Final answer:
Prohibiting reading material in exam rooms is recommended to maintain fairness and prevent cheating. Allowing reading materials can compromise the integrity of the assessment. Studies have shown that relying on reading materials during exams can negatively affect student performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, prohibiting reading material in exam rooms is recommended to ensure fairness and prevent cheating. When students have access to reading material during exams, it can give them an advantage over their peers and compromise the integrity of the assessment.
While some argue that reading material can be helpful for certain subjects like open-book exams or essay-based assessments, the general practice is to prohibit it to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge without external resources.
Additionally, studies have shown that allowing reading materials during exams can actually have a negative impact on student performance. Research has found that students who rely heavily on reading materials during exams tend to score lower compared to those who engage in active studying and preparation beforehand.