The topic of replacing traditional exams with continuous assessment in schools has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on past exam trends and current educational debates, this subject is likely to appear in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that exams are not a reliable measure of students’ abilities and should be replaced by continuous assessment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to discuss the reliability of exams versus continuous assessment as a means of evaluating students’ abilities. Key points to consider:
- The reliability of exams as a measure of student ability
- The potential benefits and drawbacks of continuous assessment
- Your personal stance on whether exams should be completely replaced
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Examinations have long been the cornerstone of academic assessment, but their effectiveness in truly measuring students’ abilities has come under scrutiny. While I agree that continuous assessment offers numerous advantages, I believe a balanced approach combining both methods would be most beneficial.
Exams, undoubtedly, have their limitations. They often create undue stress and anxiety, potentially hindering students from demonstrating their true capabilities. Moreover, exams tend to favor those who excel at memorization and perform well under pressure, potentially overlooking other valuable skills and intelligences. This narrow focus can lead to a skewed representation of a student’s overall abilities and potential.
Continuous assessment, on the other hand, offers a more holistic approach to evaluating student performance. By assessing students over an extended period through various methods such as projects, presentations, and coursework, it provides a more comprehensive view of their skills and progress. This approach encourages consistent effort and engagement, rather than last-minute cramming, fostering deeper learning and understanding. Additionally, it allows for the evaluation of a broader range of skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, which are crucial in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
However, completely eliminating exams in favor of continuous assessment is not without its drawbacks. Exams serve as a standardized measure, allowing for comparison across different schools and regions. They also prepare students for high-stakes situations they may encounter in their future careers. Furthermore, the objective nature of many exams can provide a counterbalance to the potential subjectivity in continuous assessment methods.
In conclusion, while continuous assessment offers significant advantages in providing a more comprehensive evaluation of students’ abilities, I believe a hybrid system would be most effective. Combining the ongoing evaluation of continuous assessment with periodic examinations would allow for a more balanced and thorough assessment of student capabilities, preparing them more adequately for future academic and professional challenges.
Continuous assessment vs exams in education
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, there has been a growing debate about whether exams are the best way to measure students’ abilities. Some people argue that continuous assessment is a better method. I partially agree with this view, as I believe both exams and continuous assessment have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Exams have been used for a long time to test students’ knowledge and skills. They are a fair way to compare students because everyone takes the same test under the same conditions. Exams also help students learn how to work under pressure and manage their time, which are important skills for their future careers. However, exams can be stressful and may not show a student’s true abilities if they have test anxiety or are having a bad day.
On the other hand, continuous assessment offers several benefits. It allows teachers to evaluate students over a longer period, giving a more complete picture of their abilities. This method can include different types of tasks, such as projects, presentations, and group work, which test a wider range of skills than traditional exams. Continuous assessment also encourages students to work consistently throughout the year, rather than just cramming for a final exam.
However, continuous assessment is not perfect. It can be more subjective than exams, as different teachers might grade differently. It also requires more time and resources from schools and teachers to implement effectively.
In my opinion, the best approach would be to use a combination of exams and continuous assessment. This would allow schools to benefit from the advantages of both methods while minimizing their drawbacks. For example, schools could use continuous assessment for coursework and projects, but still have some exams to test overall knowledge and exam skills.
To conclude, while continuous assessment has many benefits, I believe that completely replacing exams is not the best solution. A balanced approach using both methods would provide a fairer and more comprehensive assessment of students’ abilities.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
These days, many people think exams are not good for testing students. They say schools should use continuous assessment instead. I agree with this idea because I think continuous assessment is better than exams.
Exams are very stressful for students. Many students get nervous and can’t show their real abilities in exams. Also, exams only test what students remember on one day. This is not fair because everyone can have a bad day. Continuous assessment is better because it looks at student’s work over a long time. This gives a better picture of what students can really do.
Another problem with exams is that they only test memory. Students often just memorize facts for the exam and then forget them after. This is not real learning. With continuous assessment, students do projects and assignments throughout the year. This helps them learn more deeply and remember things better.
Continuous assessment also tests different skills. In exams, students usually just write answers to questions. But in continuous assessment, they can do presentations, group work, and practical tasks. These activities help students develop important skills like teamwork and communication.
However, some people say exams are still important. They say exams help students learn to work under pressure. Exams are also the same for everyone, so they are fair. These are good points, but I still think continuous assessment is better overall.
In conclusion, I believe schools should use continuous assessment instead of exams. It is less stressful for students and tests their abilities in a better way. It also helps students learn more deeply and develop important skills for their future.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Demonstrates high levels of coherence and cohesion throughout
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, though the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some errors in word choice and collocation
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Arranges information coherently and there is clear overall progression
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but the development is not always clear
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task
- May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Uses only a limited range of structures with only rare use of subordinate clauses
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Cornerstone (noun) /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/: A fundamental or essential part
- Scrutiny (noun) /ˈskruːtɪni/: Critical observation or examination
- Holistic (adjective) /həˈlɪstɪk/: Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected
- Skewed (adjective) /skjuːd/: Made biased or distorted in a way that is regarded as inaccurate or unfair
- Cramming (noun) /ˈkræmɪŋ/: Studying intensively over a short period of time just before an examination
- Hybrid (noun) /ˈhaɪbrɪd/: Something that is formed by combining two or more things
- Subjectivity (noun) /ˌsʌbdʒɛkˈtɪvɪti/: The quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions
- Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/: Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
- Counterbalance (verb) /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/: To offset or compensate for
- Evolving (adjective) /ɪˈvɒlvɪŋ/: Developing gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structure
In conclusion, the debate over replacing exams with continuous assessment is likely to remain a relevant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on this theme, considering various perspectives and potential implementations in different educational contexts. You may also encounter related questions about the effectiveness of different assessment methods or the role of technology in education. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion with fellow IELTS candidates.