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Essay on Online Exam

Students are often asked to write an essay on Online Exam in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Online Exam

Introduction.

Online exams are tests conducted via the internet. They are a popular method of evaluating students’ knowledge in the digital age.

Online exams offer flexibility. They can be taken from anywhere and at any time. They also provide instant results, saving time for both students and teachers.

Disadvantages

However, online exams also have drawbacks. They require a stable internet connection and a suitable device. Cheating can also be a problem, as it’s harder for teachers to monitor students.

Despite challenges, online exams are a convenient, modern approach to education assessment.

250 Words Essay on Online Exam

Introduction to online examinations.

The advent of the digital age has revolutionized many aspects of life, including education. Online examinations have become a significant component of this digital transformation. They are a method of assessing student knowledge, skills, and abilities over the internet, where physical presence in a classroom is unnecessary.

Advantages of Online Examinations

Online exams offer several benefits. Firstly, they provide flexibility as students can take them from any location, reducing travel time and expenses. Secondly, they allow for immediate feedback, facilitating quicker learning. Thirdly, they promote environmental sustainability by reducing paper usage.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite the advantages, online exams pose challenges such as technical issues, internet connectivity problems, and concerns about academic integrity. However, solutions like robust IT infrastructure, reliable internet connections, and sophisticated proctoring software can mitigate these issues.

Future of Online Examinations

As technology advances, online exams are set to become more sophisticated and user-friendly. Innovations like AI-powered proctoring, adaptive testing, and virtual reality could redefine the future of testing, making it more efficient and effective.

In conclusion, online examinations are a transformative educational tool that offers numerous benefits while posing some challenges. However, with technological advancements and effective solutions, they are poised to become an integral part of the education system, reshaping the way we assess learning and knowledge.

500 Words Essay on Online Exam

Online examinations have emerged as a revolutionary trend in the educational sector. They represent a shift from traditional pen-and-paper tests to digital platforms, providing a more efficient, reliable, and convenient evaluation method. This digital transformation in education is primarily driven by advancements in technology and the need for flexible learning environments.

The Mechanism of Online Examinations

Online exams typically involve a secure, internet-based platform where students log in to take their tests. The questions can be presented in various formats, including multiple-choice, short answer, essay, or even interactive formats like drag-and-drop. The system is designed to automatically grade the answers where possible, reducing the burden on educators and providing quick feedback to students.

One of the significant advantages of online examinations is their geographical independence. Students can take these exams from anywhere, reducing the need for physical infrastructure and travel. This accessibility can be especially beneficial for students residing in remote areas or for those with physical disabilities.

Moreover, online exams provide instant feedback, enhancing the learning experience. Students can quickly identify their areas of weakness and work on them immediately. This immediate feedback mechanism helps in improving the overall learning process and outcomes.

Challenges with Online Examinations

Despite the numerous benefits, online examinations also come with their set of challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the potential for academic dishonesty. Without physical supervision, students may resort to unfair means to score higher. Hence, ensuring academic integrity in an online environment requires sophisticated proctoring methods, including AI-based monitoring and identity verification systems.

Technical issues also pose a significant challenge. Not all students have access to reliable internet and suitable devices, leading to potential disparities in the examination process. Additionally, technical glitches during the exam can cause stress and negatively impact performance.

The Future of Online Examinations

The future of online examinations looks promising with the advent of advanced technologies. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics can further streamline the process by automating grading, providing personalized feedback, and identifying learning patterns.

However, it’s crucial to address the current challenges to ensure fairness and integrity. This involves improving the infrastructure, providing technical support, and implementing robust anti-cheating measures.

Online examinations represent a significant milestone in the evolution of education, providing numerous benefits over traditional methods. However, their successful implementation requires addressing the challenges they pose. With the right strategies and advancements in technology, online exams can revolutionize the educational landscape, making learning more accessible, efficient, and personalized.

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Essay On Online Education: In 100 Words, 150 Words, and 200 Words

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  • Sep 22, 2023

Essay On Online Education

Online education has emerged as a significant transformation in the global education landscape, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic . This essay explores the various facets of online education, from its inception to its advantages and disadvantages and its impact on learners and educators alike. The evolution of online education presents a new horizon for accessible and flexible learning .

