Many people believe that formal 'pen and paper' examinations are not the best method of assessing educational achievement. What is your view of examinations? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience

The effectiveness of formal "pen and paper"

examinations

as a method of assessing educational achievement has been a topic of debate for a long time.

While

some people argue that

examinations

are a fair and effective way of evaluating

students

'

knowledge

and

skills

, others believe that they are not the best method of

assessment

. In my opinion,

examinations

can be a useful tool for assessing educational achievement, but they

also

have their limitations. On the one hand,

examinations

provide a standardized measure of

knowledge

and

skills

, allowing teachers and educators to compare

students

' performance and identify areas where they need improvement.

For instance

, in a classroom setting,

examinations

can help teachers to assess

students

' understanding of a particular concept or subject matter, and adjust their teaching methods

accordingly

.

Moreover

,

examinations

help

students

develop important

skills

such

as time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in their future careers.

For example

, in a medical school,

students

are required to take rigorous

examinations

to test their

knowledge

and

skills

in diagnosing and treating patients. These

examinations

help to ensure that medical

students

are competent and ready to practice medicine safely and effectively.

On the other hand

,

examinations

can be stressful and put unnecessary pressure on

students

, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being.

For instance

, in some countries,

students

are required to take high-stakes

examinations

that can determine their future academic and career prospects.

This

can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts in extreme cases.

Furthermore

,

examinations

may not fully capture a

student

's true abilities and potential.

For example

, a

student

who is a talented artist or musician may not perform well in a written examination but may excel in a practical or project-based

assessment

. In conclusion,

while

examinations

can be a useful tool for assessing educational achievement, they are not without their limitations. They can be stressful and may not fully capture a

student

's true abilities and potential.

Therefore

, educators and policymakers should consider alternative methods of

assessment

,

such

as project-based evaluations, group projects, and oral presentations, which can provide a more comprehensive picture of a

student

's

knowledge

and

skills

. By adopting a more diverse range of

assessment

methods, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that allows all

students

to succeed and reach their full potential.