Siyavuş Novruzov, a Member of the Milli Majlis, expressed his concern about the excessive number of student exams at yesterday's parliamentary session. The MP stated that children, in addition to lessons and exams, should also have the opportunity to spend their free time productively, engage in sports, and participate in other developmental activities.
In this regard, could the abolition or reduction of the number of KSQs and BSQs be possible?
Speaking to AzEdu.az on the topic, education expert Ramin Nurəliyev noted that making exams more complex and difficult creates exam anxiety among parents and students:
“If we are talking about the assessment mechanism in general secondary schools, I believe that the number of small summative assessments and large summative assessments is not excessive and should generally exist. Because at the end of each academic quarter or semester, there must be a mechanism that carries out the assessment for that period. Here, these are called small and large summative assessments. Some are conducted quarterly, and some semi-annually, and the existence of these assessments is not a problem. It is possible that the MP is not referring to summative assessment.”
This approach is applied in most countries worldwide:
“In various countries around the world, a corresponding assessment is conducted at the end of each quarter, semester, or academic year. This is the case in general secondary schools, colleges, and higher education institutions. In other words, this is an accepted general procedure.
In accordance with the stage of the educational process, a corresponding assessment must be conducted upon completion of that academic year, and this is carried out through exams. The Ministry of Science and Education also implements this process in line with international practice. From this perspective, there is no fundamental problem here.”
Anxiety about exams is mainly related to psychological factors:
“What kind of exams might students be anxious about? If a student attends a general secondary school, they must participate in summative assessments. Yes, summative assessments can be made somewhat easier, their format changed, or they can be conducted once a year. This is a separate topic for discussion. However, the abolition of summative assessment in general is not correct.
If a student is anxious about summative assessment in the 5th or 6th grade, what difficulties will they face when preparing for entrance exams in higher grades? Because in higher grades, the number of exams is greater: graduation exams, entrance exams, mock exams, first and second attempt exams, etc. Suddenly entering an intensive exam process creates more serious stress for the child.
I believe that the current structure and situation are not bad. Yes, there is an exam-oriented approach, and I accept that. However, I do not accept proposals such as "no exams" or "abolish KSQ and BSQ". Because an assessment must be conducted at the end of the quarter or semester, and BSQs fulfill this function.”
Exams play an important role in the development of students' skills:
“This system ensures the child's adaptability to exams. As they progress from lower to higher grades, skills in test-taking, material analysis, and proper time management are developed.
Exam-orientedness pressures us and creates problems, I accept that. Because the fear of exams and admissions has already formed in both students and parents. When a student reaches a higher grade, they are already thinking about the entrance exam. Parents worry that if the child doesn't prepare, they will fail the exam.
The difficulty of the exam, insufficient time, listening questions not aligning with the material base, and other factors create anxiety for parents and students. When implementing innovations and international practices, we must consider the real potential of students in general secondary schools. Entrance exams should be consistent with the secondary school curriculum.
Making exams more complex and difficult creates exam anxiety among parents and students. This is the greatest danger and the main problem.”