Table of Contents

  • 1 Essay on Online Education in 100 words
  • 2 Essay on Online Education in 150 words
  • 3 Essay on Online Education in 200 words

Also Read: English Essay Topics

Also Read: How to Write an Essay in English

Also Read: Speech on Republic Day for Class 12th

Essay on Online Education in 100 words

Online education is a modern educational paradigm where students access instructional content through the internet. This innovative approach has gained immense popularity, especially after the pandemic, owing to its convenience and adaptability. It has enabled students of all ages to acquire knowledge from the comfort of their homes, transcending geographical barriers. Online education offers a diverse range of courses and resources, fostering continuous learning. However, it also presents challenges, such as dependency on technology and potential disengagement from the physical world.

Must Read: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing an Essay

Essay on Online Education in 150 words

Online education marks a revolutionary shift in how we acquire knowledge. It harnesses the power of the internet to deliver educational content to students, making learning more flexible and accessible. Technology advancements have accelerated the development of online education, enabling educational institutions to provide a wide range of courses and programmes through digital platforms.

One of the primary advantages of online education is its ability to cater to a diverse audience, regardless of geographical location or physical limitations. It eliminates the need for commuting and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom learning. However, online education also comes with its challenges. It requires self-discipline and motivation as students often learn independently. Additionally, prolonged screen time can have adverse effects on students’ physical and mental well-being, potentially leading to social disconnection.

Essay on Online Education in 200 words

Online education has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the internet serving as the conduit for delivering educational content. This transformation has been accelerated, particularly in response to the global pandemic. Online education transcends the boundaries of traditional learning, offering students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills from anywhere in the world.

One of the most compelling aspects of online education is its flexibility. Learners can access course materials and engage with instructors at their convenience, breaking free from rigid schedules. Moreover, this mode of education has expanded access to a vast array of courses, allowing individuals to pursue their interests and career goals without geographical constraints.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges associated with online education. It demands a high degree of self-discipline, as students must navigate the coursework independently. Prolonged screen time can have adverse effects on health and may lead to a sense of disconnection from society.

In conclusion, online education represents a significant shift in how we approach learning. It offers unprecedented access and flexibility but also requires learners to adapt to a more self-directed approach to education. Striking a balance between the benefits and challenges of online education is key to harnessing its full potential.

An organised argument backed up by proof and examples is the key to writing a convincing essay. Create a clear thesis statement at the outset, follow a logical progression of points, and then summarise your main points.

To improve readability, use clear and concise language, break your essay into paragraphs with clear topic sentences, and vary your sentence structure.

If you’re struggling to meet the word count, review your content to see if you can expand on your ideas, provide more examples, or include additional details to support your arguments. Additionally, check for any redundancies or irrelevant information that can be removed.

We hope that this essay blog on Online Education helps. For more amazing daily reads related to essay writing , stay tuned with Leverage Edu .

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Manasvi's flair in writing abilities is derived from her past experience of working with bootstrap start-ups, Advertisement and PR agencies as well as freelancing. She's currently working as a Content Marketing Associate at Leverage Edu to be a part of its thriving ecosystem.

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5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Exams

short essay on online examination

The emerging use of online measures in classes dominates today’s education. Everything slowly becomes automated from managing administrative tasks to conducting daily live classes. Moreover, advanced technologies are no longer confined to optimizing educational content and curricula designs of schools. Educational institutions also shifted to administering assessments online.

Although there are efforts to make tests online from the traditional pen-and-paper exams, it doesn’t change the ultimate purpose of achieving fair evaluation. Online learning goes hand-in-hand with digital assessments to ensure student’s mastery. As technologically advanced as online examinations can be, there are actually two sides of the coin you may want to look at. In this article, we will focus on the boons and banes of online exams for educational institutions.

Here are the FAQs you may find answers to upon reading the article:

  • What is an online assessment or online examination system?
  • How does an online examination system work?
  • Why are online exams advantageous to schools?
  • What are the disadvantages of online exams?
  • How can schools make the most out of their online exams? 

