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Extra Time in Exams
Poll
Extra Time in Exams
13
What are your opinions on people being allowed extra time in exams?
I mean it is understandable if the person has a serious disability or something but I dont really think its fair on the rest of us - I mean examinations are supposed to be flat out, fair, level exams so that employers and universities have something to judge people on which they have been tested at the same level. But if people who are unjustly getting all these special dispensations then surely it just devalues the entire system - the system is far too open to abuse in my opinion?
I mean it is understandable if the person has a serious disability or something but I dont really think its fair on the rest of us - I mean examinations are supposed to be flat out, fair, level exams so that employers and universities have something to judge people on which they have been tested at the same level. But if people who are unjustly getting all these special dispensations then surely it just devalues the entire system - the system is far too open to abuse in my opinion?
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Reply 1
I think it's fair in some cases, specifically severe ones. But I witness people getting it for really stupid reasons where many students seem to get it for simply not being as intelligent (or not working as hard) as others. Also people who are native speakers of other languages seem to get it which is really unfair when most speak english perfectly fine. And whats with people doing exams on computers?!? I see them partake in innumerable sporting activities yet they don't seem to be able to write?
Reply 2
19
Disagree. Disabilities can be made clear to a potential employer. Giving advantageous conditions in exams, however, is wrong.
Reply 3
i hate it when my exam teacher pops above my head while i'm still writing (exam times up) and fights over the paper while i finish the last sentence....she said "finish your last sentence and put your pens down" thats what i was doing!! i got detention coz my sentences are too long -.-
Reply 4
People who think dyslexics should not get extra time simply dont understand what it is. If oyu are dyslexic you will have a large discreprancy between things such as verbal and non verbal reasoning tests and basicaly be slower at reading and writing and processing information, and yet dyslexics tend to be more clever than average in general.
An exam is suposed to test your ability. The time is set so that you should theoreticly have enough time to complete the exam. If your dyslexic, the slowness of processing speed when it ocmes to language means that it takes you longer. You can do the same question just aswell if not better but it takes you longer.
So is it not fair to give people extra time since they havy physiological reasons that mean it takes longer for them to process language seeing as with it they can achive a lot and without it they will achive a lot less. I mean honeslty if you give some one dumb or who simply does not work, all the time in the world he will not do well on the exam, at the end of the day its the knowledge thta gets you the marks, some people simply need more time ot put those thoughts down on paper.
An exam is suposed to test your ability. The time is set so that you should theoreticly have enough time to complete the exam. If your dyslexic, the slowness of processing speed when it ocmes to language means that it takes you longer. You can do the same question just aswell if not better but it takes you longer.
So is it not fair to give people extra time since they havy physiological reasons that mean it takes longer for them to process language seeing as with it they can achive a lot and without it they will achive a lot less. I mean honeslty if you give some one dumb or who simply does not work, all the time in the world he will not do well on the exam, at the end of the day its the knowledge thta gets you the marks, some people simply need more time ot put those thoughts down on paper.
Reply 5
explains my long sentences...not really i just like long sentences. they look better than short ones. like this. see? its so short. i dont like that. *pokes titanium*
Reply 6
19
*titanium*
People who think dyslexics should not get extra time simply dont understand what it is. If oyu are dyslexic you will have a large discreprancy between things such as verbal and non verbal reasoning tests and basicaly be slower at reading and writing and processing information, and yet dyslexics tend to be more clever than average in general.
An exam is suposed to test your ability. The time is set so that you should theoreticly have enough time to complete the exam. If your dyslexic, the slowness of processing speed when it ocmes to language means that it takes you longer. You can do the same question just aswell if not better but it takes you longer.
So is it not fair to give people extra time since they havy physiological reasons that mean it takes longer for them to process language seeing as with it they can achive a lot and without it they will achive a lot less. I mean honeslty if you give some one dumb or who simply does not work, all the time in the world he will not do well on the exam, at the end of the day its the knowledge thta gets you the marks, some people simply need more time ot put those thoughts down on paper.
An exam is suposed to test your ability. The time is set so that you should theoreticly have enough time to complete the exam. If your dyslexic, the slowness of processing speed when it ocmes to language means that it takes you longer. You can do the same question just aswell if not better but it takes you longer.
