Some people think that
examinations have some bad effects on students. Some people say they do a good
job in the evaluation of the students' performance. Discuss both sides and give
your opinion.



In the long history of human education, great changes have taken place
in every field of study. However, testing a person by examinations is still
regarded as the only reliable and feasible method to measure one's knowledge
and ability. From elementary schools to universities, students have to take
many examinations. They even regard examinations as an indispensable part of
their life.



Some
people hold that examinations have negative impacts on students. First of all,
examinations are unable to evaluate one's true ability. They can only test
memory or the skill of working rapidly under pressure. Secondly, examinations
encourage bad study habits. Students tend to lay emphasis on what will be
tested. They are encouraged to memorize rather than to think. Finally,
examinations lower the standards of teaching. Teachers have to train students
in exam techniques instead of teaching their subjects.



Many
other people, however, believe examinations have some advantages. In the first
place, they serve as a driving force to stimulate students to work hard.
Laziness is part of human nature. Without examinations, students tend to ignore
their studies. Moreover, the results of examinations are just like mirrors for
both students and teachers. Students can assess themselves and teachers can
adjust their teaching method according to the information they obtain from
examination. Finally, till now no better methods have been discovered to
replace examinations. Other forms of assessment are too time-consuming and
therefore are infeasible.



In
my opinion, examinations have positive effects on teaching. They make students
hard-working. They also provide a clear objective standard by which the
students can assess themselves and teachers can know what they should do next.
Furthermore, at present no better methods are available. Therefore, I am sure
examinations will continue to play an essential role in education.