Even earlier than getting his ninth grade last examination outcomes, 15-year-old Lourembam Sanathoi began taking teaching lessons for the traumatic tenth grade board exams. He says, “If I begin getting ready early, I can 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 latest announcement by India’s Ministry of Schooling 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 mates 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’ve to be up with them at odd hours too.”
Constructive and destructive sides of two board exams in a 12 months
Examination stress or nervousness linked with it might’t be taken calmly. Final 12 months, the Nationwide Council for Academic Analysis and Coaching (NCERT) discovered that round 80 % kids finding out in grades 9 to 12 endure from nervousness as a consequence of 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 should put together for and carry out in two units of board exams inside a brief span of time. She tells Well being Pictures, “This may result in larger 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 seem for the board exams. The headmistress of the Central Board of Secondary Schooling college says, “College students may really feel much less anxious in regards to the outcomes since they’ve a chance for enchancment within the subsequent cycle and the syllabus might be divided into two halves. This might probably cut back the stress related to a single high-stakes examination.”
Dr Rituparna Ghosh, Medical Psychologist, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai additionally sees constructive and destructive 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 leads to the primary try. This might probably cut 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 might encourage college students to take care of constant research habits all year long, probably main to raised preparation, says the professional.
3. Studying from expertise
College students who take the primary examination might use their expertise to determine areas of enchancment and develop higher methods for the second try. This may assist them to handle stress extra successfully.
The destructive aspect of two board exams in a 12 months
1. Greater frequency
Conducting board exams twice a 12 months might result in a extra frequent cycle of stress for college students. Making ready for exams requires vital 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 might 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 larger 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. Impression 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 might need fewer breaks between examination cycles, lowering their alternatives for leisure and unwinding. This steady cycle might affect their psychological and emotional well-being, says the professional.
Tricks to cut back examination stress in kids
Examination stress can result in complications, nausea, muscle pressure, fast heartbeat, sweating and trembling in some instances. These are simply a number of the indicators of examination stress. However in the event you don’t need your little one to expertise all this, there are some things you and academics can do.
1. Create a constructive classroom surroundings
Lecturers can present reduction from examination stress by making a supportive and constructive classroom surroundings, says Mittal. They will encourage open communication, provide research ideas and strategies, present common suggestions, and set reasonable expectations.
2. Organise stress-relief actions
Lecturers may provide you with stress-relief actions for college students, suggests Mittal. So, the record can embody mindfulness workouts, experiential studying, project-based studying and group discussions. All this might help college students handle their stress ranges successfully and have eternal studying.
3. Set reasonable expectations
It’s best to keep away from putting extreme strain in your little one to realize unrealistic targets. Mother and father and academics ought to set achievable expectations that think about the kid’s talents and studying type, says Dr Ghosh. A balanced method to teachers reduces the worry of failure and the ensuing stress.
4. Encourage breaks and leisure actions
Each mother and father and academics can emphasise the significance of breaks and leisure actions throughout research durations. Breaks permit the mind to relaxation and rejuvenate, main to raised focus and retention. Participating in hobbies, bodily actions and spending time with mates may function wholesome distractions from exam-related stress.
In case your little one nonetheless has examination stress and has problem sleeping or steadily will get moody, it is best to seek the advice of a psychologist.
