IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

Task 2: The advantages and disadvantages of examinations

by Sohaib

Tests and examinations are a central feature of school systems in many countries.

Do you think the educational benefits of testing outweigh any disadvantages.

Give reasons for your answer.

(Grammar corrections are in this version):


It is a common practice for many schools and colleges to assess their student's knowledge through different exams and tests. Whether this method has more benefits than drawbacks is debatable; I believe that examination(s) provide several educational benefits.

To begin with, one of the main advantages of examination(s) is that it is (they are) an easy tool to regularly assess a student's capability. Exams help a lot to bring an improvement in the individual's knowledge because they provide regular feedback to the students who acknowledge their shortcomings and work on them.

Another advantage is that exams promote competition among students. They work harder to improve their knowledge and skills. In this way they learn more. Also, exams are an excellent tools to determine the efficacy of teaching methods because teachers get an opportunity to monitor and evaluate their teaching stategies according to their student's progress. (make sure each paragraph has a central topic – your topic sentence says you will discuss ‘competition among students’, but then you go on to talk about teachers monitoring and evaluation).

On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks of exams. Firstly, they have a poor predictive quality because they only judge a student's ability under set conditions and limited time. Many a times a student who is otherwise good may get anxious or confuse(d) under strict exam conditions and may not perform up to the mark.

Secondly, many exams encourage teaching to the test practice. This is to say, teaching a fixed curriculum focussed (focused) on passing a specific exam. This method limits the curriculum to a set range of knowledge and skills. Obviously suc(h) practice does not provide much many educational benefits.

However, if some improvements are made to remove the above mentioned drawbacks, exams certainly provide many educational advantages. Therefore, I believe that the benefits of exams far outweigh its their drawbacks.

======================

I want to know which side (advantages or disadvantages) should I mention first? If I’m in favour of exams, should I mention the drawbacks first to make my essay persuasive. I did not do it here because it appeared that if I mentioned the drawbacks right after finishing the last line of my first paragraph (I believe that exams provide several educational benefits), the essay will lose coherence. Am i right in thinking so? many thanks

To be honest I don’t think it will matter too much in a short essay of this type because the main focus is on whether you have answered the question, your coherence, your grammar and your lexis.

However, yes, if you are writing an essay to persuade someone of your opinion, then it can be better to put the other person’s side first, and then explain your side.

This means the reader will be left having read your side last so it is more persuasive, and it gives you the chance to say why you disagree with any of the other side’s view points.

But as you say, general coherence is more important than this so you were right to put the advantages first, given the thesis you had written, otherwise it would have looked disjointed.

To avoid this and write about the drawbacks first, you could have just put your opinion in the conclusion and had a different thesis that mentioned there are two sides to the issue.

Overall, though, you have written a very good answer. Few grammar errors (careful with ‘s’), you have fully answered the question, good lexis, and an opinion that remains consistent.

Make sure each paragraph has one central theme, or a topic sentence that ties in all the themes if they are different:

Another advantage is that exams promote competition among students. They work harder to improve their knowledge and skills. In this way they learn more.

In this one it would have benefited from more explanation rather than going on to another idea that seemed unrelated (given your topic sentence).

Hope that help,

Thanks
IELTS buddy

Comments for Task 2: The advantages and disadvantages of examinations

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 11, 2012
for against
by: Noor Omar

thnx..... :)

Apr 27, 2013
comment
by: Anonymous

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Jun 27, 2013
great job
by: Anonymous

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Aug 23, 2013
appreciation
by: Anonymous

It was quite good website on which I got what wanted

Sep 25, 2013
Exam D's nd Ad's
by: Jale Koroivueta

EXAMINATIONS or Test enhance learning.They are conducted to inform and improve learning and also it provides teachers with students background and learning styles to assess and see how learning could be lifted.

Examinations should be formative in order to be effective.eg. scheme drawing,quizzes,exploration for science class.Because students learn in different ways examinations can be also modified from the traditional paper- pen style to modern computer or hands-on method.

Nov 13, 2013
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Nov 17, 2013
against
by: Anonymous

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Dec 01, 2013
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Apr 21, 2014
nice
by: shagufta

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May 21, 2014
critical thinker
by: veera

Hi

This is Veera
I would like to know more about limitations of oral and written examinations .
I read the essay it is written with critical thinking .

Oct 22, 2014
advantages
by: Anonymous

As to me advantages of exams outweigh its disadvantages. Examining or assessing students learning is part of instruction. Results of exams give information about students learning to parents, teachers and students themselves, so that strengths will be maintained and weakness will be corrected on time.

Nov 10, 2014
Not bad....
by: Anonymous

I hate exams. But when I work hard I score better marks ...

