Sorry I haven't contributed much content lately, I will be regularly updating this blog every Friday and as and when I feel something needs to be said. :-)
So, I've just finished my exams at University (huge relief) but exams got me questioning everything, like literally everything. My main question was, 'what is the point?'
Yes exams are great for getting into College, University and further education but what about work? Say for example, I get a low score in one module because my one exam was structured in a way the real working world wouldn't ask a single point about. That one exam would affect my whole job application process without a company even being able to know exactly who I am and what my personality is like.
That one grade apparently defined how my brain thinks at the time, emphasis, at the time. I'll be growing up at University; physically and mentally, therefore I feel like mistakes should happen and be learnt from, not condemned to your CV for life.
This isn't a biased view because I've faired well through my exams with rewarding grades leading me to great opportunities, but I also feel like the work I put in wasn't really worth it. I mean, when we're talking about exams and practise, how many times have you asked your lecturer/teacher, 'what questions can we expect on the exam?'. Then they give you a brief idea and a couple of past papers... doesn't that defeat the object of an exam??? You then think tactically about what to revise, making these colourful mind maps and notes with expensive organising crap from Rymans all to discover on the day of your exam, that you can't remember word for word how to answer that question you saw on one of the papers you'd seen previously (except it was worded differently).
What I'm trying to say is that the concept of exams is debatable towards the benefits of that person. All that revision for one exam which most students will forget after the exam anyway.
My lecturer was talking about this the other day and about his days at University. He explained how much more harder it was but also how much deeper understanding was needed in order to get across views and interpretation. This kind of exam makes much more sense and exerts the essence of University, not just how well you can remember specific detail to gain 5 marks for 10 exact points coming from a lecturers mouth taught to you 2 months ago. He also mentioned that making A1 size posters and colourful presentations was a bit pointless seeing as the real world isn't just about that. (Unless you're applying for the Apprentice that is. You know how many crappy pitches those guys have to make and look like idiots in the process.)
Don't get me wrong I love University and the freedom I have to learn at my own pace, but a message to exam boards and to the writers of examination papers: bring it back to the original setting and promise of University. The modern world needs some experience from the past.
What're your thoughts on exams?
Bye! :-)
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