Our educational system these days is divided in two major examination systems which are Annual examination system and Semester examination system. Both of these examination systems are entirely different from each other in almost all aspects, from teaching methods and hours to the studying techniques of the students. Both these systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. First we need to describe both these systems in order to reach the decision that which one is better.
Annual system is the most used examination system in early education (from 1st standard to high school) in most countries. Its core purpose is to teach the students all year and then take examination at the end of that year to check what the students have learned. Here are some of the advantages of this examination system.
1. The students will have much time to revise the syllabus.
2. Students will have a chance to refer various subject related books.
3. They can prepare their notes by using library resources.
4. Students can participate in all the co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
5. Teachers will have a chance to give as much as knowledge to the students related to the subject.
6. Teachers can take the students to various field trips and give them much exposure.
Here are some of the disadvantages of this system.
1. In the annual system, most of the students show negligence towards studies as the examinations are conducted once in a year.
2. Students have to study the entire syllabus for annual exams which is a burden.
3. Most of the students do not attend the college regularly as there is no strict regulation on attendance.
Semester examination system is mostly introduced in university level. This examination system is considered more efficient and effective than the annual examination system because in this system teaching involves the deliverance of concepts. In addition this system has features like submitting assignments, delivering presentations and frequent tests to keep the students intact all the time. Here are some of its advantages.
1. It will provide an opportunity to the students for continuous learning, assessment and feedback.
2. It facilitates the better understanding of the subject.
3. More emphasis is laid on class interaction because of constant engagement between teachers and students.
4. This system improves regular study habits among the students.
5. It facilitates in evaluating the performance of students twice a year.
6. The students will not have more burden of syllabus as it is divided into two halves.
7. A semester system allows greater freedom and scope for designing and delivering a variety of courses that the students can pick to enhance the quality of learning.
8. Through this system, students attend the college regularly without failing as there is a regulation of compulsory 75% attendance.
9. Students can develop skills and subject related knowledge in a better way though this system.
Here are some of its demerits.
1. Semester system faces inadequacy of time. Most of the times teachers fail to complete the syllabus in time. Students who join late will face lot of difficulties to catch the subject and complete the revision.
2. Semester system increases workload as the evaluation process is conducted twice a year.
3. Semester system does not give any scope for extra classes due to lack of time.
4. Semester system restricts co-curricular activities as most of the time teachers are engaged in completion of syllabus and students are involved in revision of completed syllabus
Every student has his own views on both of these examination systems but I prefer Semester system because it involves the conceptual study and eradicates the habit of cramming in students.
