Examinations are of course a very valid test of what we study and understand but, they are a nightmare for us, the children. This is the name given to the method of assessing by the teachers as to what has been the net result of what they have taught us in the month or the year.
By this method, the teachers analyse which children have understood the subject and to what extent the knowledge imparted has been assimilated. So much is of course absolutely justified for, if we do any work the result of the effort put in, must be adjudged by the authorities, from time to time.
The question that next arises is that, when we realise that the process of examinations is quite right and justified then, why do we get upset on the eve of the examination the reasons for this are not far to seek. Children get upset at the outset of examinations for two reasons that are very obvious. The first reason is that, most of us children do not study regularly.
When the studies are to be taken up at the last moment they are a great burden. Obviously it is not possible for any one of us to learn in one day what we were supposed to learn in the process of one month or so. Thus, whatever we learn at the nick of time has to become irksome and thus the nervousness. When the time is short, it is imperative that, the quality of the work goes down.
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The second reason for the nervousness of the children at the very name of exams is that, the exams become the measurement of our capacities, and we get categorised as good or bad students. This also brings in us a feeling of acute nervousness. This nervousness, in turn results in bad work and bad results. These bad results bring in the children a fear of being branded as useless and thus the fear of the dreaded ogre, the examinations.
The very name of examinations brings in children awe. This is because when we had the time we were too playful, and never cared to ask the teacher what we did not understand.
Thus behind our brains, there is a huge backlog of things not done and not understood. Thus, when the exams are ahead, the students do not know what to leave and what to do, which again contributes further to the nervousness.
When the exams are round the corner and we sit to study there is then a clear picture of all that we have not done and all that we do not understand. On top of it all it is too late to ask anyone, the teacher or friends.
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This situation lands the student in a state of shock and he finds it difficult to cope with. In this position when we have not worked daily and postponed efforts, we have reached a point of no solution to our problems, and the result is a fear of the nightmare – the exams.
There have often been several discussions and debates on this very system of examinations but no feasible solution or alternative to the system has yet been found. The necessity of exams cannot be overlooked but, to make them less frightening for the children is the problem to be considered.
What I feel is that, since exams are a must, we are the ones who can save ourselves of all the nervousness it entails this we can do only if we study regularly through the year, and, what we do not understand, should not be just brushed aside but, clarified from the teacher. This will reduce the burden and also give us confidence in the face of an exam.
Once we have the necessary confidence, we will obviously not be nervous. Thus the solution to the problem is not the dispensing of the system of exams but it lies within us. Regular work and continued effort will make exams a pleasure and not a snare. I think, till people who matter are able to evolve some other method of assessing our capacities, the solution lies in hard work and steady work, for steady work always results in steady success.