Was it logically possible for students to earn scientific degrees and certificates without taking a lot of exams or competing against others, which can be stressful?
Since China was the country that first came up with the concept of a standardized test for a group of students, the exam process has begun between explanation, memorization, and understanding, and it has become necessary for students to compete in order to earn the best degrees.
Who Came Up with the Idea of Exams?
Historical references differed in disclosing the identity of the owner of the tests' concept in its current form, as some references refer to a famous American emeritus professor called Henry A. Fischel, and in other references, he is called Henry Michel.
Additionally, according to the references, this emeritus professor was a professor at Indiana University at the start of the 20th century.
Where Was the First Place the Concept of Exams Was Applied?
Exams are often credited to professor emeritus Henry Fischel, but many references claim that the term dates back to ancient China.
The Testing System Was First Applied in China
The Sui Dynasty created the "Imperial Examination" in 605 AD, a standardized test that was conducted across the nation to choose the best candidates to work in specific state institutions of government. However, the Qing Dynasty abolished this test in 1905.
From the Student Exam to the Employee Exam
The Chinese testing system quickly spread to neighboring Asian nations like Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, and then it spread to Europe as a result of missionary and political invitations. The British government began using an examination system for civil servants in 1855 after the successful experience of the English East India Corporation in England, which used the Chinese test system to choose its employees for the first time. Unlike decades ago, a student could get their certificate without ever having to pass an exam.
The Concept of Exams Among the Arabs
The Arab educational system did not include any testing as educational institutions did not require students to perform specific tests, and teachers awarded certificates to persevering students without requiring them to take a test, including evidence that the student had read the book or curriculum appointed by the appointed teacher.
However, Ibn Usaybi'a claims in his book “Tabaqat Al-Atibbaa” that he organized an oral examination for the Baghdad doctors during the reign of Caliph al-Muqtadir in the early 10th century AD.
The exam system was then established, whether orally or in writing, as it was modernized and transformed into an advanced educational system, and the methods of setting exams became known, clear, and unified.
Finland's Unique Exam Concept and Educational System
The State of Finland abolished the examination system and implemented the law of mutual trust between the teacher and the student, as it eliminated school assignments and imposed that the Finnish student submit the annual standardized test only once, at the end of the secondary stage.
Teachers were given full confidence to create exams in place of standardized tests based on their own viewpoints and free from interference from educational institutions. Furthermore, it is uncommon for a student to receive homework because the school essentially offers all of the student's science-related needs, while the home is where kids learn life skills, not the school curriculum. according to the Finnish view of education.
Finland has also shown a great interest in the students' time for rest, play, and entertainment, as the constitution requires teachers to give students a fifteen-minute break for every forty-five minutes of explanation. This is done because Finland believes it is crucial for children to enjoy their childhood years for as long as possible.
University education is also free in Finland, saving secondary school students the trouble of worrying about their future after graduation because money is never an obstacle to attending the university of their choice.
Exam and Stress
Achieving the highest academic grades is the hope of the whole family, not just the children, which means an increase in stress and pressure on the student to study more, especially several weeks before or during exams.
With the buildup of familial and social stress, negative feelings develop in the child, which drives them to a state of stress and anxiety and, in many cases, causes them to develop various diseases. We may have heard about students who failed to get high grades despite their obvious distinction during their courses throughout the school year.
How Do You Know That Your Child Is In a State of Stress And Anxiety?
You might observe some signs that your child is experiencing stress or anxiety, such as sleep abnormalities, mood swings, crying out in frustration, a lack of confidence, and a shaky belief in their ability to pass the test.
Another symptom of anxiety is that the child experiences stomachaches because they are unable to digest their food, and they may also experience a constant headache, develop eczema-like skin lesions, lose their appetite, or eat excessively and more frequently than usual (bulimia). They may also find it difficult to enjoy doing things they used to enjoy and have a depressing, pessimistic outlook on the future.
How Can Parents Help Their Children?
Parents must continually encourage their children because they need to be a source of motivation all the time. So what can parents do to help their children feel more confident and less anxious during test times?
Here are the most important tips to support your children's mental health during exams:
- Avoid spending your time with your child talking about exams and tests because this will inevitably increase their stress and anxiety, even if it's necessary advice for them or if it's motivation, encouragement, or an expression of great confidence in their abilities and capabilities.
- Maintain the usual home routine in order to avoid any extra stress; for instance, don't force your child to go to sleep at 8:00 if you usually allow them to stay up until 10:00.
- Encourage your children to engage in light exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, or football because these sports help children feel more energized, calmer, and less anxious.
- Encourage your child to take regular breaks, as preparation times during tests can be extended up to seven hours, which means more stress on the brain. So motivate your child to take regular breaks, watch TV, or listen to some music.
- Encourage your child to relax and sleep for eight to nine hours at night. Some students think that staying up all night studying will help them perform better, but if they don't get enough sleep, it's possible that the information won't be well-remembered and will be lost, which will affect their performance.
- Never make comparisons between your child and other people's children, and never discuss with them how great other children are or how many hours they study.
- Ensure that your child has a quiet space to study, and ask them about the most appropriate place in the house.
- Teach your child that experiencing stress and anxiety before exams is normal, that it is a feeling shared by all students, and that it is both necessary and beneficial because it can help us study more effectively.
- Rewarding your child will help them study better and perform better on tests. Rewards don't have to be significant or pricey, as they can be simple activities like cooking a favorite meal or watching TV.
- Practice being a calm, reassuring, and positive person before going to the exam location to help your child understand that failure is not the end of life but rather a part of it, and that even if things do not turn out as we hope and expect, they will undoubtedly be able to pass the exam the next time.
- Encourage your child to discuss the positive aspects of each test with you rather than concentrating on the challenging parts. Then, teach them to turn their attention to the upcoming test rather than dwelling on their mistakes from the previous test, which are undoubtedly irreparable.
- Set realistic expectations and don't let your child's best grade be all you wish for them; instead, help them find their passion and then let them confidently pursue their dreams.
- Consult a specialist psychiatrist if the state of anxiety persists after the test ends.
In Conclusion
Regardless of who created it, the exam will always be a source of psychological pressure, and this is not just a negative thing, as benefits can be gained from the experience, and it is seen as practical training for handling pressure and tension since the exam is a microcosm of life that cannot be free of stress and anxiety points.
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