Should examinations should be abolished ?

Examinations, as we know it, have emerged to be the main theme of modern education in the ever-changing landscape of academia. In an education infrastructure that is as unpredictable as the clouds, it is somewhat ironic that the system of examinations as a means of judging a student's ability has prevailed through the years. Every person, in their quest for knowledge, would inevitably encounter numerous modes of examinations through the course of their academic journey. As much importance has been attached to it in virtually every academic institutions across the globe, the voices of those who lobby for its eradication are seldom heard, let alone be considered seriously. There are various reasons for policymakers to initiate a re-think of the much-vaunted examination system. In my opinion, it is time for us to abolish this system which has come under fire from multiple sources.

As it is, examinations are timed written or oral assessments held at the end of an academic term.

Students taking a test at the University of Vienna...

exam test

exam tactics

It serves to asses a student's knowledge and comprehension of all the subjects he has studied over the course of the term. Rather than tracking a student's progress over the course of the term, it judges his/her ability over a handful of written or oral pieces. This is obviously not an accurate indication of one's progress. Take for example the case of an intelligent and dexterous student who never fails to impress in his daily homework and assignments, but failed miserably when it came to the examinations, due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of his influence. These so-called "unforeseen circumstances" might be familial problems that have plunged the pupil into a deep mire of depression. Is it not unfair, then, to tag him as a 'failure' and, more crassly, a 'dim-witted' learner? As the rigid examination system goes,