There’s
something no student wants to face at the end of each semester. It’s obvious. Almost all schools
assess students by means ofexaminations. Almost everyone
would agree that exams are stressful. Exams cause a great deal offear and many students do
worse in exams than in other
forms of assessment. Of course many
argue that exams are a great
form of training for later life when success depends on dealing with
a variety of stresses. So,
here’s the question. “Are exams necessary?”
Coursework is a much more
genuine assessment of a candidate because it takes
into account research, understanding of the issues and ability to express oneself, not just
ability to answer a question in a very limitedperiod of time.
Second
Statement:
Some students have breakdowns and, in extreme cases, attemptsuicide because they cannot
handle the pressure, especially with
university placement relying on grades.
As well as causing personal problems, pressure
can lead many bright students to under-perform. Exams test
your ability to keep your cool more than they test your intelligence. Examination
results depend on the opinion of
the individualexaminer. The same paper
marked by two different examiners
could get completely different results.
This is exacerbated by the short time that examiners spend marking
a paper.
Cons
First Statement:
Things such as open book exams, and questions
which ask you to evaluate information are
not merely testing memory, but
your ability to apply your knowledge.
Coursework
is valuable but should be used
in conjunction with exams.
A student might answer a question very well given time and help from
teachers, family and textbooks, but then be unable to apply what they
have learnt to another question coming from a different angle.
Second Statement:
Pressure is a fact of life and children must be prepared for it. Pressure
only increases at university and in the workplace and we must teach
children how to perform well in these conditions rather than protect them from them.
Coursework must also be marked by individuals, so the same criticism applies. It is
not significant however, as moderation and examiners
meetings ensure that papers are marked
to the same standards.
Main 
Second
Statement: 
Coursework
is 