evaluate a student’s performance on the specific day of the exam, which can be unfair. Even a bright student who faced unforeseen challenges in preparing for the exam may end up with a poor grade, despite consistently performing well in class tests and informal assessments throughout the year. This practice fails to account for a student’s overall progress and growth. Moreover, such exams often encourage rote learning, where students memorize answers purely for the purpose of scoring well, without truly understanding the underlying concepts. This kind of learning is short-lived and detrimental to both the students and society in the long run.

An alternative approach could involve continuous evaluation, where schools closely monitor students’ performance from the beginning. This method considers a broader range of parameters to assess a student’s merit. However, continuous evaluation is not without its flaws. It can be subject to manipulation, as schools and teachers may be driven to obtain impressive results for their institutions, turning education into a fiercely competitive field. As a result, impartiality in grading becomes questionable.

A more effective solution could be a combination of written examinations and continuous evaluation. By incorporating both approaches, students’ capabilities are more accurately assessed. This way, even if a student performs poorly on exam day, their overall achievements and growth can be taken into account, resulting in a fairer evaluation process.

In conclusion, while traditional written examinations have their shortcomings, so do other methods of evaluation. A balanced approach that combines both written exams and continuous evaluation can lead to a more comprehensive and equitable assessment of students’ abilities. To enhance the education system, governments and schools should embrace a diverse range of evaluation methods and parameters to truly understand and nurture the potential of their students.

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