[img]2012q1/ct_etoefm_etoefspeaka_2004_20121[/img] [originaltext]Amanda Well, J

Amanda  Well, Johnson, do you feel the stress of examinations? I am really doubting the positive effects of them. Can examinations tell a person’s true ability and aptitude when they are working under pressure? I just doubt the function of exams and I wish examinations would be done away with.
Johnson  No, Amanda, I don’t think so. Through the preparation for an exam, we students can comprehend better the knowledge we have acquired in class. And the result of an exam can tell us what we need to spend more time studying, and thus motivate us to work harder. Anyhow, the examination is an effective means of deciding whether a student masters a subject or not.
Amanda  That’s not true. As the examination score is the only measurement of a student’s academic performance, a student is driven to memorize mechanically rather than think creatively. So examinations do not motivate us, but only induce cramming during the exam week.
Johnson  But at least, the examination can help a teacher to know what his students have mastered or failed to understand. The teacher can find out what points he has missed in his lectures, and then he can work to improve his teaching.
Amanda  Quite the contrary. Since teachers themselves are often judged by examination results, which have a great impact on their pay raise and promotion, they are reduced to training their students in exam techniques, instead of teaching their subjects.  Johnson  I still think examinations are quite necessary, maybe just in need of reform.