What is an online examination system?

The online examination system is the culmination of the student’s assessment by the use of the internet and available web technologies. Like the old familiar system of conducting exams, it aims to objectify the systematic evaluation of student’s mastery in individual subjects. A modern learning management system offers a platform in assisting schools to administer more organized online exams for students. 

Whether an assessment is formative or summative, the target in online exams is to digitize assessing the student’s competency-based skills. It creatively boosts the traditional examination system. In online exams, students no longer need to gather in a room and answer their test papers within a specified time. Likewise, teachers no longer need to retrieve individual answer sheets and check and disclose the scores to class after. Online exams definitely fastened up this process through electronic assessments. To further discuss, here are a more specific view of the pros of online exams:

Advantages of Online Exams

short essay on online examination

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1. Reduction of Time and Money Spent

Perhaps the ultimate advantage of implementing online exams is the reduction of time and money spent. By automating the process of assessment in schools, teachers and students can save time from both ends. There will be no need for students to gather and assemble to the campus and take the exam. Students from remote areas can take exams wherever they are using their devices. 

Also, there will be faster access for the online exam since the students no longer need to repeat filling out information unlike in the traditional test questionnaires. All data about the students who will take the exam is automatically recorded in the system. This way, the student’s job is to focus only on understanding the question and supplying the best answer.

On the other hand, the teachers can be relieved from the efforts of creating, distributing, and evaluating the test. The system of online examination eliminates the redundant and expensive process. The teachers no longer need to have the dreadful task of manually checking the test papers, not to mention the number of students they are handling. 

The interface the school had makes it easy-to-use for teachers since the students can instantly receive results after. Moreover, the teachers can take advantage of the auto-grading system led by the online exams. This lifts a lot of burden on the teacher’s end. Like the students, the teachers also don’t need to worry about the logistics as the exams were online.

2. Enhanced Safety and Privacy

short essay on online examination

The evident increase in efficiency using the online exam system will be a leverage for safety and privacy for students. Using online exam platforms in conducting quizzes and exams assists levels of security and privacy. It allows no room for any malicious practices like the manipulation of exam results and outcomes. Also, the instant generation of exam results ensures the students have a transparent evaluation record from the school.

In addition, students receive their exam results confidentially as opposed to teachers announcing or posting them to class. A secure virtual environment also safeguards the identity of exam takers. Lastly, the digital counterparts of the examination allow students to answer in the comfort of their homes. 

3. Environmental-Friendly

short essay on online examination

Sustainability or going environmental-friendly in conducting exams is another perk for schools. Educational institutions going digital in their exams show the apparent result of a paperless assessment system. This is also in line with a more inexpensive option of devising exam management for students.

In addition, teachers no need to print question papers that will be of lesser importance after recording the results. Most schools may opt to recycle test papers quarter to quarter however, it may lead to more and more clutter for teachers afterwards. In short, there won’t be wasted of papers which ensure an economical take for conducting examinations. 

4. Highly Accessible to both Teachers and Students

Since the assessment platform is online, it will be accessible for students to take exams remotely. Electronic assessment using the latest technology for schools allows interactive access for end-users such as the teachers and students. The teachers will have the option of adding and importing questions to the automated system. There will also be a more systematic distribution of a set of questions scheduled by batch.

An online examination system also enables teachers to benefit from the auto-grading system. Moreover, it allows student access from multiple devices as per the arrangement of the educational institution. Whether they use a mobile phone , a laptop, a tablet, or a personal computer, the students can have access to a particular online exam.

5. Hassle-Free Process of Assessment

A reliable school management software helps teachers create test questions with full customization. With this, teachers can easily choose and personalize the type of test questions in the exam whether an identification type, true or false, multiple-choice and etc. Also, teachers don’t need to worry about checking essay-type questions in online exams. They can just provide a rubric in the platform which students may consider in writing the essay, thus teachers can check easier. There are online exam softwares available that exclusively assist teachers in the assessment process. It definitely makes school examinations hassle-free.

