Should entrance tests replace boards? - Page 2

Originally posted by: Angel-likeDevil

My preparation for ICSE 10th board was scary but thrilling at the same time. It had very vast syllabus and many subjects, plus, I had referred to multiple books besides the prescribed textbooks during my preparation.

TBH with you, suicide rates are all different issue altogether. In my perspective, it's too personal and blame cannot be put on the govt or the education board that has been functioning so well for such a long time.

I remember referring to previous year question papers, and our ICSE board exams had vast syllabus...and trust me, the standard 20 years ago was much much higher. Just the sort of questions and the language was too high.

I dont think the syllabus should be toned down at all... whatever I have read untill my 10th is like a BASE. It helps me understand things I read now. I dont even think that the students should have the choice to opt out of exams either, because, if they have a choice, I dont think many students would take their boards seriously, let alone the hundreds who would simply opt out. I dont see the purpose of having an education system without exams. Which student will study on their own? Everyone wishes they were dead rather than attempting boards, but when they grow up, they will be thankful for all the basic knowledge school have impregnated their brains with.

Also, they always have the choice of opting for another syllabus.

Coming to competitive exams, as in, entrances for the colleges.. I think every college should have an entrance test, that would test a student's grip on the basics and ofcourse, an interview. I am not aware of the syllabuses prescribed by different entrance exams, so, I hope the syllabus prescribed is standard to all the Boards(ICSE, CBSE, SSC, ISC, etc) .

Originally posted by: Heart

Originally posted by: publicparty

No one has the right to judge another person on the basis of 90 minutes or more. A person and his life is worth more than that ...

It definitely is but there has to be some criteria to enter colleges, right?

There should be no such tests to enter an educational institution...there should be enough classrooms for all ... and only a uniform should be there for people to enter, and a code of conduct to stay in the classroom.

That's very idealistic, I'd say.

If there should be a test, that should be on the job spot where a person can display their skills to prove that they are worthwhile to get employed.

Knowledge dissemation should be free of such biases 😎

There has to be some criteria to distinguish intellectual level of students and Board examination does that to some extent. The matter of reservation or undeserving students getting good score is another kettle of fish all together.

It works in the countries favor in a way. Those who are more knowledgeable can learn a better environment with better infrastructure so that their talent is further developed.

Every one should get an opportunity to study and yes, to that end I agree with you.

Originally posted by: Angel-likeDevil

My preparation for ICSE 10th board was scary but thrilling at the same time. It had very vast syllabus and many subjects, plus, I had referred to multiple books besides the prescribed textbooks during my preparation.

TBH with you, suicide rates are all different issue altogether. In my perspective, it's too personal and blame cannot be put on the govt or the education board that has been functioning so well for such a long time.

You took the words right out of my mouth (or is it fingers?)

I remember referring to previous year question papers, and our ICSE board exams had vast syllabus...and trust me, the standard 20 years ago was much much higher. Just the sort of questions and the language was too high.

Yes, I have heard about that too.

I dont think the syllabus should be toned down at all... whatever I have read untill my 10th is like a BASE. It helps me understand things I read now. I dont even think that the students should have the choice to opt out of exams either, because, if they have a choice, I dont think many students would take their boards seriously, let alone the hundreds who would simply opt out. I dont see the purpose of having an education system without exams. Which student will study on their own? Everyone wishes they were dead rather than attempting boards, but when they grow up, they will be thankful for all the basic knowledge school have impregnated their brains with.

Also, they always have the choice of opting for another syllabus.

Coming to competitive exams, as in, entrances for the colleges.. I think every college should have an entrance test, that would test a student's grip on the basics and ofcourse, an interview. I am not aware of the syllabuses prescribed by different entrance exams, so, I hope the syllabus prescribed is standard to all the Boards(ICSE, CBSE, SSC, ISC, etc) .

Originally posted by: seoulbeats

So we scrape off examinations to reduce the stress students endure and then what happens? The very same students remain unemployed because they are not properly trained and haven't read till a certain difficultly level. Unemployment will again lead to suicide. That's a vicious circle. The answer lies not in doing away with the boards but in providing better counselling to students and reducing the amount of pressure parents impose on them.

How can you be so sure unless you try it? 😕 Students still have the very same syllabus, very same school exams and the very same annoying teachers and homework to cope up with. What I am just saying is that entrance exams should replace boards and that does not mean that the students will be under-trained in anyway.

Secondly, you are talking about unemployment as if it is an total alien subject in the present scenario.

See, people commit suicide for personal reasons which may vary from hopelessness, loneliness and intolerance of situation.

People commit suicide in the name of love so should we do away with love to?

That's no solution, is it?

Loneliness is a total different scenario and it is not a part of the topic we are discussing here. We cant allow students burdened with pressure to commit suicide just because the love sick people commit suicide too, can we?

Instead of changing a system which has been working well for so many years we should change the way we perceive academics and stress levels.

Does not work when you have to cope up with two different types of syllabus in the same year and ace at both. That is too much work.

You are making exams sound like a Nazi camp! What you agree with isn't pragmatic at all. No one can handle sudden stress. It's better to understand that taking some stress makes you thrive.

I agree that stress makes you thrive, but when you have to ace at two things it divides your attention and hence your possibility of getting into a good college.

There need not be a super human ability to cope with exams. Just a healthy attitude and doing away with boards all together is a silly opportunity cost.

Coaching classes are not a waste of money if they have strict discipline, intense study sections and tests.In the end they can't guarantee you a seat in the college/ university of your choice but then again, nothing can.

Coaching classes are not a waste of money?

Why to take coaching classes if the student can learn the same thing at school?

Why cant they just come up with a common syllabus so that the child does all the learning at school and does not have to waste hours travelling and in coaching classes?

P.S I am not talking about 10th boards, I am talking about 12th boards and entrance exams.

Originally posted by: Heart

Originally posted by: seoulbeats

Sky rocketing cut-offs have left students and parents bewildered.

While you make study hard and secure even a 95 percent, it wouldn't guarantee you a seat in the top college of the country.

A sort of saturation point has been reached when most of the people are just waiting to see what cut-off will the to colleges keep.

Shri Ram College of Commerce, the best college in our country according to India Times Survey, declared a 100 % cut-off last year. While this year they chose a different formula to calculate cut-offs the fact still remains- till what extent will they stretch cut-offs?

A plausible solution could be to replace the existing system of Board examination with the entrance test but then some feel that the importance of Board Exams will be undermined and students will become lethargic and laid back.

So what do you think? Entrance tests or Boards?