Grading system though differs majorly around the world but going by the prevalent system of examination grading, can we say that it is an effective measure or more importantly the best possible solution in this context?
Grading is referred to evaluation of a student on the basis of an exam conducted and his performance in that particular exam regardless of the prior results .
From a written exam which may have been given in an unexcepted circumstance determining the whole grade of the student to score of one JEE paper defining the position you hold in the college admission process which is the deciding factor of your whole life, is this system actually justified?
No one sees if you did flawlessly the whole semester if you lag a bit in the final assessment.
No one notices the person who spent hours in community service over the person who bagged AIR rank 1.
No one will care about why you couldn't be the best , why your best wasn't enough.
No one knows the second . No one remembers the second.
Studying now is just theoretical knowledge. When you are just reading and memorizing , what are the chances that we can apply these concepts in real life?
When you know that this one exam determines my future you surely give in your best- late night study sessions , millions of references , no scope of missing out on any possible fact. But when all this is over how much of this is retained in our mind , how of this is useful in further widening our horizon?
The grade on your report card does not define us as an individual . The A+ and F does not make us the better and the worse. Maybe the topper may not be as much as of an artist as the backbencher is. Then why is the our grade so important ?
What is an exam?
Not the knowledge of a student , not how bright he is nor is it about how much hours he sat in front of the book without the care of the world.
It is how much that person is able to memorize . Everyone is taught the exact same thing in the exact same manner , then is judging on one's ability to rote learn accountable to make or destroy one's life?
We say people have different mental abilities, different strengths and weaknesses but all of this goes to waste when it comes to grades. No talent is as valuable no quality saves that person from being constantly poked on for his grades.
Education - no doubt is an essential component of one's life but education is not limited in the books , that's merely getting literate not educated. There is huge difference between being literate and being educated.
The human resource needed should be educated and not just literate . Anyone can be literate but being educated makes the difference.
So can this goal be achieved by this grading policy?
Probably not.
What's needed is reduction in the difference between exceling in studies and exceling in extracurriculars. Grades should define you as a person and not just you on the exam day. Years of hard work goes in the drain with that one red mark which is not even a just reason.
This grading system is pointless and has been followed so rigorously that now it may be impossible to change in the system. But that can only be decided once some work is done on it , progress can only be seen once we start the process and not just by assuming the final outcome.
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