TippinTaco said:
how does " How well I take tests" determine how much I learned through the class? what if I'm an A student but when I take the test, I get nervous and perspire until I fail it even though I personally know the material? Don't say this isn't possible because it happens all the time. I've taken tests and met with friends after class to find out we 're all sitting there going: @#$@#$@ I knew that answer.
Well that can test how you handle yourself under pressure, which is an important life skill. Sure you may be a whiz at making an excel spreadsheet in class but when you get a job and you have 2 hours to complete it that is a test, if you sweat and get nervous to the point you can't do it you failed your job and you may get fired, life's version of an F. Doesn't matter if you remember how to do the sum formula sitting in the bar with your buddies later if you can't do it when you had to at work.
The point of a test is just as much to see what you retained as it is if you can use it.
Lets take shooting as an example and use a LEO not your average joe. A LEO may be fine going to the range and shooting for fun with friends or cans in the back yard. He may be horrible and fail a qualifying test for his department because when under pressure he can't accurately fire his weapon, do you want him carrying a gun on duty when if needed it will be even more stressful and based on his testing he won't perform.
What about an electrician, You can have the best guy in the class answers questions all the time, knows the code by the book. But when sitting there with a mock up wall and other students around can't properly even run wire. Do you want that guy wiring up your house that you'll trust your family in?
While finals for a grade in a class may seem odd and not reflect your overall knowledge they like all other tests do show how you perform under pressure, which is the real world.
I didn't do well in lower school and left college because I didn't do well with their way of learning, I tested fine and worked well under pressure showing I knew it but couldn't follow the rules to get there. Really just two ways to look at things and no one way is right or wrong. I hate the process and like to skip right to proving myself. Others like the process and see no reason to prove themselves (not meant in a way to offend like you can't prove yourself). My job hates my process since it is often unconventional but at the same time i've turned the image of the company around in the markets I cover, my bottom line is results personally I don't care how I get there. Which is why I'm for finals.