So is it not fair to give people extra time since they havy physiological reasons that mean it takes longer for them to process language seeing as with it they can achive a lot and without it they will achive a lot less. I mean honeslty if you give some one dumb or who simply does not work, all the time in the world he will not do well on the exam, at the end of the day its the knowledge thta gets you the marks, some people simply need more time ot put those thoughts down on paper.
Yet with an A-level English pass, which they would otherwise not have had, it seems reasonable for someone to expect that they can process language quickly, and there are always situations where things like this may arise.
I'm not saying it's necessarily a good system. Are timed exams all that good at all? Would more coursework benefit everybody? Whether I am not defending the set up, I still don't believe that compensating for someone's disability is the way to go. It gives an improper reflection of what they are capable of.
Reply 7
Lib North
It gives an improper reflection of what they are capable of.
Or maybe the extra time gives the proper reflection. Before extra time, dyslexic where under achiving despite being typicaly slightly above average in intelegence, so why should someone who is capable of doign well at a good university not get in there because of bad exam results due to lack of time. Its like saying you shouldnt be aloud to wear glasses since you obviously where never meant to see properly so its unfair to levle the playing field and let you see well.
It may seem like an extreme example but thats all it is doing, it is leveling the playing feilds since with out extra time dyslexics score lower than people of the same intelegence that are not dyslexic.
Reply 8
19
Exams have never been an assessment of intelligence.
Are they capable of doing well at a good university? After all, uni exams aren't much varied from what you do in the final years of secondary school. If they think they can do well at uni, then they can make that case and see what the university thinks about it. There are plenty of disability and wider access type departments in universities in this country, they are quite capable of judging for themselves.
The difference between glasses and extra time in exams is that it will be very rare when someone is without a pair of glasses. Plus eyesight isn't what is being assessed; but by imposing any time limit at all, the inference is that time does matter.
Are they capable of doing well at a good university? After all, uni exams aren't much varied from what you do in the final years of secondary school. If they think they can do well at uni, then they can make that case and see what the university thinks about it. There are plenty of disability and wider access type departments in universities in this country, they are quite capable of judging for themselves.
The difference between glasses and extra time in exams is that it will be very rare when someone is without a pair of glasses. Plus eyesight isn't what is being assessed; but by imposing any time limit at all, the inference is that time does matter.
Reply 9
15
I don't see how having more time could be fair. I think it's best to leave the exam system the way it is for so many years. If it didn't work, then in such a long time, it would've changed already.
Allowing people to have more time will be very problematic - do the others stay in the exam room? or do they leave in silence? What if suddenly information leaks?
Allowing people to have more time will be very problematic - do the others stay in the exam room? or do they leave in silence? What if suddenly information leaks?
Reply 10
13
I have extra time in my exams, I suffer from arthritis which makes it difficult for me to write, plus sitting there for 2/3 hours at a time can leave me in agony with back and neck pain, so I am also allowed to take regular breaks to move round.
I did get the option of be allowed to use a computer but chose not to, as I didnt think I needed it. I have always done my exams separately in a room by myself so its not like its a problem to other people, I dont disturb anyone or anything like that.
I dont see what the problem is. People that have medical problems and disabilities should be allowed special arrangements, why not? If I had to write all my work in the time limit given there is no way I would even finish half the paper- how is that fair??
Also, I know of a couple of people on my course who have special arrangements made, but like me, they all have medical conditions that affect their ability to complete exams on time. Im not aware of anyone who has extra time and doesnt actually need it. Its actually quite hard to get special arrangements anyway- they dont just do it for everyone who asks you know, I know people who have been refused. I had to provide all of my medical notes, a letter from my GP explaining the problem then I had to go to a medical meeting with someone from the uni who assessed my needs, so its a long process.
I did get the option of be allowed to use a computer but chose not to, as I didnt think I needed it. I have always done my exams separately in a room by myself so its not like its a problem to other people, I dont disturb anyone or anything like that.
