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 don't think that they are necessary, but I think that if you are struggling in a class, you should have to take them. For example, if I would have a B in a class, and I failed the test, I would still pass the class. I think that the semester projects would be a better thing to do, because not all students test well. With the projects, people would probably get a better grade than if they took a test.
I agree, I think that they should only be for those who are struggling or need it to pass.
I don't think that semester tests are necessary. I think that the finals should only be for students who are struggling with their classes. I don't really see a need for finals if you have above a B in a certain class. I don't think that semester tests should have a very big impact on a students grade.
I agree with you. Those who already have a good grade, don't need to test their knowledge or anything.
In my personal opinion, I do not think that semester test are necessary for every single student to take. I think that if a student is passing a class with anything above a B, they should not have to take a semester test. In most cases if the student has a grade above a B, they would still pass the class even if they got a zero percent on the test. So it is effectively useless.
That is a really good solution. You make a really good point! Those who already have a good great shouldn't really have to take the test in the first place.
I think that semester test are not necessary because many people have good grades and gonna do fine on the semester test so why even have them. I think having semester projects would be way better then test. i think that a semester test shoudl impact a students grade like 10%.
I agree, I don' think that these tests should be so impactful on our grade. I think that 10% is really the sweet spot for how impactful the test should be.
I can see why teachers want to do a semester test, but I personally do not see the point of them. If we are going to have semester test I think they should not be worth so much of your grade. I do not think it is reasonable for one test to be worth as much or more than a whole quater of school.
I agree, I was thinking that they could be worth around 5%-10% of our grade just because we put so much hard work all year, and it can all be determined by 1 big test.
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