The concept of examination has different definitions for everyone and situation but, it is best described as a means of evaluation of practical and theoretical knowledge an individual or group has acquired over a period of time in a structured institution. It is a set of questions or experiment to test the level of knowledge of an individual. This process as been in existence for a long period of time in the educational system and other related institutions.
As a human, acquisition of formal knowledge and understanding is required in order to be an informed citizen and a literate. In the education system, it is not possible to evaluate a persons' knowledge just by looking at them, this process of examination is put in place for student and scholars to demonstrate their knowledge.
The educational system is created in a form to ensure consistent and coherent pattern of instilling knowledge in a formal structure. There are some patterns that exist within this structure that were created for a purpose that has become alien to this present generation. It is quite obvious that institution for acquiring formal education is one of the oldest institution in existence, the learning patterns might be subjected to upgrades but the foundation remains. As time passes by, despite the firmness of this foundation, people have began to doubt it purpose.
People always want to know why some activities were included in the academic structure. Humans are fond of replacing structures we believe that, it doesn't have any significant purpose to play, this is why old structures have been swept away by development and civilisation. I mean in the history of mankind, how many old existing structures are still existing today, even if the activity itself has not been swept away, the way it is been done will definitely experience change.
In the light of that, can we consider exam and test as a true measure of intelligence? not entirely. This method is not only used in academic institutions but also in various places like interviews e.t.c a method of evaluating a person's intellectual capacity. The irony is, a person might pass an exam and still lack knowledge. One thing I'm aware of is the fact that, when people hear of exams, it forces them to prepare, to put their knowledge into play, either you study hard or through cramming. One way or the other, it will force you to do something.
But true knowledge is about application not just what is written on paper, what if someone passes an exam and still fails on the field where the knowledge is needed. I believe what we get wrong is the form of exam. Paper exam can be used to evaluate a person's theoretical knowledge but to evaluate a person's practical knowledge, such person needs to be given a field examination. Examination can be used to evaluate a person's intelligence but it depends on how it is applied.
The typical form of examination we are all aware of, only comprises of class rooms examination and very little practical knowledge. So when people show up for interviews and still fail to answer simple practical questions despite the high grades on certificate, the interviewer suddenly feels the urge to discredit the form of examination that got the interviewees their grades. The issue is not entirely the practice of examination but the form of examination. Probably they should ask, how were you examined?
This is what earned a lot of graduate, the name "educated illiterate". Individuals who have passed through the academic setting and still fail to deliver. Some probably studied to pass, while some are book smart but lack practical application of knowledge. Hypothetically, we can still consider examination as a measure of intellectual capacity since it is still widely practiced across the world but until a research is carried out and say otherwise, what ever we say of the practice of "examination and test" is just opinionated assumptions.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled Exams and test in hive learners community.
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