External exams are commonly observed in the commonwealth countries, especially at the point of graduation, or when the students are in transition from their studies, that is, from moving on towards college from school or university from college. The examination board is responsible for grading the students and marks their competitive selection according to the student’s intellect. The teachers, students, and tutors, even the coaching institutions, are taking high interest in the process and their outcomes.
Strength of External Exams
The examination board prepares the examination paper under the supervision of a subject specialist and is responsible for securing it until the students have sat the exam in the same conditions and at the same time.
Having noted that all students are attempting the same examination makes it easier for the authorities to directly compare the results. Students are marked by trained markers irrespective of the teachers by whom they have been taught making it zero favoritism for the students. Commonly, the exam authorities are frequently audited for their quality checks, along with high confidence in the public.
Weakness of External Exams
Traditional methodologies are followed during external examinations, which limit them to checking the student’s capability and restrict the canvas to which the student needs to be evaluated. Additionally, several parts of the student assessment remain lacking the proper grooming of the candidate, limiting the perspective of the examination.
Surprise questions and assignments are locked during the central examination, making less use of human cognitive thinking and reducing the mental ability to work in diverse environments.
Another major issue that arises is the attention to detail in the course, which restricts the students from memorizing the contents of the book and limits the candidate’s intellect level. Furthermore, it adds the extra cost of tutors and coaching, making it more expensive for the parents as well as students to bear.
Thus, the external exams may result in the accomplishment of the outcome, which may be because of the last-minute coaching or lucky breaks, reducing the complete testing of the students. In some cases, the test anxiety and tiredness may also result in the abnormal result of the student.
