There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than through continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment?
Examinations, in layman’s terms, are graded assessments to determine a student’s knowledge on various topics. Nowadays, it seems that the trend towards assessing students on continual assessments are increasing as compared to having exams. It is beneficial as lesser stress is induced on these students as they are only required to excel in the final exams. At the same
time
, teachers are unable to gauge the understanding of their pupils, unlike continuous assessments which allow them to.
Certainly, evaluating students based on examinations can be a drawback as Use synonyms
this
system does not grade the true ability of their knowledge on the topics tested. To exemplify, exams occur only at the end of the year when teachers have completed the syllabus of the module, whereas, tertiary education – Colleges, Polytechnic, University have tests done bi-weekly. Linking Words
This
way, it enables teachers to view the constant effort and the diligence of the students. Linking Words
Therefore
, it is conclusively clear that the lecturers can have a better overview of the pupil’s ability to grasp the concepts taught in class when assessments are conducted Linking Words
instead
of the one-Linking Words
time
examination.
Yet, students taking exams subject to lesser stress. Use synonyms
For instance
, rather than exams, there is an increase in workload when taking continual assessments. On top of the need to study for tests, lecturers give out projects. Linking Words
As a result
, the majority of the students are subjected to immense pressure and often pull an all-nighter to finish off their assignments. Typically, Linking Words
this
occurs when one advances towards higher education levels, and most often, these pupils lose the motivation to study. Henceforth, isn’t it better for students to progress at a pace where they find most comfortable before sitting for examinations where lesser stress is felt?
Linking Words
Moreover
, students sitting for examinations have more Linking Words
time
to prepare. Use synonyms
For example
, in Singapore, secondary school pupils have the entire 4 to 5 years to prepare and do well for the important examination, O’ levels. But, many argue that doing away with Linking Words
such
a system has its pros as students are not able to score by luck when they do Linking Words
last
-minute studying. Yes, one Linking Words
time
may happen, but not all the Use synonyms
time
. It deters students from cramming as Use synonyms
this
is highly negative for employers as well as society as a whole to have Linking Words
such
young graduates with little or absolutely no knowledge of their subjects.
To conclude, it is advantageous to use examinations as students are subjected to lesser pressure and have a long Linking Words
time
to revise for their examinations. Use synonyms
Although
the case, unlike tests, lecturers are unable to evaluate the student’s true ability in grasping the key concepts of the lesson and sometimes, students may be able to score well in exams even though they study until the very Linking Words
last
minute. Ultimately, be it ungraded tests or graded assignments, undergraduates need to plan out their Linking Words
time
and put in constant efforts to be able to score well in their finals.Use synonyms
Submitted by Isabelle Chua on
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Answer the 'Advantages and Disadvantages' topic
IELTS advantages and disadvantages questions normally give you a statement and ask you to comment on the advantages and disadvantages of that statement.
Answer structure for the type of essay
- Introduction
- Body paragraph 1 – advantages
- Body paragraph 2 – disadvantages
- Conclusion
Examples to start your body paragraph:
- The main advantage is...
- The disadvantage of this...
- The main benefit...
- Despite these advantages...
- One possible drawback...