Brainstorming:
Topic: Exams put unnecessary pressure on young learners and tell very
little about their actual ability.
Agree point:
Exam pressure - mental stress, anxiety.
Memorization > understanding.
Ignores creativity, intelligence, and practical skills.
Alternative assessments: project work, presentations, continuous
evaluation.
Counterpoint:
Exams teach discipline and time management.
Motivates students to study regularly.
Outline:
1. Introduction:
Introduce the topic of exams and their traditional role in education and
Present Thesis Statement: Exams create unnecessary pressure, fail to
reflect true abilities, and need better alternatives.
2. Reason 1: Pressure on Young Learners
Supporting point:
a. Mental health issues: stress, anxiety, fear of failure.
b. Pressure from parents, schools, and society.
c. Example: students getting physically ill before exams.
3. Reason 2: Limited Assessment of True Ability
Supporting point:
a. Focus on rote memorization, not critical thinking.
b. Ignores creativity, intelligence, problem-solving.
c. Example: Talented students in art/music struggling in exams.
4. Reason 3: Alternatives and a Balanced Approach
Supporting point:
a. Project-based assessments, presentations, group work.
b. Continuous assessment gives a more holistic view.
c. Exams shouldn’t be the only way to measure ability.
5. Counter Argument:
Counterpoint:
a. Exams teach discipline and time management.
b. Motivates students to study regularly.
Rebuttal:
a. Discipline can be developed through regular tasks and feedback.
b. Pressure-free methods also build responsibility.
6. Conclusion:
Restate thesis. Call for a more balanced and student-friendly assessment
system.
Essay:
Exams put unnecessary pressure on young learners and tell very
little about their actual ability.
Examinations have long been a key part of educational systems around
the world. They are used to test knowledge, measure progress, and rank
students. But in recent years, a growing concern has emerged: whether
exams truly reflect a student’s abilities or encourages unhealthy
competition that simply creates harmful pressure. I strongly agree with
the idea that exams often put unnecessary pressure on young learners,
reveal very little about their abilities, and need better alternatives as
exams shouldn’t be the only way to measure ability.
First and foremost, exams often lead to immense psychological pressure.
The fear of failure, parental expectations leads to anxiety, stress and
depression among students. In extreme cases, the stress becomes so
unbearable that some students even take drastic steps like self-harm or
suicide. Clearly, the pressure created by exams can be more damaging
than beneficial.
Moreover, exams tend to reward rote memorization rather than
understanding. Students are encouraged to memorize facts and formulas
rather than apply knowledge creatively or critically. This means many
brilliant learners who may be excellent at practical thinking,
communication, creating, or working in groups often fail to shine in
traditional exams. As a result, exams ignore many important areas of
human intelligence and skill.
Another reason exams should not be the only way to judge students is
that there are better and fairer alternatives. Project work, presentations,
and group activities help students show their understanding in creative
ways. Continuous assessment, like classwork and small tests, gives a
fuller picture of progress. So, exams can be one part of the system, but we
need a more balanced and student-friendly approach.
Some people think exams are helpful because they teach students
discipline and time management. Exams also push students to study
regularly and stay focused. Without exams, some students might become
careless about their studies. So, exams can help build good habits and
prepare students for future challenges. But even if these points are true,
they don’t fully make up for the stress and pressure that exams often
create. Discipline and focus can also be built through classwork, group
projects, and regular feedback—without fear or anxiety. That’s why it’s
better to have a balanced system that uses both exams and other ways to
judge students fairly and kindly.
In conclusion, exams may serve a purpose, but they should not be the
main tool to measure a student’s ability, and create more harm to them.
Education should be about learning, growing, and discovering one's
strengths – not about stress and fear. Learner-friendly assessment
methods would give a much better and more complete picture of what a
student can truly do.
