At the end of each semester, students are required to take a big assessment for each class to show what they have learned and whether or not they are proficient. These tests usually have a big impact on the student’s grade. Studies have shown that these tests stress out students AND teachers, especially at the end of the year. But are these tests really necessary and beneficial for the student’s future?
Big impactful tests like these can be very beneficial to students. In an article, Chicago Tribune, it states, “if we didn’t have exams that accounted for large percentages of our grades, students would no longer have the opportunity to drastically change how they do at the end of the semester”. This could support both sides of the argument. Some students, with a lower grade, might be very thankful for these tests so then they have the opportunity to bump their grades back up. However, some students with high grades may not like these tests because they are afraid that it will lower their grade. So should these tests be less impactful on students’ grades?
Semester tests can cause a lot of stress on students. Students have to spend hours upon hours studying for these tests. Not because they don’t know the information, but because there is so much information all packed into one test. The studying part can be stressful, but also just taking the tests. Most of these tests are very long in length or just very time consuming. Not just students, but teachers too. Teachers have to prepare all of the study guides and usually make these long tests. People and students can’t forget that teachers put in a lot of effort into their job into making sure all students have a chance to be successful in life and giving students as many opportunities as possible. And the better you do on these tests, the more opportunities you will have.
Would it be better if we replaced semester tests with semester projects? Projects can be less stressful and can be worked on over time, not in a small period of time. However, some people, like myself, are not very creative. Many classes do choose to do projects instead, however, most classes just stick to tests, especially the core classes. So this could really go both ways. Or like Bruns' classes, maybe semester tests could be group tests. Making it less stressful, but still a test. Personally, I really like having group tests, not to rely on my classmates, but to be less stressed. A flaw could be a student slacking, but maybe their could be rules applied. Maybe if a student is slacking, they are kicked out of the group tests. There are many other alternative options than just big impactful semester tests.
In my opinion, I think that semester tests are necessary and beneficial for a student’s future. Though it may be very stressful, I think that it is very important for the student. However, I believe that these semester tests shouldn’t impact our grades so much. I usually have a really good grade in all classes, but when I take semester tests, my grade always happens to go down. Usually because it is really hard to get a 100% on these tests.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2010-01-14-1001150311-story.html
https://seamannews.com/25481/opinion/are-finals-necessary/
Are semester tests necessary?
Would it be better to have semester projects?
How much should semester tests impact a students’ grade?
Replies
I agree with you, but we put in all this work for one test, and some people know the information but are just not good test takers. Whether it's nerves, or simply not good at it. I just think there should be better ways to test our knowledge.
I thinkl that semester tests are not necessary becuase they are just keeping us longer to take tests and it's in our summer. There are people that want to go on trips but they can't because we are stuck taking tests.
I still think that the test taking is part of our school, because we have a required amount of hours for school, and semester test days are part of those hours.
I think that semester tests are a good way to show the school and yourself what you learned and understand. It also gives the teachers an idea of which classes the student is proficient in. I think that semester projects wouldn't be a good idea. I'd rather take tests than do projects for each class.
Personally, I would rather have projects. I think that it would help with nerves.
I think that semester tests are a good way to show to the teacher what you have learned over the semeseter. I think it would be better to have semester projects because you can create something with the knowledge you have rather than putting it down on a piece of paper.
I agree with you, I prefer projects. The only problem is that I am not very artistic.
I think that semester tests aren't necessary because it's just a big test just to see if you are able to go up a grade but I think that the worksheets/test that we do in classes and not during the semester test think it can prove enough. I think it might be better if we do a project instead of a test because it's easier and students will be able to do it and not stress out. I think that it shouldn't impact because I think that semester test are worthless.
Ya I can see that, having one big tests decide whether we can move on and just push everyting we did all year to the side.
I think that they are only somewhat benificial. I think that they are good so teachers can see what we all learned and remember from out the school year, but i think projects aree better. projects can detirmine how well you know everything wihtout having the stress of test week.
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
of 14 Next