Are exams a more effective tool to assess students than coursework?

Matthew Murchie, 15, St Joseph College

For thousands of years, exams have been used to assess students' abilities and intelligence. But recently, more schools have been opting for a different approach to assessment: coursework.

Exams seem, at first sight, to be an excellent way to assess students. They test a specific syllabus that everyone follows and they put students on an even footing as all students sit for the same exam papers.

Unfortunately, basing a student's academic abilities on a single exam paper is hardly an accurate method of assessment. What if the student is not on form on the day of the exam? What if the student is sick and can't make it to the exam? It is often the case that a talented student misses great opportunities purely because they couldn't turn up for a single important exam.

Coursework, on the other hand, provides a steady assessment over the course of months, guaranteeing the students' results to be an accurate summary of their academic standards.

Also, it is a school's aim to prepare students for the future. While exams are certainly effective at forcing students to cram large amounts of information into their heads, it is far more important that students learn to do research, work in a team and think for themselves. These are skills that are needed throughout their lives and can only be gained through coursework.