Drawbacks of Examination System
Introduction: Examinations, according to many, ‘are a necessary evil’. In fact, the examinations have a number of flaws, especially in the modern age.
There have been a lot of suggestions regarding reformation of the system of examination in India. Examination exists and it exists in the same manner as it did half a century back in our country.
Leacock once said, ‘parrots would pass the examination of our time better than men. It is the one who has a sharp memory that will make the highest score, though he may clear forget everything just the following morning’.
Drawbacks
The drawbacks or flaws of examination system in India are discussed below:
Matter of chance: It is often a matter of chance that a student may be asked to answer the questions, which he expected and ‘guessed’ aright and had prepared them in advance.
Limited Time: The time is limited; there is little time for the student even to think and reflect upon the topic, he is to dwell upon at length.
How strangely impossible it is that within a few hour’s time and within a short compass of choice, our modern students are expected to give a proof of their years and years of studies. Within a period of three hours only a student’s entire range of knowledge and ability is assessed and judged!
Frustration and terror: The ‘examination fever’ which very few fortunate can escape, is often likely to frustrate the mind of the candidates, in the same manner as cold-war fever deters and impairs some of the modern nations.
The terror of the examination is often likely to upset the mental make-up of the students. Examination is not an inspiring force; it is, to our average students, an object of terror. Naturally the psychological impact of examination on the mind of our students is extremely damaging.
Doesn’t focus on originality: A ‘good show’ by a student in his paper may fetch him good marks in the examination. But that does not establish the student’s original or genuine quality or ability.
Speculation: According to the system, an examination is more or less like ‘speculation’ in the share market. Students cram up solved answers to certain expected questions just a week before the examination. If by the bounty of their fortune the same questions are set in the paper, they are to be declared ‘successful’ or else they are to try their luck once again with the same speculating tendency.
The best student doesn’t always fetch the top rank in exams: It is often seen that some of the best students, who have put in sincere and honest efforts in connection with their studies throughout the year, fail to get success in the examination while the fullest and most undeserving wards, who do not pout in any sincere application to their studies come out with flying colors in the examination.
Less scope for creativity: Examination in India, in particular, has no regard for developing the creative side of our students’ career. No attention is paid to the display of individual initiative on the part of the candidate. As a matter of fact such a system of examination is more harmful to our younger generation than beneficial.
If education aims at the cultivation of the mind and the body and the inherent faculties of the young people, there need be no examinati0on, apart from what the teacher reports about each individual.
Crowded atmosphere of examination hall: In most of the Indian cities, an examination hall does not provide congenial atmosphere. It is a crowded place.
Conclusion
We must do away with the drawbacks of the examination system. We should give it entirely a new orientation.
Teachers and impartial observers submit their opinion about students concerned. Not only their academic application but also their external activities are weighed upon before they are awarded success. Let us also make an experiment with this system so as to evolve a creative educational standard among our rising generation.