Effectiveness And Relevance of Examinations in Today Educational Conte

Question: Discuss about the Effectiveness And Relevance of Examinations in Todays Educational Context. Answer: Introduction Examinations have been viewed as a menace to student over the years as they are pervasive and pressure-packed. In Singapore, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) was established to oversee the National Examination Structure to ensure the country maintains the international standards of education (Tan, 2008). Exams have been defined as formal evaluations that seek to measure the students knowledge and skills in a particular field. Just last week my baby sister asked me what exams are and why I had to do them. The questions evoked a series of thoughts on how effective are examinations and their relevance. Effectiveness refers to the degree which a thing is successful, while relevance points at the state of being closely connected. Tests compel the student to concentrate and learn while also creating a competitive environment for the students while also assessing the skills, talents and knowledge gain by the student. Examinations also motivate students to achieve highe r grades while instilling punctuality, time management, and public address power. This research paper has explored how effective and relevant exams are in the present educational context. Competition Examinations have encouraged competition in the education arena. Competition affects student differently, to some, it causes stress or anxiety while for others, it might motivate them to excel. Competition doesnt only show up in a personal capacity only but also among schools. For example, during science or math fair, students often come together and pull their intellectual energy together. On the other hand, some students view examinations as a way to compete with self and therefore see it as an opportunity to better themselves. Competition Markets school choice with many preferring private schools over public schools. Since private schools perform better in examinations, the quality of education in them is deemed better compared to the public schools (Levin, 2002). Further, research has indicated that there is a statistically significant correlation between increased competition and achievement. Where there is competition, standards of performance tend to go high. Competition in th e academic arena is intertwined with that of the social field. Lastly, Competition measures how much a subject is accepted and how it has been integrated into the curriculum. By that examinations have achieved competition, they should receive more support from the academic world and enjoy broader acceptance. Learning Learning is deemed successful when a student can communicate ideas in such a ways that other people will understand him/ her. Successful learning has been achieved by use of examinations that are carried out on a continuous basis or a random basis. The ability of a student to do well in his/her examinations is proof that the student possesses both mental and general ability. Students learn with expectations of passing their exams at the end of the semester and attain a quality grade that will reflect on their knowledge in the area (Kellangham, 1995). Examinations encourage learning of transferable reasoning and analyzing skills by applying the knowledge already learned in class (Dietterich, 2003). It is important to note that tests do not only include on how much the student has grasped but also on how well he/she can apply the knowledge in real life. According to Eriksons four psychological stages of development, students must master both social skills and academic skills and keep u p with their fellow students otherwise they will feel inferior (Sigelman, 2006). Its, therefore, evident that while students learn and gain the academic knowledge, they also learning and developing social skills. Lastly, examinations have encouraged learning through identifying gaps in skills and knowledge and therefore has encouraged research and development in academic institutions, Universities have been at the forefront of research and development as part of the learning process. (National Science Foundation, 2015). Therefore tests bring forth a new way of doing something especially in the case of technical exams new inventions have been invented in trying to better the learning of students. Examinations are relevant to every scholar as it ensures students are continuously informed as reviews compel them to read resulting in absorbing knowledge. Assessment In education, the achievement of a student can be measured by his/her ability to pass the examination. All student are required to pass all their tests. For students taking doctoral exams, it a condition that they pass their test as a condition of being allowed to register for any credit beyond 45 (The Graduate Center, 2017). Examinations help facilitate students choice. A Certain career path that the student would wish to pursue demand student obtain high grades in particular course. Further, assessments have been used to accredit qualified student. For example in accounting profession course, student are required to take a regular final examination to demonstrate their knowledge or skills acquired. Also, reviews over time have been used to enable students, as well as teachers, identify faults of the material being taught and help in correcting them so that they can be well understood. Also, examinations are used to assess and rank student as they offer a controlled setting for auto nomous work and therefore used to authenticate the state of the scholars learning. Therefore evident that without assessing the progress of student by use of examinations, grading of student would not be achieved while at the same time identifying faults in the learning material and help in correcting it would not be a success. Also, accreditation of qualified students by professional bodies is made possible by use of tests hence adding variety to students learning. Conclusion Examinations can be oral, written or practical. Each type of exam requires specialized knowledge and skills to handle (Mengal, 2008). Despite many students being afraid of examination, evaluations are valid and relevant in meeting the goals of education (Dewey, 2004). Exams have proven a useful tool in the learning process as without the test most students would have no drive to read. The fear of failing in examinations compel students to be on their toes to ensure an easy time while taking the test as while at the same time attain excellent grades in all subjects that they are taking whether thought difficult or not. Also, examinations have encouraged healthy competition among scholars where student compete for better grades and receive awards among themselves as well as among learning institution. Lastly, exams help in assessing the progress achieved by the student. Some disciplines require a student to pass one level to proceed to the next one. Examinations are tailored to assess the fitness of student to progress to the next step by ensuring student develop substantive skills and knowledge in their field of study. Therefore, tests have set a benchmark and a system where academic achievement can be measured. References Levin, C. r. (2002). The Effects of Competition between Schools on Education Outcomes. Review of Educational Research, Vol. 72, pp. 279-341. Sigelman, C. (2006). Life Span Human Development (5th edition). Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth. Dewey, J. (2004). ASCD. Retrieved from ASCD website: https://www.ascd.org/publications Dietterich, T. G. (2003, May 26). Learning and Reasoning. Retrieved from Learning and Reasoning website:https://www.google.com/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=1cad=rjauact =8ved=0ahUKEwjXnunvpJLTAhXpBcAKHSc4CJcQFggeMAAURL=https: %2F%2Fp dfs.semanticscholar.org Kellangham, V. G. (1995). Equity issues in public Examinations In developing Countries. Washington D.C.: The International Bank for Reconstruction. Mengal, M. Q. (2008). Comprehensive Balochistan general knowledge for all types of examinations. Michigan: Balochi Academy. National Science Foundation. (2015). Retrieved from National Science Foundation Website: https://www.nsf.gov/mobile/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=130814org=NSF Tan, Y. K. (2008). Examinations in Singapore. 5, Toh Tuck Link: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. The Graduate Center, C. (2017). The Graduate Centre. Retrieved from The Graduate Centre WEBSITE: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/Page-Elements/Academics-Research-Centers-Initiatives/Doctoral-Programs/Psychology/Training