Final answer:
The article on the harmful effects of examinations would address the stress and anxiety they can cause, their impact on learning, and the fear of public failure. It would call for a balanced approach to assessing student learning and suggest alternative methods and increased mental health support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The harmful effects of examination are a relevant and pressing issue in the landscape of modern education. Examinations can induce a high level of stress and anxiety among students, pressure to perform can lead to unhealthy studying habits, and the fear of failure can result in a crippling effect on student morale and self-confidence. An essay or article on this topic might start with a personal anecdote, as seen in LibreTexts, highlighting the anxious experience of a student during an examination and then expand on how such high stakes testing doesn't always measure a student's true abilities or knowledge.
Studies suggest that the stress associated with exams can have a range of adverse effects on students' physical and mental health. For instance, the notion of public failure, as mentioned in a context of student project demonstrations, can push students to exert themselves excessively, sometimes beyond healthy limits. Moreover, while the goal of exams is to reinforce learning and improve academic outcomes, they can also negatively impact learning experiences, as hinted in the observation that not all students can succeed by simply writing a passing essay without fully engaging with the material.
In conclusion, while exams are an integral part of educational systems, their potential to cause harm should not be overlooked. Educational institutions, teachers, and policymakers must strike a balance to ensure assessments are fair, supportive of learning, and mindful of students' well-being. Alternative methods of evaluation and increased mental health support on campuses are possible solutions that might alleviate some of the negative consequences associated with high-pressure examinations.