Board examination twice a 12 months: Double examination stress for college students?

Even earlier than getting his ninth grade closing examination outcomes, 15-year-old Lourembam Sanathoi began taking teaching lessons for the demanding tenth grade board exams. He says, “If I begin making ready early, I will carry out higher.” He’s joined by 20 extra college students who take teaching lessons for all topics within the morning and night. However the current announcement by India’s Ministry of Training about board examinations for grades tenth and twelfth to be performed twice in a 12 months from the educational session 2024-25 left Sanathoi and his pals shocked. Will the brand new transfer take board examination stress in college students to a brand new stage?

Sanathoi’s mom Devikarani thinks board exams twice a 12 months means “double stress”. She says, “It’s not simply the scholars who’ve examination stress, however the mother and father too. We now have to be up with them at odd hours too.”

Optimistic and detrimental sides of two board exams in a 12 months

Examination stress or anxiousness related with it might’t be taken flippantly. Final 12 months, the Nationwide Council for Academic Analysis and Coaching (NCERT) discovered that round 80 p.c kids learning in grades 9 to 12 undergo from anxiousness resulting from exams and outcomes. Conducting board exams twice a 12 months can create further strain on college students, says Suman Mittal, Headmistress, Kalorex Future Faculty, Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad. That’s as a result of they must put together for and carry out in two units of board exams inside a brief span of time. She tells Health Photographs, “This could result in greater stress ranges, particularly amongst these kids who already discover exams to be very difficult.”

However on the similar time, it may be seen as two possibilities given to college students to look for the board exams. The headmistress of the Central Board of Secondary Training college says, “College students may really feel much less anxious concerning the outcomes since they’ve a possibility for enchancment within the subsequent cycle and the syllabus shall be divided into two halves. This might probably scale back the stress related to a single high-stakes examination.”

Dr Rituparna Ghosh, Scientific Psychologist, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai additionally sees constructive and detrimental results on college students’ examination stress ranges.

Why two board exams a 12 months could also be good for youngsters

1. Second probability

With two examination cycles in a 12 months, college students would have a second alternative to carry out effectively in the event that they don’t obtain desired ends in the primary try. This might probably scale back the depth of stress related to the worry of failure.

2. Improved preparation

The prospect of getting one other probability to take the examination may inspire college students to take care of constant research habits all year long, probably main to raised preparation, says the skilled.

3. Studying from expertise

College students who take the primary examination may use their expertise to establish areas of enchancment and develop higher methods for the second try. This may assist them to handle stress extra successfully.

The detrimental facet of two board exams in a 12 months

1. Larger frequency

Conducting board exams twice a 12 months may result in a extra frequent cycle of stress for college students. Getting ready for exams requires important effort and time, and the shorter intervals between exams may not present sufficient time for complete studying, notes Dr Ghosh.

2. Strain to carry out

Whereas having a second probability is at all times good, it may additionally enhance the strain to carry out effectively in each exams. College students may really feel the strain to excel in each exams, resulting in greater stress ranges.

3. Steady examination readiness

The necessity to keep ready for exams all year long may result in a relentless sense of exam-related stress, probably impacting college students’ general well-being and talent to have interaction in different actions.

4. Affect on curriculum

The extra frequent examination schedule may shift the main focus of schooling in the direction of exam-centric studying reasonably than holistic understanding and ability improvement, probably growing stress ranges.

5. Restricted breaks

College students may need fewer breaks between examination cycles, lowering their alternatives for leisure and unwinding. This steady cycle may influence their psychological and emotional well-being, says the skilled.

Tips to scale back examination stress in kids

Examination stress can result in complications, nausea, muscle pressure, speedy heartbeat, sweating and trembling in some circumstances. These are simply a few of the indicators of examination stress. However for those who don’t need your baby to expertise all this, there are some things you and lecturers can do.

1. Create a constructive classroom setting

Academics can present reduction from examination stress by making a supportive and constructive classroom setting, says Mittal. They’ll encourage open communication, supply research ideas and methods, present common suggestions, and set reasonable expectations.

2. Organise stress-relief actions

Academics can even provide you with stress-relief actions for college students, suggests Mittal. So, the listing can embody mindfulness workout routines, experiential studying, project-based studying and group discussions. All this may also help college students handle their stress ranges successfully and have eternal studying.

3. Set reasonable expectations

You must keep away from inserting extreme strain in your baby to attain unrealistic targets. Dad and mom and lecturers ought to set achievable expectations that contemplate the kid’s talents and studying type, says Dr Ghosh. A balanced strategy to teachers reduces the worry of failure and the ensuing stress.

4. Encourage breaks and leisure actions

Each mother and father and lecturers can emphasise the significance of breaks and leisure actions throughout research intervals. Breaks enable the mind to relaxation and rejuvenate, main to raised focus and retention. Partaking in hobbies, bodily actions and spending time with pals can even function wholesome distractions from exam-related stress.

In case your baby nonetheless has examination stress and has issue sleeping or incessantly will get moody, it is best to seek the advice of a psychologist.