During the last twenty years, the assessment of students has undergone a major transformation. Many educational institutions have shifted their focus from traditional examination towards a variety of innovative assessment techniques, as they believe traditional examination results are not often true to student’s ability. To what extent do you agree with the claim that traditional examination results are not true to the student’s ability?
Same question Compare 2 different answersSample Response
A change in the student evaluation process could be observed in the last two decades and formal examination has been less frequently used in many educational institutions in different parts of the world. The result of the paper-based exam, though used extensively in many schools, is believed to be less suitable for assessing the ability of learners, and I believe that it should be replaced by modern evaluation approaches.
To begin with, formal examinations, in many cases, do not reflect a pupil’s true ability and knowledge. Examination or any assessment test is meant to scrutinize a student objectively, but a formal test fails to do it, especially because it involved the memorise-and-pass technique. Some students take more time to produce any result and though they take a longer time, they have a better result in producing capability. Traditional exams would also score these sorts of students poorly.
On the other hand, modern assessment systems to test a student’s skill and knowledge can be quite effective and bring out far better results. For instance, oral presentations, assignments, sudden quizzes, class tests, course work, and other modern methods of evaluation can examine students from various perspectives and when the result is combined, the indication is far more accurate. These tests scrutinise a learner’s creativity, depth of knowledge, creativity, and ability to use the knowledge in the practical world, and are important parameters of a student’s reasoning and reflection of learning ability.
In conclusion, evaluating a learner accurately is important, and the best method for this should be in place. No doubt the formal examination system had been used for a long, but the time has come to adopt a more accurate and practical assessment system, and hence the shift towards a combination of innovative assessment systems is imperative.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix plural agreement Original: The result of the paper-based exam, though used extensively in many schools, is believed Suggested revision: The results of paper-based exams, though used extensively in many schools, are believed Why it matters: The general claim requires plural nouns and the agreeing verb “are.”
- 2. Use concise wording Original: assessing the ability of learners Suggested revision: assessing learners' abilities Why it matters: The possessive construction states the same idea more directly and naturally.
- 3. Clarify the pronoun Original: it should be replaced Suggested revision: paper-based examinations should be replaced Why it matters: The explicit noun removes ambiguity about whether “it” refers to the result or the examination.
- 4. Add articles correctly Original: Examination or any assessment test Suggested revision: An examination or any other assessment test Why it matters: A singular countable noun needs an article, and “other” clarifies the relationship between the alternatives.
- 5. Use the standard substitute Original: it Suggested revision: so Why it matters: “Do so” is the standard substitute for a previously stated action.
- 6. Use present tense Original: involved Suggested revision: involves Why it matters: The sentence describes a continuing feature of formal tests, so the present tense is required.
- 7. Clarify the technique Original: memorise-and-pass technique Suggested revision: memorisation-and-reproduction technique Why it matters: The revised noun phrase describes the criticised exam approach more precisely.
- 8. Match the claim's modality Original: would also score Suggested revision: may therefore score Why it matters: “May” fits a general possible consequence, while “therefore” links it to the preceding explanation.
- 9. Use the conventional term Original: sudden Suggested revision: pop Why it matters: An unannounced short test is conventionally called a “pop quiz.”
- 10. Use one word Original: course work Suggested revision: coursework Why it matters: “Coursework” is written as one word in this educational context.
- 11. Use plural agreement Original: the result is combined Suggested revision: the results are combined Why it matters: The sentence refers to results from several assessment methods, so both noun and verb should be plural.
- 12. Clarify the outcome Original: the indication is far more accurate Suggested revision: the overall indication is far more accurate Why it matters: “Overall” makes clear that the combined evidence produces the more accurate indication.
Suggested Rewrites
- The result of the paper-based exam, though used extensively in many schools, is believed The results of paper-based exams, though used extensively in many schools, are believed
- assessing the ability of learners assessing learners' abilities
- it should be replaced paper-based examinations should be replaced
- Examination or any assessment test An examination or any other assessment test
- it so
- involved involves
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response maintains a clear position and uses a logical discussion of traditional examinations and alternative assessment methods to address the question directly. Its main limitation is that some supporting claims, particularly about slower students, are expressed vaguely and several awkward word choices reduce precision. The highest-priority improvement is to develop each reason with a clearer cause-and-effect explanation and a specific, convincing example.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is sustained, and both the limitations of examinations and the value of alternative assessment are relevantly developed.
Explain the point about slower-performing students more precisely and support it with a concrete example.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through a clear introduction, two focused body paragraphs, and a consistent conclusion.
Use transitions that reflect the exact relationship between ideas and tighten progression within the first body paragraph.
Lexical Resource
A sufficiently wide vocabulary supports the discussion, although several collocations are awkward and creativity is unnecessarily repeated.
Replace vague phrases such as producing capability and reflection of learning ability with precise, natural academic wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates meaning clearly, but agreement, tense, and article errors recur.
Proofread complex sentences for consistent tense and accurate singular-plural agreement, especially around examination and result.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
During the last twenty years, the assessment of students has undergone a major transformation. Many educational institutions have shifted their focus from traditional examination towards a variety of innovative assessment techniques, as they believe traditional examination results are not often true to student’s ability. To what extent do you agree with the claim that traditional examination results are not true to the student’s ability?
Your response
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