Exam time limits

[LondonHOPDad]

Hello

My DS (in Y7 only) has some exams coming up next week. They will be time limited, and I think aimed to mimic exams in later years.

He asked why exams were time limited as some people just write more slowly a, or they have the knowledge just don't answer as quickly.

I'd not really thought about it before, is it for logistical reasons or is the aim to test how children respond under pressure as opposed to actually testing their knowledge.

Not a major issue, just got me wondering.

Some children get extra time if they meet certain criteria (dyslexia for example). Or scribes or readers or computers.

But its like a competition really... and has to be "fair" to everyone.

I think with no limits then in essay subjects some pupils would write reams which would make marking a nightmare.
Perfectionist kids would never want to leave.
If everyone didn't stay to the end then early finishers would disturb late finishers.
How would you timetable more than one exam in a day.

Are you aware that some students with slow processing / handwriting get extra time.

Thanks both. I know some people get extra time, but I imagine some people not in those categories do run out of time.

I sat an exam myself last month with other adults, and some of those adults did run out of time and felt they would have done better with a bit more time.

I don't have a strong view either way, I really was just wondering as I can see both sides. Agreed open ended wouldn't work, just wonder if some should be longer, I wonder what % of kids don't finish due to time issues.

Part of the skill, an awareness of which shows intelligence, is to plan the time properly and to have a stab at every question. In A level essay subjects this is incredibly challenging and really sorts the most able kids from the rest of the cohort.

I think it could be tied up with how future employers could measure a candidate.

They would want a A* grade student who understands the assignment and manages the time effectively and does the work in the time allowed.

Students who get extra time can run out of time just like anyone else. They may even do so more.

I'm not a huge fan of the current exam system but it would be chaos to give them unlimited exam time, and what would be the benefit? Efficiency and productivity are much more valuable attributes in work than perfectionism. Your child shouldn't worry about this though. All through secondary school they will be working on their skills of getting stuff down in a limited time. And it is a skill.