TOEFL® essay: In some classes, course grades are based on solely on exams...

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Question: In some classes, course grades are based on solely on exams, while other classes, grades are based more on class participation than on exams. Which type of grading do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your response.

It is a hot topic in my country whether to set students free by offering chance to attend to the class only test day to take the axam or to obligate them to attend and participate class on each course day. The first method has lots of weaknesses whereas grading system includes class participation and attendance have uncountable strengths.

The most important drawback of the grading system based on plain exam results is that it incents students to memorize the definitions and examples rather than attending the courses and comprehending the topic comprehensively at the class day. To illustrate that think of a literature exam that you are going to you take by tomorrow. It is an easier way to lay on your bed and memorize all the subjects including definitions, examples, descritions rather than joining all the classes regularly. Therefore, this brings vagueness on how well the students undertand the course and topics. The second disadvantage is that it is also bad for even attended and participated students as they may have some pyshical or mental problems on test day and thus they may not do good at the exam.

On the other hand, grading system based on attendance and participation to the courses offers many advantages. First, the students participating the classes get to chance to think deeply and make implementations about what was learnt from the lecture. Moreover, it gives students the opportunity to synthesize what was learnt and the course materials by presenting and conflicting ideas together by other students.

In conclusion, a simple grading system regarding only the exam results is not an appropriate method because of allowing students to neglect the classes and giving them the ability to pretend they know the course materials and topics although they don't while participation based grading encourages students to improve themselves by discussing, asking, wondering, and applying what was learnt in classes.

TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture on American social history