Nov 12, 2014
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Dec 09, 2014
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Jan 04, 2015
Not bad
by: Anonymous

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Feb 01, 2015
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by: christina

Thank u soooooo much it really helped me a lot to complete my school homework.

Feb 04, 2015
thanks
by: Gayani

it really helped with my work a lot thank you soo much. good luck:)

Feb 23, 2015
advantages of examinations
by: richard

ARE EXAMINATIONS A FAIR MEANS OF ASSESSING ABILITY or are they not

Apr 23, 2015
appreciateable essay - Task 2: The advantages and disadvantages of examinations
by: shubham kumar (sk)

this helps me lots in my essay writing in favour of examinations. I also asked my friends to open this site for their essays.

May 19, 2015
advantages of the statement
by: Daliso T Mumba

Exams help a learner know how well and how that person can improve in that perticular subject or skill.

Jun 20, 2015
suggestion
by: pratyush

It would b better if u publish the main points in highlights or italics.

Sep 01, 2015
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Sep 13, 2015
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Sep 30, 2015
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Oct 02, 2015
examination
by: ANYONYMS

it is true that examination should take b'coz if exams will held then only students will try to take seriousness on study otherwise they will feels the study a joke..they will never understand the importance of study...............good work IELTS...keep try to encourage children.................advantage of examination . i was very happy after reading such a good essay ....good work love the essay...................

-ANYONYMS

Oct 03, 2015
importance of exams
by: suhani shergill

Life in itself is a big examination. At every footstep we have to face certain tests. The success is always marked with dignity and honor in all the examinations of life. Examinations add to our abil­ity, power of toleration, perseverance and other good quali­ties. I think that examination is not only necessary but it is also a blessing.

Oct 09, 2015
With
by: Ilyana

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Oct 10, 2015
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Nov 02, 2015
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Nov 08, 2015
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Nov 26, 2015
My opinion
by: Fajar Aabid Niazi

Exams do not define the ability of a person. They might be important for some, but they pressure others so much that some even attempt suicide! Studies are one part of a lifetime so many other parts to look at, and if someone ends their life because of it then it's really ridiculous, I am against for sure.

Feb 08, 2016
awesome - The advantages and disadvantages of examinations
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Feb 23, 2016
opion
by: Anonymous

I got a help in my oral this is good

Apr 04, 2016
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Apr 04, 2016
haha
by: sujal

i was very happy

May 17, 2016
EXAMS
by: MEZSEIL

The worst side of exams is noticed only when one is in position to face them but when after all are over, the rest is just talk. Only graduates tell the benefits but really books and exams make the heaviest bag which chocks its carrier. thx

Jun 14, 2016
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by: Anonymous

Appreciable
Task -2
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Jul 04, 2016
good one
by: Anonymous

Thanks a lot. It helped me in my examinations 😜

Jul 19, 2016
excellent
by: Pradhyumna patidar

It was a good written briefing, it helped me to learn the importance of conducting exams

Aug 19, 2016
Good
by: Shivam

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Sep 29, 2016
Average
by: Anonymous

Could have been better

Sep 30, 2016
exam
by: Anonymous

Exams are important

Oct 01, 2016
let me see
by: Anonymous

let me see who would be answering me... my question is do exams seriously judge our ability people sometimes suicide just because they do not get good marks according to me I think that this is very unfair and injust... what do u think????

Oct 16, 2016
good
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it was good and it helped me in doing my homework thanks

Oct 31, 2016
Advantages & disadvantages of objectives tests
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Now, may I have the advantages and disadvantages of objectives tests? Thanks.

Dec 30, 2016
NICE
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Jan 14, 2017
this
by: Anonymous

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Mar 07, 2017
examination
by: Felix

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Apr 02, 2017
Great
by: Adeleena

This helps me for oral test

Aug 18, 2017
The advantages and disadvantages of examinations essay
by: Sanu

Very helpful thanks so much.

Oct 16, 2017
Exam is a good way
by: Thu Zar

I think, holding exam is the best way to determine the qualification of students.

Oct 17, 2017
Advantages and disadvantages
by: Anonymous

Exams are not judging tools. It fails to bring out the inner ability of students. Sometimes the physical conditions also have impact on the performance of students.

Oct 30, 2017
exam
by: Anonymous

Thank you because you have helped me to understand why exams are necessary.

Feb 07, 2018
helped
by: alpa

the written part was good

Apr 16, 2018
good
by: Anonymous

helpful

Nov 25, 2019
This essay
by: Anonymous

Good:)

Jan 19, 2020
Thanks so much for this clue
by: Vikkyvesh

I love this clue, thank you

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