SLC-S29/W4-“Thinking and Ideas!| Rethinking the Normal!”
Can examination measure how intelligent someone is? Someone that's very intelligent wrote Jamb and scored 210. Can examination really test how intelligent we are or how smart someone is? That means if you can't pass an exam, you're not intelligent?
Name one practice, belief, or system that people accept as normal but should be questioned: |
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Examination as a true test of knowledge. Examinations are commonly seen as the only way to know whether a person is intelligent or truly understands what they were taught. From a very young age, students are judged by their exam results. Those who pass are praised, while those who fail are often looked down on. Many people believe that doing well in exams means you are knowledgeable, while failing means you are not. However, this belief should be questioned.
Exams mostly test how well someone can memorize information, write quickly, and stay calm under pressure. They do not always show how well a person understands a topic or how they can use that knowledge in real life. Some people know a subject very well but struggle during exams because of fear, stress, or poor writing skills. In everyday life, knowledge is shown through thinking, problem-solving, and applying what you know, not just by answering questions on paper.
Why do you think people rarely challenge it? |
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People rarely challenge examinations because the system has been used for many years and has become part of everyday life. Parents trust it because it is what they experienced while growing up. Teachers rely on it because it makes grading easier and faster. Schools and governments depend on exams to rank students and make decisions. Many people are also afraid of change.
They feel that if exams are removed, students will take school activities less seriously. Because exams are accepted by society as “normal,” most people can't stop to ask whether they are truly fair.
What could improve if this “normal” way changed? |
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If this “normal” way changed, learning would be more interesting, making students focus more on understanding a lesson than cramming just to pass exams. Teachers could use projects, class discussions, practical work, and presentations to assess students. This would give every learner a better chance to show what they know in different ways. Skills like creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking would be encouraged. Students mental health would also improve, as exam pressure could cause fear, anxiety, and stress for many learners.
What might be lost if it disappeared completely? |
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If examinations disappeared completely, some important things could be lost. Examinations teach students how to prepare, manage time, and work under pressure. Exams also provide a common standard for comparing students, especially when choosing people for higher education or jobs. Without examinations, assessment could also become unfair to some students. Others might lose motivation to study without clear goals.
This shows that exams are not entirely bad, but they shouldn't be the only way to measure knowledge. A mixed or balanced system that includes exams and other forms of assessment would be more preferable.