Over the past few years, the system of edification has evolved to a great extent. Therefore, nowadays various education institutes have opted the mode of test-paper in order to evaluate the learner’s understanding level in academics instead of regular analysis. Although, it has benefited the society in ways more than one, yet still its drawbacks need to be delved into, which I will expound in this essay.
The first and foremost merit is that the paper-based system of assessment creates competition among students. To explicit, examination phase brings the euphoria to compete with classmates wherein they tend to work hard and perform better than others. Besides this, conducting sessional examinations is lucrative for the educaters because during these gaps and they will have enough to participate in extra-curricular activities. To exemplify, they can continue with activities of performing arts and sports competition which will build in their overall personality and confidence.
On the contrary, the predominant demerit is that the sessional or annual exams tended to develop the habit of cramming among students. To substantiate, in order to achieve good grades in such evaluation tests the learners only memorise the answers and concepts without understanding them. Moreover, examination system also put the apprentices under pressure affecting their health. To illustrate, I read an article in the Indian express where it was discussed that 65% of students these days are experiencing mental stress in the competitive environment of exams as they are unable to handle their anxiety.
Two encapsulate, the exam assessments certainly have pros to develop positive competition as well as personality growth through other activities. However, its demerits cannot be completely overlooked which not only leads to cramming habit but also jeopardizing
the health of students because of stress of exams.