Do you think final exams should be given?

Question

I'm a college student, and I feel that final exams don't help me to learn or retain information. Instead, I get extremely stressed, and often forget a lot of the material no matter how hard I study. Some of my professors agree that final exams (over ALL the semester's material) are not worth it and don't help students. One professor even told us that studies have shown that a year after a final exam, students only remember 7% of what they were taught. Does anyone agree that final exams are not helpful in the learning process? (Final exams that are over ALL course material, not final exams that just cover the last section gone over).

I am only referring to cumulative finals. Many of my professors don't test over the semester's material, but just the last section gone over. The cumulative ones are just too much to handle in one week when you have other cumulative exams.

Answer 1

I personally feel like finals are pointless. Like you said, they only make me more stressed...

Besides, finals are just like review. You already learned it once...and got tested on the topics before...it doesn't feel very helpful to me.

Answer 2

I think they're somewhat important because they make students think about what they've learned all semester when they go over their notes again, but I think they should be a lot shorter and a lot less stressful. Maybe there should be only open-book final exams; that way, students have to go over the material again, but they don't have to memorize a set of facts that don't hold meaning for them. I have a final exam tomorrow that is worth 70% of my grade, and I think that to place that much value on a test is ridiculous. So, in short, I feel your pain. :) Good luck on all of yours.

Answer 3

I agree with you 100%. I'm a college student as well (first year!) and it is really stressful trying to finish essays while trying to find time to cram in study time. Most professors at my college feel the same thing, but some think it's a good idea to know how much you got out of the class. Good luck to you on your exams!

Answer 4

Of course.

It's part of the process as a whole. It has nothing to do with you learning at this point, it has to do with you showing what you've learned.

It's your job to retain the information afterward not the profs. The final exam is a simply a marker of your ability to learn. Stop panicking. If you know the material, there is no reason to panic. Just prove it.

...why are you supposed to be studying right now? hmmm?

Answer 5

I dont mind have a last test, but i think that cumulative exams SUCK! I am a college student too, and all I am doing right now is stressing out, not learning, just stressing. they test us all semester, they should go off of that.....

Answer 6

It seems that having regular examinations given over the course of the term would be a better indicator of what you are absorbing rather than one big monster test.

Better yet, would be to write a paper or an essay on what you've learned.

I feel for you! Good luck on your exams!:-)

Answer 7

I agree with you...I took my Neuro final and it was everything from day one...plus i had other 3 finals...and Neuro took more time out of me, gave me headaches and i was behind the other 3 subjects...and towards the end...ask me now...if i remember anything...i hate accumulative test.

Answer 8

I agree with you 100%. More material is retained with practical use than with stressed out cramming.

Answer 9

I think they're an excellent way to discover how much is retained of the lessons taught, and also an excellent way to discover who can and can't do their own work.

Answer 10

All of the exams don't make the students to learn, don't worry..But we have to pass them..Our destiny..