Can Exam Scores Determine A Student’s Worth?

We live in a society where exam scores of a student are taken into consideration rather than their knowledge. An individual’s ability is always judged by his/her scores and this scenario is always considered common. With the evolution of education and exam conducting formats, exam scores are no longer a student’s ability and hard work but it’s considered more as the source of their parents’ pride.

Unfortunately, these assessments and scores only prove the students’ theoretical knowledge but not their practical strengths. To prove themselves worthy and to put up with their parent’s pride, students tend to only concentrate on securing good scores rather than learning things to secure their future. The fact that students are supposed to enjoy learning, gain knowledge and educate others simultaneously drifted to oblivion, is overwhelming.

Among all this chaos, students’ dreams, goals and interests are sidelined. They only study and force themselves to get good scores and to avoid embarrassment. Students don’t get to explore their interests and capabilities. They are slowly getting accustomed to these societal norms, thinking that securing good scores and keeping up their pride is what all matters, and to spend some time pursuing their dreams is just not worthy.

Our education system forces the students to take up assessments to test their abilities and understanding of the lessons they were taught. Many times, we get to see that students face discrimination because of their exam scores based on those assessments. Parents, teachers and society belittle the students who did not score well. These insults and discrimination lead the students to cause anxiety, and depression and become introverted person. Many of them tend to adopt unethical methods to gain good scores because of these pressures.

Many surveys state that with every passing year the number of students who are suffering from clinical depression is increasing and the number of suicidal cases is also increasing. The pressure a student undergoes because of these exam scores comparisons and societal expectations can be considered a more significant issue to be addressed.

How can we as a society prevent this?

We need to understand that exam scores cannot define who you are as a person or define your worth. No one in the world can decide one's ability and future by just assessing them with a few questions. Instead of concentrating on a student’s exam scores, teachers and parents should educate them to face the real world by themselves and overcome those difficulties.

Make them understand that their grades are not everything, and having academic goals is good but it is completely okay if they couldn’t achieve their goals. Teach them how to be positive, confident about themselves, share their knowledge with others and be determined. Teach the students about the importance of academic integrity and how it helps to grow as better humans in society. Tell them that securing good scores doesn’t always make a person successful, there are many other fields where one can become successful despite getting low grades. The most important thing is to never give up and follow our dreams, it’s completely okay to fail.

Many students give their best in the exam by maintaining integrity but couldn’t get good scores while few other students get good scores in unethical methods. But this isn’t considered or needed for society, all they care about is good scores by ignoring the ability of honest students. So, exam scores are not always trustworthy and favorable for the students, and cannot determine a student’s worth.

“Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie?” -Marilyn Monroe