Why do exams suck? You have 90 minutes. Your time starts now!

May 21, 2009
By Duncan Robinson

Imagine the situation: you’ve just started a cushy graduate job and your new boss marches in: “Right. I want a report on the results from the last quarter. I want it in three hours, done from memory, and written by hand on that wobbly single person table over there.” Not going to happen, is it? Yet exams are still around – and like the proverbial hula-hoop – will be a-round for ever.

Exams bug me for a few reasons, and the main one is pretty selfish: I’m crap at them. I never do as well as I should, partly because I never prepare for them properly, but mainly because they’re designed to show you at your worst.

Rather than allowing you to take time to ponder and develop an argument, you have to simply vomit something out as quickly as you can. Despite the fact that you type every other single piece of work for university, you’re expected to write them by hand. And what do they prove? That within a short period of time, you can regurgitate some memorised facts and arguments – Well Done.

Exams bug me for a few reasons, and the main one is pretty selfish: I’m crap at them.

Exams do not encourage individual, original thought. They do not encourage learning for the sake of it. All they do is encourage you to rape your subject, reduce it to a few memorable, pithy arguments and facts and then reproduce them in a semi-legible form, surrounded by 400 people doing the same.

Admittedly, this criticism applies largely to essay based subjects – particularly the poncier ones, like history, philosophy, English and politics (hobby degrees, I like to call them) – and not so much to science degrees, or engineering. There’s a certain element of hoop jumping in the latter subjects – i.e. wrong answers actually exist; you can’t just make up some bollocks and scrape a third like in Arts subjects – which make exams seem a reasonable means of assessment, but for essay subjects, this doesn’t hold.

It’s peculiar that in an age where nearly every fact or detail is accessible in seconds via the Internet, syllabuses still obsess over the regurgitation of a tiny number of memorised pieces of information in frankly odd circumstances. Exams are bad for the pupil, as they encourage a crammed, shallow education. Exams are bad for teachers and professors, who have to wade through hundreds of often illegible scripts. So what are they good for? Absolutely nothing.*

*Say it again…

Bookmark and Share

Related posts:

  1. Why shouldn’t medics and engineers pay higher fees?
  2. On revision and procrastination (P.S. I wrote this piece to avoid more revision…)
  3. Are universities open to all?

Tags: , , , , , , ,

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

153 Responses to “ Why do exams suck? You have 90 minutes. Your time starts now! ”

  1. Remedios Withem on January 10, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    Do not transmit the sureness your mortal to others in the treatment of tumors

  2. Jeff Cozine on January 11, 2012 at 1:12 am

    This is a fantastic web page. Good finished user interface and intensely useful content articles. I am coming back within a tad, just excellent website.

  3. Vernon Maraldo on January 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    It is very interesting,I appreaciate your view,cool!You can find many cheap goods sale on the website.And we know you can love the cheap goods online.

  4. Robbie Yon on January 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    This article is top shelf in my personal opinion. The points are presented with intelligent thought and consideration. It’s very well-written and engaging. Thank you for providing this valuable information.

  5. Sydney Delmonte on January 12, 2012 at 2:56 am

    If you could message me personally along with any tips on how you’ve made this site site seem this good, I might have fun here.

  6. Neville on January 14, 2012 at 1:14 am

    Quality ideas! I have been searching for some thing like that for a while currently. Excellent!

  7. Janae on January 15, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Major lover of this blog, loads of your posts have definitely helped me out. Looking towards updates!

  8. make money on January 15, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    hi, your website is really good. I truly do appreciate your give good results 767641

  9. Mitch Mulling on January 16, 2012 at 2:07 am

    You actually allow it to be appear quite simple together with your demonstration but I find this particular topic to become truly one thing

  10. Luisa on January 16, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Generally I do not read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.

  11. Loise Godine on January 20, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    Would you like to begin highly altering live journal lead seize pages that convert your site visitors into spending clients? Get the hidden crucial wordpress tool with

  12. Eunice on January 21, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.

  13. Edwin on January 21, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    Love the modern design. I was pleased with this article. Appreciation for your quality blog.

  14. Gregorio on January 22, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    howdy, outstanding wordpress blog, and a very good understand! one for my bookmarking.

  15. Leif on January 22, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    hi, fantastic blog page, and a very good understand! one for my book marks.

  16. Kelley on January 22, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    I definitely wanted to type a quick word so as to say thanks to you for these nice recommendations you are writing here. My particularly long internet lookup has now been recognized with good facts and techniques to write about with my guests. I ‘d express that most of us website visitors actually are truly lucky to be in a fantastic place with many special people with insightful techniques. I feel truly privileged to have used your weblog and look forward to really more fun moments reading here. Thanks a lot once again for a lot of things.