I dont see what the problem is. People that have medical problems and disabilities should be allowed special arrangements, why not? If I had to write all my work in the time limit given there is no way I would even finish half the paper- how is that fair??
Also, I know of a couple of people on my course who have special arrangements made, but like me, they all have medical conditions that affect their ability to complete exams on time. Im not aware of anyone who has extra time and doesnt actually need it. Its actually quite hard to get special arrangements anyway- they dont just do it for everyone who asks you know, I know people who have been refused. I had to provide all of my medical notes, a letter from my GP explaining the problem then I had to go to a medical meeting with someone from the uni who assessed my needs, so its a long process.
Reply 11
21
i can see both sides to this...
but overall i don't see why those that NEED extra time shouldn't have it. Why should a condition affect someones results. They could be an absolute genius when it comes to Mathematics, but when it comes to putting numbers on the page in the correct order they might struggle.
A persons general capabilites should be shown by their grades not their exam technique (but that's a different matter) so i think those that NEED it should have extra time.
but overall i don't see why those that NEED extra time shouldn't have it. Why should a condition affect someones results. They could be an absolute genius when it comes to Mathematics, but when it comes to putting numbers on the page in the correct order they might struggle.
A persons general capabilites should be shown by their grades not their exam technique (but that's a different matter) so i think those that NEED it should have extra time.
Reply 12
I think that those who need it should have extra time, I agree with titanium and the point that she makes about dyslexics, it takes longer for dyslexics to process language but that doesn't mean that they are less capable than other students, however if they were made to complete it in the same amount of time then their results could be significantly lower. Not everyone enters an exam on an equal level so I think allowances should be made.
Besides I, myself have been given extra time during an exam, I was ill and got 5 minutes for each time I threw up
.
Besides I, myself have been given extra time during an exam, I was ill and got 5 minutes for each time I threw up
.Reply 13
miss_world
I think that those who need it should have extra time, I agree with titanium and the point that she makes about dyslexics, it takes longer for dyslexics to process language but that doesn't mean that they are less capable than other students, however if they were made to complete it in the same amount of time then their results could be significantly lower. Not everyone enters an exam on an equal level so I think allowances should be made.
Besides I, myself have been given extra time during an exam, I was ill and got 5 minutes for each time I threw up.
Besides I, myself have been given extra time during an exam, I was ill and got 5 minutes for each time I threw up
.And the exact point of an exam is to see where people are on that level. Not make allowances so that everyone is equal artificially.
And besides, it's been stated already that dyslexics will often have a higher than average intelligence. Why should it be that people get extra time to do exams because of a disability that makes them more able to complete it?
Reply 14
14
The whole point of having a time limit in exams is so you can learn about time management, and learn not to send too much time on one question and should just put an answer down and move on.
Thats why extra time is for people with learning differcultys, so we are on the same level as other people since we tend to write slower and then don't have to worry about the time left.
Thats why extra time is for people with learning differcultys, so we are on the same level as other people since we tend to write slower and then don't have to worry about the time left.
Reply 15
extra time should be given as much as extra pay or a smaller workload is required of someone in the real world, ie., NONE.
temporary disabilities like breaking a writing hand obviously are a different case, but for permanent things, it is simply misrepresenting the value of labour a person can offer.
temporary disabilities like breaking a writing hand obviously are a different case, but for permanent things, it is simply misrepresenting the value of labour a person can offer.
Reply 16
15
Lib North
Disagree. Disabilities can be made clear to a potential employer. Giving advantageous conditions in exams, however, is wrong.
Agreed.
Exams are a reflection of your capabilities, for potential employers (eventuall). Unfortunately, having a disability which means you are less capable (not an attack of any kind, a fact.) and I don't think adjustments should be made.
If you were going into a job where your disability wasn't an issue, your CV should justify your grades which suffered, and if it's not an issue, they would be ignored.
If you are going into a job where your disability is an issue, then your grades should show you being less able than someone who has a higher grade.
My opinion.
Reply 17
11
I can see it from both sides.
