Examining Exams

Acquiring Knowledge through Education is an indispensable part of a student’s life.  But how do we assess our level of learning? Exams Of course! But, what if the examination system itself is flawed? In today’s dynamic world where methodologies of learning are changing constantly, the examination system needs a complete overhaul.

The stagnant Indian exam system assesses a theoretical  and redundant  syllabus which does  not serve any useful purpose in ‘real life’.  The obsolete theories need to be replaced by relevant content preparing the students for future adaptability in tandem with global education. The exams should be predominantly practical assessment with minimum theoretical questions, because, after all, it’s how well we’re able to apply what we’re learning that matters.  

The real world is not compartmentalized into subjects. Hence education system should have subjects which are interlinked. So should the exams be.

What good are exams if they do not help in identifying a student’s true potential? Indian Examination System tests how much a student can cram into their heads and how much they retain. Then, what exactly is the difference between a memory test and an exam? A lot of brilliant students do not fare well in exams, because they are brilliant in application of what they have learnt. On the contrary, a lot of students who do very well in exams actually will not be able to put whatever they’ve written into practice. They’ve just mugged it up word by word for the exam.

 How many students actually understand what they’re reading? How many of them will be able to put this so-called knowledge into practice? How many students hailed as ‘toppers’ actually know the subject in depth? These are questions that need to be answered and with these answers will the inherent flaws in the Indian education system be exposed.

Our Examining System produces a huge volume of  unemployable graduates whose memory power has been tested but who have not been taught to question.  The Indian Education System stifles curiosity. Without curiosity, nothing that is there today would have been. 

A true seeker of knowledge asks ‘Why ‘  and ‘Why not’?    

Our academicians and educationists need to model exams that will identify the student’s true potential instead of creating memory machines out of students.