YES

Information tracker

Most of the questions in any exam are factual and based on inactive memory. In competitive exams, students get common questions because of the study materials and question banks they have access to. The more information stuffed into your mind, the more scores you fetch. High scores are a measure of information retention.

Debarpita Mandi, Class VIII, D.A.V. Public School, Midnapore

Judging a fish

Standardised exams are designed to provide a generalised estimate of intellect, but ability cannot be assessed only by high scores. A low test score can be a factor of many things. Even the brightest students can get anxious before a test. High scores are not always a reliable indicator of educational accomplishments. We should change the way we define intelligence. Judging every student on the same parameters reminds one of the saying: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Mounisha Saha, Class XII, Rose Bank Edu Care High School, Madhyamgram

Not foolproof

Yes, exams are not a foolproof way of measuring a student’s intelligence. All students do not have the same attributes and capabilities; an exam only tests memory rather than comprehension of academic material.

Ekaansh Agarwal, Class XI, Delhi Public School, Ruby Park, Calcutta

Bookish knowledge

Inflated scores in examinations are not a comprehensive measure of any student’s intelligence. Each student is a unique individual with different skill sets.

Aryaa Banerjee, Class XII, Don Bosco School, Park Circus, Calcutta

NO

Important benchmark

Good scores require perseverance, diligence and the ability to strategise. The idea that examinations only check one’s ability to memorise does not hold true anymore when questions are unconventional and require students to improvise and formulate answers.

Debsarathi Sen, Second year, Heritage Institute of Technology, Calcutta

Demonstrates responsibility

High scores are proof that a student is serious about studies. If someone is intelligent enough then he or she will surely score well and that score is a measure of his or her diligence.

Rohan Yadav, Class XII, Ondal High School, Burdwan