My brother, who is a fairly bright A/B grade student has been awarded extra time before in his year 6 SATs, and hopefully is going to be for his year 9 SATs. He is not stupid, just a really slow worker. When he was born he was starved of oxygen which the doctors think affected his brain and he has been on the special needs register before. In all his tests he usually gets everything he does right, but he does not have the time to finish the whole paper unless he is given extra time. He does not sit there day dreaming in the exam, he works solid and really focuses, he just has a problem with getting his ideas down in a given time. Its in everything he does really, in English it is the worst as you have to write like a speeding bullet with essays and whatnot, but he also struggles to complete Maths and Science papers. Even when you have conversations with him it takes him longer to react than others, and for a few seconds he will just stare at you blankly
, which really annoys me as my brain is like the total opposite to his. In conversations in works really fast and I am already on to the next thing before the one is finished and I get bored listening to him ummm and urrrrrr. Without extra time in mock year 6 SATS he was getting level 3s. In the real things he got extra time and he got level 5 in Maths and Science, and a level 4 in English. At the end of the day it wasn't his fault he has this problem now.
On the other hand it does really annoy me when I am furiously writing away and then someone who doesn't even have special needs is sitting next to me chewing the end of their pen and staring into space.
At the end of the day though what harm does someone having a little extra time do? Ok, it may seem a little unfair at the time and people are going on about how exams teach how skills for real life like time management, but this is real life. There will always in life be someone who has an unfair advantage over you and you have to deal with it. I don't see little starving kids in Africa complaining because they were born into poverty, yet you are all complaining because someone else gets a few more minutes in an exam. Its not like they are letting the kids take their notes in with them!
My brother, who is a fairly bright A/B grade student has been awarded extra time before in his year 6 SATs, and hopefully is going to be for his year 9 SATs. He is not stupid, just a really slow worker. When he was born he was starved of oxygen which the doctors think affected his brain and he has been on the special needs register before. In all his tests he usually gets everything he does right, but he does not have the time to finish the whole paper unless he is given extra time. He does not sit there day dreaming in the exam, he works solid and really focuses, he just has a problem with getting his ideas down in a given time. Its in everything he does really, in English it is the worst as you have to write like a speeding bullet with essays and whatnot, but he also struggles to complete Maths and Science papers. Even when you have conversations with him it takes him longer to react than others, and for a few seconds he will just stare at you blankly
, which really annoys me as my brain is like the total opposite to his. In conversations in works really fast and I am already on to the next thing before the one is finished and I get bored listening to him ummm and urrrrrr. Without extra time in mock year 6 SATS he was getting level 3s. In the real things he got extra time and he got level 5 in Maths and Science, and a level 4 in English. At the end of the day it wasn't his fault he has this problem now.On the other hand it does really annoy me when I am furiously writing away and then someone who doesn't even have special needs is sitting next to me chewing the end of their pen and staring into space.
At the end of the day though what harm does someone having a little extra time do? Ok, it may seem a little unfair at the time and people are going on about how exams teach how skills for real life like time management, but this is real life. There will always in life be someone who has an unfair advantage over you and you have to deal with it. I don't see little starving kids in Africa complaining because they were born into poverty, yet you are all complaining because someone else gets a few more minutes in an exam. Its not like they are letting the kids take their notes in with them!
Reply 18
12
It seems to be pretty easy to obtain a Doctor's note allowing Extra Time. I agree that some people need it, but the numbers of people that seem to be getting these certificates, people I never thought eligible, is getting a little over the top.
Reply 19
14
King Leigh
Agreed.
Exams are a reflection of your capabilities, for potential employers (eventuall). Unfortunately, having a disability which means you are less capable (not an attack of any kind, a fact.) and I don't think adjustments should be made..
Exams are a reflection of your capabilities, for potential employers (eventuall). Unfortunately, having a disability which means you are less capable (not an attack of any kind, a fact.) and I don't think adjustments should be made..
As I just said in my post above, people with disabilities don't have an advantage when it comes to extra time, it puts us on level with the rest of you. Why should our grades suffer because it takes us longer to understand a question or because we write slower then the rest of you?
However, I do agree that it should only be given to people who really need it, like me: and I'm not just saying that. I know plenty of people who were granted extra time in exams and didn't even need it and there was me who didn't get anything and I genually needed help.
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