IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Only formal examinations, written or practical, can give a clear picture of students’ true knowledge and ability at university level. Continuous assessment like course work and projects are poor measures of students’ ability.
How far do agree with this latter statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Assessment and its associated feedback have enormous importance in student learning. Formal examination and continuous assessment are the two most prevalent approach of assessment around the world. However, in many circles, it is contend that formal examinations, whether it is written or practical, offer the true representation of students’ actual ability and knowledge at tertiary level. They believe that continuous assessment, for example course work and assignments, is poor yardstick to measure a student’s ability and competence. But, I do not deem one-size-fits all approach. Continuous assessment has multitude benefits which are critical to learning objective.
One of the expected benefits of continuous assessment is its guidance oriented nature. That is to say that it involves gathering data over a period of time that allows the approach to provide teachers with more accurate data early enough to modify instruction. This sheds light on students’ weakness comprehensively that allows teachers to remediate students’ weak points. Similarly, since assessments are embedded in the flow of learning process, students can get a stream of opportunities to correct themselves and show their mastery.
Another benefit of continuous assessment is the decisive lecturers’ role. When lecturer holds scheduled classes for a prescribed period of time, the instruction runs at lecturer’s pace. Lecturers can make their pace according to students’ ability. Continuous assessment changes the lecturers’ role from “sage on the stage” to “guide on side”. Lecturers work with pupils as guiding learning, solving problems, and aiding synthesize and exert knowledge.
To sum up, students are needed to prove their mastery in many areas at university level. Therefore, all I want to say that continuous assessment is as critical as formal examination.