Tests Measure Stress, Not Skills, article by Aaliyah Sharma

 Tests Measure Stress, Not Skills

        In my opinion, tests don’t truly measure knowledge or intelligence. Instead, they measure stress. Whenever students sit for an exam, the pressure to perform often overshadows their ability to think clearly or demonstrate what they’ve actually learned. Instead of showing understanding, test results often reflect how well someone can handle anxiety in a timed, high-pressure environment. This makes it unfair for students who may understand the topic well but struggle under pressure. In the end, tests often reward people who can control their nerves rather than genuine comprehension.

        For many students, stress impacts memory and focus. Even if they studied hard, the fear of failure can cause them to forget information or make simple mistakes. Meanwhile, others who are naturally calm or better at guessing may score higher, even if they didn’t understand the material deeply. This creates a system that values confidence over preparation. It also discourages students who might be intelligent and hardworking but don’t perform well in stressful situations.

        Tests also ignore creativity and critical thinking. They usually reward memorization and fast recall instead of true comprehension or problem-solving. Students learn to study for the test rather than for life, focusing on short-term recall instead of lasting understanding. Tests fail to capture the depth of a student’s curiosity or ability to think in new and meaningful ways.

        In conclusion, tests don’t accurately measure intelligence, effort, or understanding. They mainly measure how well someone copes with stress. If schools truly want to know what students can do, they should replace tests with projects, discussions, or real-world tasks that show genuine learning, not just test-taking ability. True education should be about understanding, creativity, and growth, not memorizing facts for a few stressful hours.

Thank you,

Aaliyah Sharma