Now that we identified some of the many pros of online exams, let’s take a look at the disadvantages:

Disadvantages of Online Exams

1. susceptible to malpractices like cheating & plagiarism.

Although the automation of student assessment is beneficial to schools, there can still be a possibility of students resorting to cheating in their online exams. This is true especially if the assessment does not have a timer incorporated in it. They may get external help from their classmates or other people at home. As much as the school wants the students to have independent learning, this occurrence is also inevitable online like in the traditional system. This doesn’t mean that cheating shall be normalized, though.

Another malpractice in online exams can be students committing plagiarism in their exams. This can be done by students opening another browser or tab to search for specific answers on search engines. Given this disadvantage, educational institutions may opt to use apps that block copy-pasting features to the exam. Also, the best intervention is to either set a timer or include situational questions for better comprehension. 

2. Internet Dependency

short essay on online examination

Internet dependency is a vulnerability of conducting online exams. Internet connectivity is a basic requirement for online students in the first place. A challenge here is the net stability given the fact that it is dependent on the weather and signal. In order for exam takers to access the electronic assessment, they should have a stable connection to the web. To intervene with this, educational institutions can choose to have updates from the internet connectivity of the students especially before the day of the online exam. Alternatively, the schools with virtual exams may automate re-scheduling the assessment for the online student who happens to miss them. 

3. Great Demand for Computer Literacy

short essay on online examination

Another apparent challenge for conducting online exams would be the illiteracy of computer technologies. Since it is still the age when the old and familiar overlaps with the new, schools are still in transition to adopting online education. Due to this, there is an underlying need for educational institutions to invest in upgraded systems.

Both the students and the teachers are needed to be equipped with basic knowledge and skills in utilizing the latest technologies. The school must train its teachers in the required competencies in conducting assessments. Besides, most learning management systems feature exam modules that are easy to follow for teachers, even those without technical expertise. 

4. Requires Technical Equipment 

The infrastructural barriers will also be a con in conducting online exams. This is for students who live in remote locations wherein there’s little to no access to electricity and internet connections. In relation to the previous point about internet dependency, lack of technical requirements is also a problem. The worst-case scenario is when the student is in the middle of completing the exam and there isn’t any backup for the data entry in the online exam. Because of this, educational institutions may opt to consider ahead of time whether the students are amenable to attend the exam schedule. This can be along with the reasons like no wi-fi connection, lack of technological devices, or power outages. This way, both ends can make arrangements before the actual test to ensure student attendance. Having earlier discussions of student’s concerns like this can avoid the hassle and the failure of test response. 

5. Lack of Facilitating Time

Lastly, the lack of proctors and facilitators is another blind spot for conducting online exams. Since the assessment will be conducted remotely, there will be no teachers that will check on a student’s integrity while answering the exam. Integrating digital timers is a way to secure student compliance during the online exam, however, students don’t have the same typing speed. So, timers are limited in their function. It is believed that online proctoring can be possible, especially for online schools with little population. This works with the use of a screen-sharing feature to monitor the students while answering. 

The Bottomline

Educational institutions that are able to push through their academic targets are still in progress for conducting standardized tests online. After all, the main goal of online exams is to ensure educational continuity for the students. A secured virtual environment is a creative platform to assess students in a hassle-free and accessible system. Administering online exams for teachers can help them save time in checking and grading the students. It primarily eliminates human error, moreover, online exams are economical! The banes such as technical problems and lack of training in using devices are understandable and are yet to improve. For now, at least most can see and appreciate the possibility of schools going entirely digital.

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Creating and Administering Online or Remote Exams: Considerations and Effective Practices

COVID-19 and the dramatic increase in remote, hybrid, and online teaching have prompted many CU faculty and instructional support staff to rethink many elements of their courses and question previously held assumptions about how people learn. How to administer exams is a particularly thorny issue, especially for courses with large enrollments for which fact-based, multiple choice exams are the norm. This guide highlights key considerations, concerns, and effective practices for remote and online exams.

