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, it is hard to remember things that were a long time ago.
I dont feel that hey are neccesary personally. I feel that we test enough as it is. Also its difficult to remember everything from the whole semester. These tests stress alot of people out. Good topic.
Thank you, and I can agree with you, we test all year and we have this on top of everything. What if we just didn't have any kinda tests but then had this big on at the end of the year? How would that go?
I think the test are helpful for the teachers so they know if they should teach a topic longer or if they dont need to teach it as much. i dont really mind them but i dont like them either. they make a lot of students stress and crabby and i would rather have a big project instead
I get stressed out a lot for semester and finals tests. I study a lot the night before, however, I do think that they are beneficial.
Yes, I do think that semester tests are necessary. They show your teachers your knowledge and what classes you are ready to take the following semester. I think that semester projects would not be good because they do not show what you know and students most likely will cheat.
I can understand that, but how would a student cheat on a project? Wouldn't the teacher just be able to tell if projects were similar?
I think semester tests are necessary to show your teachers what you learned that semester. I don't think that it would be good to do a project for every class, because one, that would be a lot of projects, and two, most kids wouldn't do the projects.
That's a really good point, but are tests really the answer? There has to be another way to show efficiency.
I do think that semester tests are necessary because the show what we have learned throughout the semester. They also prepare us for higher education. Semester tests might seem big now, but they are the size of a pretty average test in college. They aren't fun while we are taking them, but they do help us in the long run.
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