Plan this discussion essay about education with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that exams are the fairest way to assess students. Others believe that continuous assessment through coursework and projects is better.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
People disagree about whether formal examinations or continuous assessment through coursework provides the fairer measure of student ability. In my opinion, a combination of both gives the most accurate picture.
Supporters of examinations argue that they are objective. All candidates answer the same questions under the same conditions and within the same time limit, so there is little opportunity for cheating or for a teacher's personal opinion to affect the result. Exams also test whether students can recall knowledge and think clearly under pressure, skills that are needed in many professions. A medical student, for instance, must be able to make decisions quickly without consulting a book. For these reasons, exams are often seen as a reliable way to compare large groups.
On the other hand, continuous assessment has real strengths. Some capable students perform poorly in exams because of nerves, and one bad day can ruin years of effort. Coursework spreads the evaluation over months, so it rewards steady work and gives a fuller picture of what a student can do. Projects and presentations develop research, teamwork and writing skills that a three-hour paper cannot measure. Its weakness is that parents or online tools may help with the work, which makes it difficult to be sure that every piece is the student's own.
Given these strengths and weaknesses, I believe education systems should balance the two. Coursework can show sustained effort and practical ability, while a final exam confirms that students have understood the material independently. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, already use this mixed model for qualifications.
In conclusion, neither method is perfect on its own. Using both together is the fairest way to assess what students have really learned.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| standardised test | same test for all |
| coursework | work done during a course |
| assessment method | way of judging students |
| exam anxiety | fear of tests |
| rote learning | memorising by repetition |
| academic performance | how well one does in studies |
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