A few things to keep in mind as you work with students during this time:

  • Start with care and trust. Remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and that this is not the “new normal,” but rather a constantly changing environment with an overwhelming amount of information and daily disruptions contributing to additional stress. Meaningful teaching and long-lasting learning depend on the mutual trust of educator and learner. This has never been truer than it is now, when the where and how of teaching and learning are so disrupted.
  • We can’t always see the challenges. Researchers have found that people are suffering profound mental health effects associated with the pandemic . It is common to have feelings of fear and anxiety, loneliness, depression, and negative impacts on existing health conditions. CU students may have trouble concentrating, sleeping, or eating, and may increase substance use during this time – all of which have substantive impacts on learning and decision-making.
  • Be straightforward, clear, and accommodating. The pandemic has had inequitable and compounding effects on CU students and their families. A survey conducted at research universities at the end of spring 2020 found that students – especially first-generation students – suffered financial hardships that may have prevented them from returning this fall. Many of these students do not have access to adequate technology or the internet, and often face food and housing insecurity.

Effective Practices for Online Exams

Done well, exams can be effective assessments of learning, and can be used to help students focus attention on key concepts and materials. Facing an exam in an unfamiliar format or with unusual expectations can contribute to additional stress and test-taking anxiety that can interfere with students’ abilities to effectively demonstrate what they have learned. Educators should be mindful of the ways in which exams can be designed and administered to support students and their learning.

Align Assessments to Course Learning Outcomes 

When deciding whether to use an exam to assess learning, consider how the assessment aligns with learning goals . Do the exam content and format allow students to demonstrate their understanding of key course concepts or ask them to apply skills learned in the course? Good assessments in any teaching modality starts with clear alignment of learning tasks to course learning goals. Assessments should focus on what instructors want students to know or be able to do and not punish students for hidden or implicit expectations (e.g., writing syntax errors).

Use Multiple Low-Stakes Assessments Rather than Fewer High-Stakes Exams

Research shows that low stakes assessments promote learning by providing frequent formative feedback and multiple opportunities for improvement. Low-stakes assessments reduce testing anxiety and build student confidence as learners . Low-stakes assignments provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning throughout the semester, as well as foster a feeling among students that they are making measurable progress. Brief writing assignments such as one-minute essays, rapid response activities using tools like Clickers, Quizzes in Canvas, Mentimeter , peer- and self-assessments using rubrics, and online discussion forums can keep students engaged and allow instructors to check in on their learning.

Create Exams that Require Higher Order Thinking

If one of the course goals is for students to demonstrate higher-order thinking skills, create exams that allow students to demonstrate learning through analysis, synthesis, or application of concepts to new scenarios . This approach asks students to think critically and tackle tough problems.

Consider Open-Book Exams

“Open-book” exams encourage students to use their course resources to synthesize or evaluate information and go deeper into concepts . Open-book exams tap into students’ critical thinking, analysis, and application skills. Have students show their work, explain answers, interpret data visualizations, or draw connections between ideas. Make sure to clearly communicate your expectations for what resources students are allowed to use, and whether or not they are allowed to work with other students.

Design Assessments with Equity in Mind

Inequities in higher education persist under normal conditions and have come into sharp relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must be careful not to inadvertently further or exacerbate inequity through pedagogical or technological choices. The information provided here is meant to support meaningful, learner-centered assessment. Creating assessments with equity in mind means involving students in the assessment process such as using student-generated exam questions; offering flexible options for students to demonstrate their learning; and being able to adapt your exam strategy to student needs .

Concerns about Cheating

Faculty may be concerned about cheating and the effects on learning and grades. While the strategies discussed in the previous section minimize the opportunity for cheating, some students will still choose this path. The following recommendations directly address these concerns while minimizing the need for proctoring.

Encourage Accountability with the CU Honor Code.

Ask students to sign a pledge or write a statement in their own words that they will uphold the Honor Code. CU’s Honor Code states, "On my honor, as a University of Colorado Boulder student I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance." You can include the CU Honor Code statement at the beginning of the online quiz or in the exam instructions.

Use an Exam with Random Item Generator

Canvas Quizzes can draw from a bank of test questions and randomly assign questions to individual students based on set parameters. Some question types allow the instructor to populate test items with different values so that students must solve the same kind and level of problem but cannot share answers with others.