  17. Lancome Renergie Morpholift on January 23, 2012 at 3:59 am

    certainly like your web-site however you have to test the spelling on quite a few of your postsA number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the truth then again I’ll certainly come back again.

  18. Roland on January 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I’m still learning from you, as I’m trying to reach my goals. I absolutely enjoy reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the aarticles coming. I loved it!

  19. Jewelry with gemstones on January 27, 2012 at 5:16 am

    I have recently started a blog, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.

  20. Creative Logos on January 27, 2012 at 6:02 am

    A perfect logo can make or break a company. We specialize in making your webpage the perfect logo design. You will not regret chooising our brand design. We can promise you that!

  21. Alonso Korzenski on January 27, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Well stated, I do not think you can create a decent residing in this line of work, just dealing using the parents of the wedding couple would drive me personally crazy.

  22. Zane Gora on January 27, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    houreyy… saya sudah downloadz… good posting!! silahkan klik nama saya.. untuk berkunjung ke blog saya.. hehe

  23. lottery software on January 27, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    At this time it appears like Movable Type is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  24. podnośniki wrocław on January 28, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Very interesting subject , appreciate it for posting . “We need not think alike to love alike.” by Francis David.

  25. VIPRE Antivirus Coupon on January 28, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is excellent; the difficulty is something that not sufficient individuals are talking intelligently about. I am very blissful that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

  26. Johnson Bulkin on January 28, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    My partner and i genuinely as if your web site.. excellent colors & style. Have you ever produce this amazing site oneself? Plz respond again

  27. Adella Elstad on January 28, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    I am typically to blogging and i actually admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information.

  28. Al Moldenhauer on January 29, 2012 at 1:33 am

    Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this website needs rather more consideration. I’ll in all probability be again to learn rather more, thanks for that info.

  29. igun on January 29, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Hey, you used to write superb, but the last couple of posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past couple of posts are just a bit out of track! come on! 898716

  30. Roland Craig on January 29, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  31. saray?n incisi on January 30, 2012 at 1:45 am

    I used to be curious about your upcoming post admin really needed this web site super wonderful weblog

  32. cute tuxedo onesie on January 30, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I take pleasure in, lead to I found just what I was taking a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  33. wedding planning checklists on January 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    I am compelled to comment that this is really is an awesome thread, anywayI would love to write guest blog for your blog if that is alright for you and if you really want to, do visit out my site to see for yourself the site quality.

  34. hotels on January 31, 2012 at 12:15 am

    Perfectly pent content, Really enjoyed examining.

  35. kia optima hybrid on January 31, 2012 at 2:04 am

    certainly like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I will surely come back again.

  36. best mutual funds on January 31, 2012 at 3:29 am

    I must to say that this is really is an awesome post, btwI would wish to write guest blog for you if this is cool for you and if you really want to, do visit out my site to check out the site quality.

  37. 80 Inch TV on January 31, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Hello dear, me and my mother are also watch humorous video clips except after I completed my homework

  38. online müzik on January 31, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays..

  39. program articles on February 1, 2012 at 12:04 am

    I believe this internet site holds very wonderful indited content material content.

  40. Marget Bromwell on February 1, 2012 at 4:35 am

    I visited a lot of website but I think this one has something extra in it. “The first step towards amendment is the recognition of error.” by Seneca.

  41. Horace Dabato on February 1, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Keep up the great piece of work, I read few articles on this web site and I think that your web blog is really interesting and holds circles of great info.

  42. blanco sink on February 2, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.

  43. zaklady bukamcherskie on February 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  44. xbox 360 on February 3, 2012 at 12:01 am

    I haven’t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)

  45. Mina Johnikins on February 3, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    Appreciate it for helping out, wonderful information. “A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights.” by Napoleon Bonaparte.

  46. finding good skins is now easy on February 3, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  47. Aromatherapy Oil on February 4, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Another tip – Drink pure water – After all, bodies are over 50% water! Incidentally, where’s your water’s source?

  48. Simon Lizarrago on February 5, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I believe this internet site has very good composed articles articles.

  49. asphalt 6 apk download on February 5, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    I got what you will, thanks for putting up. Woh I am gladsome to reason this website through google. Thanks For Share Why do exams suck? You have 90 minutes. Your time starts now! | Lazy Students.

Leave a Reply