Will Australia Ever Introduce Open-Book Exams?

It’s never too early to complain about closed-book exams.

Before 2016's end-of-year exams, education experts suggested schools across the country introduce open-book final examinations, with the Australian Tutoring Association (ATA) saying the status quo of closed-book testing was detrimental to critical thinking.

By this, they are referring the way in which students rely purely on memory rather than application. See, there is so much pressure on us to memorise our whole year’s worth of notes. The thing is, we are only regurgitating answers when it comes to the actual exams.

How many of you forget what you just learnt right after you finish your exam? I know I can put my hand up.

It makes no sense for Australia to keep implementing the same educational syllabus over and over again. We need to build a more creative community.

However, I am sorry to disappoint you. The NSW Board of Studies has said there are no plans to experiment with open-book testing, as they have already tried to limit opportunities for pre-prepared responses.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still fight for it. And better yet, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t open-minded to the possibility of open-book testing, so there is still hope.

Think about this: If we had open-book exams, do you think you would benefit? Or would it just be an easier way to resist exam stress and pressure?

Either way, I am all for it.

Share your thoughts below!

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Photo: NBC