Randomize Answer Options

If your exam includes multiple choice questions, you can randomize the order of options so each student is presented with a random order. This setting is available in the Quizzes tool in Canvas. This will make it more difficult for students to share correct answers.

Set Time Limits

While it is important to provide sufficient time for students to complete the exam so that they can account for competing issues such as their living situation and access to technology, setting a time limit for students to complete the exam could also reduce the opportunities to violate academic honesty. Remember to allow extended time for students who have accommodations through Disability Services .

Canvas Tools for Online Exams

Quizzes in canvas.

Instructors can administer online exams using the Quizzes tool in Canvas , CU Boulder’s learning management system. The tool has several question types available, including Multiple Choice, Matching, Numerical, Formula, and Essay. Most of the question types can be auto-graded. Instructors can control when a quiz is available and how much time students have to complete a quiz, as well as which results are released to students and when they are released. Quizzes makes it easy to adjust the exam availability window, time limit, and number of attempts for individual students (e.g., if a student needs to take an exam at a different time or needs extra time to complete it). Quizzes also integrates with Proctorio .

Instructors can get support for setting up their exams in Canvas from OIT’s Learning Technology Consultants . OIT offers training sessions on Quizzes in Canvas, both as live sessions and as on-demand recordings . 

Exam setting and configurations strategies to minimize academic dishonesty:

  • Set exam time limit
  • Randomize the order of multiple-choice question answers
  • Randomize the order of questions
  • Create a question bank and set the exam to pull a randomized set of questions for each student
  • Set the exam to not release correct answers to the students until all the students complete the exam

Assignments in Canvas

The Assignments tool in Canvas can be used to evaluate papers and a variety of project formats, including video. Assignments has a flexible rubric tool that can help make grading faster and more consistent. Rubrics are also a great way to set student expectations for the quality of work. Speedgrader allows instructors to leave comments and annotations directly on student papers, as well as to provide overall text and video comments on student submissions.

Online Exam Proctoring Software: Proctorio

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) supports Proctorio , an online exam proctoring software that is available for faculty to enable in their Canvas courses. Proctorio simulates an in-person testing experience through automated user authentication and monitoring of the test taker. Proctorio requires that exam takers have a computer with camera, speaker and microphone. Proctorio is a robust platform that meets CU’s privacy and security policies; however it must be noted that some faculty and students have expressed concerns about its use in college courses.

Uses for Proctorio

Faculty may choose to use online exam proctoring out of concerns for academic integrity, for verifying the test-taker’s identity, or for administering multiple-choice exams to courses with large enrollments. CU faculty who use the tool say that it is easy to use and reduces cheating. Proctorio gives instructors granular control over the types of test taker behaviors they would like to monitor. For information about Proctorio’s features and training sessions, visit OIT’s Proctorio service page .

Concerns About Online Exam Proctoring

Online exam proctoring has generated concerns from educators and student privacy rights proponents over the invasive methods that the platform uses to monitor student body and eye movements, access the student’s computer, and surveil the student’s surroundings. Instructors and students have likewise noted inequities such as students’ limited access to technology or bandwidth, stressful test conditions or shared living spaces with no access to private places to take the exam. Online proctoring platforms like Proctorio can also be incompatible with assistive technology such as screen readers, tablet computers, or outdated computer systems.

In July 2020, the Remote Exam Working Group in the College of Engineering & Applied Science recommended against using Proctorio, citing privacy concerns and the sense of mistrust that its use can create between students and instructors. For more information and recommendations, read their report, Remote Exam Best Practices .

If You Decide to Use Proctorio...

Offer a practice exam before the actual test. This will help reduce stress, as well as work out any potential issues. Step-by-step instructions on how to set up a practice test as well as a pre-built practice test that you can upload to your course are available in the Set Up a Practice Quiz tutorial on the OIT website.

