IELTS Task 2 - Q2: Formal Examinations vs. continuous assessment
Writing Task 2You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Only formal examinations, written or practical, can give a clear picture of a student's knowledge and ability at university level. Continuous assessment such as course work and projects are poor measures of checking a student's ability.
How far do you agree with the latter statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your own knowledge or experience.
Introduction/First paragraph
As the saying goes, "Education is the backbone of a successful career." At the university level, a student learns about his strengths and weaknesses through assessment. But, whether formal examinations give a clear picture of their knowledge or do continuous assessments benefit more is still debatable.Points for the second paragraph
- Continuous assessment keeps students on their toes and keeps them studying throughout the year.
- Assignments and projects are fun and creative ways to learn. It also helps a student perform all the theories practically; however, students may plagiarize projects and assignments from various sources, thus defeating the overall purpose.
Points for the third paragraph
- Formal examinations check all that a student has learned throughout the academic year.
- Generally, formal examinations at the university level are held under strict invigilation, thus ensuring that a student's actual knowledge is checked and not the 'knowledge' copied from somewhere else.
- However, formal examinations may be affected if a student is not well during the exams or faces other internal or external issues. This, in turn could affect their overall grades.
Conclusion
Hence, to conclude, I feel both formal examinations and continuous assessment can benefit a student. Standard tests can show a clear picture of the knowledge, and constant evaluation can enable students to learn practically.Click here to go to the main IELTS Writing Menu
