Some people think that examinations have some bad effects on both students and teachers. Some people say they have good effects on education. What is your opinion?

      In the long history of human education, great changes have taken place in every field of study. However, testing a person by examinations is still regarded as the only reliable and feasible method to measure one’s knowledge and ability. From elementary schools to universities, students have to take many examinations. They even regard examinations as an indispensable part of their life.

      Many other people believe examinations have some advantages. In the first place, they serve as a driving force to stimulate students to work hard. Laziness is part of human nature. Without the pressure of tests, students tend to ignore their studies. Moreover, the results of e function as mirrors for both students and teachers. Students can assess themselves and teachers can adjust their teaching method according to the information they obtain from examinations. Finally, till now no better methods have been discovered to replace examinations. Other forms of assessment are too time-consuming and therefore are infeasible.

      Some people, however, hold that examinations have negative impacts on both students and teachers. First of all, tests are unable to evaluate one’s true ability. They can only test memory or the skill of working rapidly. Secondly, examinations encourage bad study habits. Students tend to lay emphasis on the content that will be tested. They are encouraged to memorize rather than to think. Finally, examinations lower the standards of teaching. Teachers have to train students in test-taking techniques instead of teaching their subjects.

      In my opinion, examinations have positive impacts on both students and teachers. They make students work hard. They also provide an objective standard by which the students can assess themselves and teachers can know what they should do next. Furthermore, at present no better methods are available. Therefore, I am sure examinations will continue to play an essential role in education.