The importance of quizzes and exams
Jul
08
It is human nature to fear the unknown. For this reason, many students at times, even good students fear quizzes and exams. They do not know what will be asked and how they will perform. It is the aspect of the unknown, therefore, which makes quizzes and exams frightening.
After imparting the required amount odf instruction or knowledge to students, a teacher needs a way of measuring or determining how far students have absorbed the instruction. This is mainly through quizzes, test and periodic exam.
Most students primary concern is getting passing grades, so they aim at acquiring only the minimum information just to pass. But since nothing less than enough absorption of the subject can merit passing marks, almost all, if not all, students are scared of quizzes, test, exams because they feel they have not absorbed what is enough.
Teachers explain to students why they need to conduct quizzes, test and exams and students understand the reason. But understanding the reason does not necessarily improve their attitudes towards studying and so does not take the fright away. Students still shiver at the thought of an exam. And despote the threat they already feel inside, students procrastinate and wait till the very last day to cram.