Examinations/Assessments/Offbeat Assessment Methods

Assessments are a means of formative and constructive feedback which help in nurturing talents. The quality of feedback a student receives after an assessment can positively impact the ongoing learning. 

Examinations keep students productively engaged with their subjects, enhancing their skills and knowledge. They not only help improve academic performance but also teach problem-solving strategies and build confidence to face real-world challenges.

The purpose of examinations should go beyond merely scoring grades and marks, emphasizing “Comprehension over Competition.” If the students are able to comprehend the questions better, the understanding levels of the student will be reflected in the answers which helps the teacher to upgrade the teaching learning process accordingly.

Assessment methods like session examinations are highly effective in evaluating students’ retention of topics taught in class. This approach allows the teacher to begin with a 20-minute recap of the topic, followed by an hour or two for students to independently review the lesson. This is followed by an immediate examination on the same topic,enabling students to self-assess, review and reflect only to enhance their skills of learning.

One of the major challenges students face in their learning process is effectively answering questions. Most of them know the topic well but are unable to articulate and answer the question as expected. Exercises like – ‘Give Me the Questions’, when used as an assessment method come in handy in such situations, where the teacher asks the students to prepare the questions from the paragraph in the textbook.Here, students are empowered to frame their own questions based on content that already has answers. This approach boosts their confidence in crafting responses and ensures they fully address the questions asked.

In today’s competitive world, examinations require in-depth knowledge of concepts. One effective way to prepare students is through multiple-choice questions (MCQs). While the art of elimination helps students answer many MCQs correctly, it is not enough. To enhance retention, the options in MCQs should encourage critical thinking and help students connect the dots between topics. Ideally, the options should include more than one correct answer, allowing students to apply their comprehension and understanding while choosing the correct responses.

And who said that the question paper should always be prepared by the teachers? What if, instead, students had the opportunity to pose the questions themselves? Imagine how this could ignite their creative minds, sparking a competitive spirit while encouraging them to scan the content to come up with  the best questions. To do so, they’d have to thoroughly understand the concept, reading and reflecting deeply. Isn’t it time we empowered students to not only answer questions, but to ask them, fostering a deeper connection with their learning?

By adopting this  multifaceted assessment approach ,we can pave the way for an equitable, empowering, and inclusive education system that nurtures the potential of every learner,prioritizing holistic development by laying the foundation for a brighter future for generations to come.

Sanchitha D S

Social Science Department

National Public School – EET