Exams - how reliable are they?

Originally posted by: Rage-Of-Angels

'''''Waves'''''''''

Im sure all of us have sat exams at some point in our lives, let it be standard grades exams, Highers or University levels etc, but exactly how can exams be reliable? and do you believe exams are getting easier by the day? One or two hour tests taken in silence have been consistently questioned by some as having little or no bearing on real life situations in the modern world. Students with photographic memories fly through, whilst most, in their nervousness, have a much more uncertain and not always predictable outcome and might be capable of more than they produce on the paper.

Yes, true... in India atleast exams are more a test of how good your memory is. In higher level professional courses, the exams usually try to test your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real life situations. But even in that if students deviate from the steps prescibed in the text book and tries to be innovative, then they may not find the marks to be very impressive. So, essentially it still remains a test of how well you remember the theory and your ability to interject the real life terms given in the question in between that theoretical answer.

One question, i assume a very few students actually study for the pleasure of it...im pretty sure most of us cram everything in the last few days, and after a few weeks/months the materials are forgotten, question how reliable is exams then? do you think other process could be used to test understanding/knowledge/intelligence? if so what? okay ive realized its more than just one question now. 😆

I certainly never studied for pleasure except for a few subjects. But I agree with you, people who study for pleasure remembers, those like me who studies only for exams forgets as soon as the exams are over. My mom who had to study against odds (bcos my grandmom was not very keen about girls getting much education) still remembers everything even poems, what notes teachers gave in the class, right from class 1 or 2 to her honours classes, I can never even think of remembering so much school work. 😕

Edit: For those taking their exams, Good luck! For those who are finished...Enjoy Flying! Whistles!

I am in the second category since 2007. 😃

Xoxo

Originally posted by: Rage-Of-Angels

'''''Waves'''''''''

Im sure all of us have sat exams at some point in our lives, let it be standard grades exams, Highers or University levels etc, but exactly how can exams be reliable? and do you believe exams are getting easier by the day? One or two hour tests taken in silence have been consistently questioned by some as having little or no bearing on real life situations in the modern world. Students with photographic memories fly through, whilst most, in their nervousness, have a much more uncertain and not always predictable outcome and might be capable of more than they produce on the paper.

When I was in India, I was a pretty average students. I actually had a few epic fails during my school years in Math and Chem. I just passed English in SSC with 36/100. In the United States I am an acer and even have had semesters of 4.0 GPA. I think I must be bipolar.

One question, i assume a very few students actually study for the pleasure of it...im pretty sure most of us cram everything in the last few days, and after a few weeks/months the materials are forgotten, question how reliable is exams then? do you think other process could be used to test understanding/knowledge/intelligence? if so what? okay ive realized its more than just one question now. 😆
Studying actually turns me on. It is the most bizarre thing ever.

Edit: For those taking their exams, Good luck! For those who are finished...Enjoy Flying! Whistles!

Xoxo

Back in high school hated exams. I would even break into sweats and fevers over it. Now I like exams just for the kicks of it. I think I cannot handle pressure.

Don't think their reliable, yes they help you to build techniques and skills in writing and learning, its all about the skills of preperation, if one fails it certainly does not mean they weren't good/smart enough for the paper, it means the lack of prepartioin they invested was just not enough. I think practical work is much relaible.