Band 7+: Some people believe that formal examinations are the best way to assess a student's performance, while others argue that continuous assessment throughout the year is more effective. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There are people who accept that conventional assessments are the most ideal way to survey an understudy’s exhibition, while others contend that persistent evaluation all through the year is more successful. In this paper, the two perspectives will be investigated before I share my own viewpoint.

Allies of formal assessments declare that they convey an exhaustive evaluation of a student’s information by testing review capacities under tension, surveying various subjects in a controlled setting. Additionally, examinations can evaluate a large number of students simultaneously and save teachers time because they are time-efficient. They likewise give a reasonable norm to fair and agreeable examinations between understudies.

On the other hand, advocates for continuous assessment argue that it offers a more comprehensive evaluation of a pupil’s true capabilities. Unlike examinations, continuous assessment considers progress over an extended period, providing insight into strengths and weaknesses. This approach incorporates various methods and tasks, allowing teachers to gauge critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills. Continuous assessment facilitates timely feedback and interventions for ongoing student growth.

In my opinion, a combination of both formal examinations and continuous assessment is ideal for a comprehensive evaluation of a pupil’s performance. Formal examinations provide a standardized measure of knowledge, which is essential in certain subjects where factual recall and time-management skills are crucial, such as mathematics or history. Nevertheless, continuous assessment offers a more comprehensive understanding of a pupil’s abilities, as it takes into account their overall engagement, work history, and critical thinking skills.

In summary, formal examinations offer fairness and effectiveness, while continuous assessment provides a holistic view of a pupil’s performance. Combining both approaches ensures a comprehensive assessment that considers growth and development, balancing fairness and sensitivity.