Provide an alternate arrangement. If remote proctoring must be used in your classes, allow exemptions or alternatives for students who have limited connectivity or do not have access to the technology or equipment required for using Proctorio, and for those who need to take the exam in another time zone. Alternatives will also need to be extended to students with disability accommodations, students who do not feel safe exposing their environment, and those who express mental health concerns. Please consult OIT's Proctorio Accessibility page  for information about limitations of the tool for users with disabilities.

Include a statement about online proctoring in the syllabus. It is recommended that instructors include information about Proctorio in the course syllabus, as well as link to the Proctorio security and privacy information and explain what to expect should students need an exception from using Proctorio . OIT provides a suggested syllabus statement that you can adapt to your course.

Above all, do not require a higher level of proof of learning in an online class than you would in a face-to-face course.

Further Reading & Resources

For more information or assistance with creating effective assessments:

CU Boulder College of Engineering & Applied Science Remote Exam Best Practices

Office of Information Technology Learning Technology Consultants

  OIT Proctorio Service Page

  OIT Canvas Service Page

  Bay View Alliance Resources for Assessing Student Learning Online

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‘Sitting exams online, alone and during a pandemic is a huge thing – it’s OK to feel anxious or angry about it.’

Studying solo: how to prepare for online exams at home

How you approach revision can take off some of the pressure when sitting university exams alone and from home

A fter about 17 years in formal education, some university students are being asked to take their final exams online – in a different format than they’ve ever experienced. This comes on top of a pandemic that has already taken a toll on their mental health .

But there are upsides, too. Remote exams are more flexible, more mindful of individual needs, and acknowledge the pressures students are under. Here are some ways students can tailor their revision to make the most of online assessment.

Create a revision routine

First, decide what topics to cover, and what kinds of knowledge or learning the exam is testing. Tutors can help with this, as well as past papers and sample answers.

Once you’ve got your exam timetable, divide the remaining time by the number of topics to create a study schedule. Building routine into your revision is especially important right now, according to Delroy Hall, senior counsellor and wellbeing practitioner at Sheffield Hallam University. “Covid-19 and the pandemic has now disrupted all that [routine], so we have to be intentional in how we manage our lives.”

Hall recommends the Pomodoro technique, too : 25 minutes of study followed by a five-minute break, then repeat. This is helpful if you feel overwhelmed by revision or struggle to stay focused.

Learn concepts – not just words

Start reviewing course notes, marked essays, lecture videos and important source material. But, Hall says, “learn concepts and ideas, don’t memorise lots of text”. Open book exams let you show you know how to apply learning, not what you can remember. But while this takes some pressure off, hunting for sources during a test can be distracting.

One solution is to make summary sheets with key ideas, quotes and analysis. This active revision helps you understand and remember information, and also makes it easier to find what you need during the exam.

Ideally you’ll start revision early, with existing notes to review rather than learning new material. “We’ve got more stress than normal, so you want to do what you can to release that,” Hall says.

Don’t panic if you’ve left it late, though. Make a plan, but prioritise topics by the time available. Hall’s “worry sheet” technique can also help. Fold a sheet of paper in half, and fill one side with things you can control (such as meal times and bed times) and the other with things you can’t (when the vaccine will be ready). Then focus on doing the things you can control, and let the rest take care of itself.

Tackle exam anxieties

Sitting exams online, alone and during a pandemic is a huge thing – it’s OK to feel anxious or angry about it. There are also ways to manage the worries. Try to minimise stress by creating an exam space that is separate from your revision zone: sit at a desk or the kitchen table, for example, rather than in bed.

Check if your university has exam walkthroughs online. These show what the process will be like, from logging in to uploading answers. Try to download, log in and practise using any recommended software in advance. And if you’re worried about not having a computer or internet connection during the exam, ask your university to loan you a laptop, dongle, or other essential kit.

If 24- and 48-hour exams are new to you, go through a dry run of these, too. It’s not about staying at your desk for days. You’ll feel and perform better with a schedule that balances cranking out answers with eating, sleeping and relaxing.

