Home > Teachers Group > Discussion Board

I think that students shouldn't have to take final exams if they did all their work in class, passed most of the test and did what they had to do they shouldn't have to. But the other kids they should be punished by taking the midterm, mainly because they didnt't do what they were suppose to do, and every bad choice you make, isn't there always a consequence?

As a teacher, my opinion is that examinations, whether midterm or final, should not be used as punishments for students. Both types of examinations are supposed to be comprehensive assessments of knowledge and skills gained through that point of the semester. Many high school teachers and college professors offer exemption from a final exam as a reward for students who accumulate enough points to reach an “A” by the end of the semester. For students who have not done this, the final exam is an opportunity to boost one’s grade by demonstrating knowledge and skill at a level that has not been previously demonstrated by completion of assignments.  

If a way could be found out to make all the students taking up a course to learn perfectly well all that they need to learn as part of their education of program, there will be no need for final exams. However, such no effective methods of teaching or learning exist. For various reasons, including the interest of individual students and the efforts put in by them, different students achieve different level of proficiency during the course of studies. The final exams are needed to find out the extent of learning of each students. Such measurement of learning of student is helpful to student themselves. Much more than that, it provides a information to others about proficiency and learning of individuals.

Giving exams also provides a final review of the most important material covered in a class. Students who prepare for their finals benefit from reviewing on their own or in class; students who don't prepare still meet the material again simply by taking the test. Working through a test is in itself a learning experience.

Exams are a way of examining the total content over a longer period of time. It may be a high pressure form of analysis, but it is a fair assessment of retentive knowledge. It's also a way to prepare for the pressures that occur in the workplace.

TAking of a final exam is not only a method of evaluation, but it also serves as a  pedagogical instrument.  Considering that content is taught to be a lasting part of your educational achievement, the recall required on a final stimulates yur long term memory of that material.  Yes, they should be required

I've always felt that the final exam is my last, best chance to teach the material.  At my high school, the finals are worth 20% of the student's grade.  That sounds very high stakes to the kids (although if you do the math you would see that even a 20% final is only critical to kids on the border between grades), so they bring a lot of caring to that test. 

In the days up to the test we revisit the course's key contents and most important info.  I'm very much in favor of using the final as a teaching instrument.

Final tests are important, because they show what students have learned. In my class students know they have a final test. They prepare by studying the material. It gives them a reason to study the material again. The more they review the key terms the more likely they will remember it forever.

Final exams also give students a reason to do daily work. By doing daily work they are practicing the skills they need to learn. Final exams show the skills students have gained through the class. It's also a great way to assess where students may be struggling (comprehension, vocabulary, etc.)