To start off, it is very easy to understand how people would love this feature: no exams! For students who have had good grades all year, exemptions feel like a reward.
With them being stressed for every exam, wondering if they were going to succeed, it’s nice to know that they don’t have to end the year with waves of anxiety.
It also motivates students to keep up with their studies. “I think exemptions motivate students to have a better grade because it’s like a goal. I don’t think I would have good grades without them,” says a student when asked about their opinion on the subject. Even if they don’t get the exemption, they still managed to get their grades up.
When a student does not have to do an end-of-the-year test in a subject, they tend to let loose on said subject and not do the assigned work fully. Even if completing all revision exercises is required for an exemption, teachers must push students to actually focus on the work at hand.
“When the ministry exams come, students who didn’t do the end-of-year exams didn’t experience the stress of doing an exam for three hours. They don’t have the “I can do this” mindset,” reports a teacher.
The passing grade is between 85 and 90. Students think that is high, but to be exempted, you must have proven that you understand the majority of the subject.
Plus, it is worth noting that all of the students who won’t do the summer exams took the Christmas exams. This means that they are not fully spared exam week.
On the other hand, many students think that exemptions are not fair. The problem is that some students have also worked their heads off and yet are left with two to five exams in a single week. They are discontent about the new feature: exemptions. Also, some students are more at ease in school and get good grades easily so they are exempted without working hard.
Some students feel embarrassed since they are not exempted, They think that others will judge them for it and they feel a certain pressure. Also, the way that students are given their exemption is not subtle at all. Every teacher announces the exception in a different fashion. All in all, students always know who they are, whether it is due to the teachers’ lack of discretion or the students telling each other.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to have their opinion on exemptions. It is still very important to respect each individual, exception or not.
