Exams encourage students to learn. |
While educators use exams to measure student comprehension, students also benefit from the feedback that they give on their studies. I strongly believe that exams encourage students to learn by focusing their weakness of academic fields and forcing them to focus on lectures. First of all, exams are good stimuli for students to do their study, especially when you know your test score and recognize where you stand. For example, I was preparing for SAT exam. Although I have studied for several months, I was not sure what the potential maximum score I can get is until I took an exam recently. After getting the test score, I could demonstrate my weak point and strong point in a certain academic field. It allowed me to focus my weakness, reading comprehension, since then I had read a book every night before go to bed. Finally, my reading score increased 90 points, from 680 to 770, only for 5 weeks. Therefore, you can use exams for a guide line for your future study. Moreover, exams encourage students to become involved in their education, rather than act as passive observers. They help students listen to teacher’s lectures more carefully. Last semester, for instance, I knew that I would be tested in my history class. That is why I spent more time taking notes during the lecture and actively participated in the discussion instead of just sitting in class. As a result, I not only received a higher grade on my exam, but also got a better understanding of the subject. I saw for myself that when students know that they will have to take an exam in their class, they are more likely to take a responsibility for their own learning. In conclusion, I firmly believe that exams encourage students to learn. The rational behind this is that students not only learn important study strategy, to concentrate one’s weak point, but also get motivated to pay attention in classes. |