Question- What are the possible merits of achievement tests?

Ans.

Achievement test have their pros and cons as far as the merits go they are as follows :

(i) They allow the data to be collected about the student achievement and learning that helps to inform educators, curriculum planners and the state officials who can help to determine the budget for a school.

(ii) They help to pinpoint instructional leader who are falling short of their duties and whose students are performing below standards.

(iii) Very often the data obtained from such tests helps to improve and ameliorate failing education system, remove instructors who aren't proving effective and reshape curriculum that may have been less than effective.

(iv) They also have a high effect on student achievement. The students feel motivated and get a clue about where they are going wrong.

(v) These tests are non-discriminatory in nature hence no scope of biasedness.

(vi) These tests are taken by even disabled or minority children hence educational equity is created in our schools.

The demerits of such tests could be :

(i) It is said that these test do not help in student achievement in any meaningful way.

(ii) The increase in positive scores that are seen on the test is merely a reflection of curriculum that is designed to help the students score highly on these tests.

(iii) It is argumented that these tests students to simply gobble up or cram the concepts of a high mark rather than internalize consider apply and adapt what they have learned.

(iv) These tests often reflect an important aspect and that is critical thinking skills while the teachers design these.

(v) These tests may even pose challenges for children with learning disabilities, special needs or emotional issues. These tests may affect them negatively.

(vi) These tests are even called discriminatory in nature setting up for failure the many students who have cognitive issues with the material or simply struggle with MCQs in a timed environment.

(vii) These tests are even termed impractical and of little use in a students life.

(viii) Critical thinking, learning reading comprehension, writing skills recognizing patterns and social skills are some of the most critical components of learning and which are not always assured.

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