Sometimes, I really feel that there's no point in them. When we take a test, we only have to memorize the information for a short while, just long enough to take the test. We can look over it just before the test, or the night before and still get a 100. It doesn't really measure your knowledge. I mean, I get 100s on a lot of tests because all I have to do is memorize, but it's pretty pointless. You barely have to know any concepts, because you just go over everything in class.
The way school and tests are is good for me because I have a good short-term memory, but I still don't really like tests.
2007-01-23 08:58:12 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Standards & Testing
That may be true, but how else are you to be evaluated? The point of a class is, after all, to learn the material. It wouldn't be worth anything to evaluate people on the basis of effort alone, because, at the end of the day, who cares how much effort you put into it?
Now, that's not really true of course - people do care how much effort you put into it. But the material is important too, and why would you put in effort if you're not tested on the material anyway? The fact is, that if people are not being tested on something, they won't bother to learn it - they won't put the effort in. It's a sad but true reality.
The other thing about tests, is that they are generally cumulative. You are tested not only on this particular set of material, but also much of what came before. You may not know it, but you are. When you are being tested on multiplication, you are also indirectly being tested on addition. And that kind of repetition is truly the best way to learn.
So, tests may not be perfect, but they are better than anything else that has been tried.
2007-01-23 09:05:50 · answer #1 · answered by Gary B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with you. Just because some kids can get 100s on tests doesn't make them smart - and I hate it that people treat them like they're super super smart because they can memorize a textbook. I don't think tests are very good at all. but of course you need some sort of evaluation - they shouldn't give you time to study and see how people do then!!
2007-01-23 09:59:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good test is not about memorization. It SHOULD address your ability to use what you learned and interrelate it to other things.
I agree - which is why I feel essay tests are the best. If you have to actually discuss the material, the teacher can see if you really learned what you need to know.
My pet peeve is tests (like board exams) that are written by people outside the area.
2007-01-23 09:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Written tests may not always be a fool-proof way of measuring someone's knowledge.
2007-01-24 21:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by genie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
xsfd
2007-01-30 12:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by t man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