There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment?

It is widely observed that many schools prefer to implement exam-based systems for evaluating their students rather than continual
assessment
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, which involves various tasks.
While
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this
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approach offers several advantages, it
also
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presents certain drawbacks.
This
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essay will discuss the potential benefits and disadvantages of assessing learners solely through examinations. One major benefit of an exam-centred approach is that it allows for a more objective standardised form of evaluation. Project scores in continual
assessment
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can be influenced by teacher bias. Meanwhile, written examinations are conducted under the same conditions for every student and are marked
according to
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fixed criteria.
This
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makes the final result less subjective and
therefore
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fairer, especially in larger classes.
For instance
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, a large-scale study in the UK showed that standardised exams assessed students’ recall and problem-solving skills with over 85% reliability because all pupils completed the same test under identical conditions.
On the other hand
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, prioritising examinations as the primary
assessment
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tool can increase mental pressure on students. When grades depend entirely on one or two high-stakes tests, learners do not have alternative marks from presentations, projects, and coursework.
As a result
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, they are forced to memorise large amounts of information in a short period during exam weeks, which can lead to anxiety, burnout, and poor mental health.
For example
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, statistics provided by a public university show that 10% of secondary school students in their senior year should consume several medicines during intense exam months. In conclusion, using exam-based systems to measure student performance provides a fair and consistent method of
assessment
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.
However
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, relying on them alone can increase stress levels and harm students’ well-being.

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task response
Give a clear, direct view in the opening and stay on it. Add more real and clear examples to back each point.
coherence and cohesion
Link ideas with small, easy links. Use one idea at a time and end with a simple final thought.
structure
The essay shows both sides of the issue.
content
There are numbers or facts used to back some ideas.
structure
There is a clear end that sums up the view.
Your opinion

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Don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion.

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

...do you agree or disagree?...do you think...?...your opinion...?

Topic Vocabulary:
  • standardized assessment
  • objectivity
  • recall
  • apply knowledge
  • high-stakes
  • motivate
  • benchmark
  • performance
  • stress and anxiety
  • mental health
  • comprehensive assessment
  • practical skills
  • creativity
  • critical thinking
  • rote memorization
  • superficial learning
  • learning styles
  • educational inequities
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