UAE | Education

New exam format elicits mixed response from pupils

It was a day of mixed reactions as Grade 12 pupils following the national curriculum sat for their first-term finals on Monday across the UAE.

  • By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:33 December 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Students of Shaima School take their examination in Sharjah. The examination for most pupils in public and private schools following the national curriculum is expected to finish on January 15.
  • Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News

Dubai: It was a day of mixed reactions as Grade 12 pupils following the national curriculum sat for their first-term finals on Monday across the UAE.

The art stream had their first final in physics as it is compulsory for them to take this subject, but it is less advanced than the material covered in the science stream, who will be starting their finals tomorrow.

"It was a very difficult final because we were not prepared for such indirect questions. The ministry wants us to become geniuses overnight. It is well-known that we [public education] are weak academically and the reform taking place is beyond our capacity at this stage," said a frustrated Rashid Khalifa, a pupil at Al Shafi'i School for boys.

His classmate Mohammad Abir said, "I don't think I did well at all in this final." The two pupils said they almost memorised every equation and review paper they had and were hoping the exam will have similar questions but were surprised to find it requiring "a lot of thinking, analysing, and problem-solving," said Khalifa.

"Most pupils learn such skills at very young ages but we are exploring it for the first time. We were not trained to solve equations with such skills," said Rashid Eisa.

Easy

However, majority of the female pupils said it was a fairly easy exam, which had a variety of questions.

"The questions were related to the curriculum but required analytical skills which is required at this stage in our education. I am satisfied with my performance in the exam," said Ameena Mohammad, from Al Soufouh Public School for Girls. Her words were echoed by Bu Tina Abdullah adding she was pleased by yesterday's organisation and final. The Education Ministry recently changed the examination timing. The finals now start at 10am instead of the earlier from 8.30am.

"The new timing is a blessing and gives us enough time to have breakfast and review for our test. I hope this decision also applies to our finals for the next term as well," said Aisha Abdullah.

According to Entisar Eisa, Principal of Marya Al Qubtia School, the first day was "very well organised. The girls showed up on time and we received the papers on time. Many girls were pleased by the exam with only few complaining."

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