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Tips for Taking Online Exams

image of someone taking an online exam

For some students, taking an online exam is a new and somewhat bewildering experience. They don’t know what to expect, and aren’t certain of the skills and strategies that will enable them to perform at their best. On a good note, many of the steps they’d take to complete an online exam are quite similar to those that they’d engage in as they prepare for an in-class test; however, the online environment does present some differences that warrant a bit of extra awareness and preparation. Many faculty use exam integrity tools like LockDown Browser or test monitoring software. Students should be aware they may need to download and learn how to use tools like these.

In their book  E-Learning Companion: A Student’s Guide to Online Success,  Fourth Edition , Ryan Watkins and Michael Corry provide several recommended steps that students can take in order to succeed on their online exams. We’ve adapted them below. You might want to share these tips with students.

Before the Online Exam: Prepare

  • Read and understand the test guidelines. Be sure you can answer these questions: Will the test take place at a specific date and time, or can you take the exam at any point during a particular window of time? How much time will you have to complete the test? Can you take the test at home, or must you take the exam in a specific location (e.g., a campus computer lab)? Are there any other important, “need to know” factors outlined by the instructor?
  • Know the test format. What kinds of questions will the instructor use on the exam—multiple-choice, fill-in, short answer, essay? Perhaps a combination of various types?
  • Test yourself. If your instructor makes a practice exam available to you, take it! You may also find practice tests in your class textbook.
  • Check your computer. Avoid last-minute problems! Whether you’re using your own computer or one in a lab, verify that it has all the correct hardware and software well in advance of the exam. Also, make sure you’ll be in a location with an adequate Internet location.
  • Study the class materials! Even if the test is “open book,” it’s still important to study and review just as if you were taking the test in a classroom.
  • Plan your time. As you test yourself, limit your time to that which will be allotted for the actual test, and decide how long you will spend on each question (e.g. if the test is one hour long, and you’ll have
  • Carve out a quiet test-taking spot with minimal distractions. Turn off all notifications from IM, your phone, your email, and elsewhere (or, set them to silent). Shut off the TV and radio. Let your roommates or family know that you’ll be taking a test, so that they’re less likely to interrupt you during that time.
  • Determine when you will take the test. You may have to take the exam at a specific time; however, if the test will be available for several hours (or even a few days), choose a time that presents the least potential for distraction, interruption, and stress.
  • Gather all that you’ll need to take the test. If you can have materials such as notes, books, or writing implements with you, be sure that they’re set to go.
  • Take a deep breath! Once you’re logged in, take a moment to relax and get focused.

During the Online Exam: Focus

  • Keep an eye on the clock. You may want to set an alarm to notify you when you have limited time (e.g., 10 minutes) remaining in your testing period.
  • If allowed by your instructor, print and save copies of the test questions, as well as your answers. These will prove extremely helpful if you have technical problems during the test or if you encounter issues while submitting your answers.
  • Don’t leave the test page! If you are permitted to search the web or check other websites for information, do not use the same tab or copy of the browser as you do for your exam—you may lose all your work. Instead, open a second copy of your browser (or, choose a completely different browser), then conduct your search.
  • Technical problems? Don’t panic. But do contact your instructor immediately, detailing the exact problem that occurred and any error messages you might have received. If you can take a screen shot, that is helpful as well.
  • Check your work before you submit it. Ensure that every answer is complete and appears as you intended. Review the accuracy of your answers, as well as your spelling and grammar.
  • Click submit. You should only need to do so once, but if you have a problem, try once more. If you still have a problem submitting the test, let your instructor know immediately, and send your intended answers in an attached document.

After the Online Exam: Review

  • Assess your own progress. How do you believe you did? What questions did you find confusing? Did you have to skip anything? Return to your notes and readings, and see if you can find the answers to the questions that challenged you.
  • Check your grade. In some cases, you may be able to learn your grade immediately. However, exams with written answers will take longer for your instructor to grade, so allow some time to find out your score.
  • Ask yourself how you can improve on the next exam. Did your study strategies work? Did your plan for taking the test online prove successful? Write down your observations and keep them in mind for the next time you take a test. (Watkins and Corry, 183-185)

Reference: Watkins, Ryan and Corry, Michael. 2014.  E-Learning Companion: A Student’s Guide to Online Success .  4th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Essay Exams

What this handout is about.

At some time in your undergraduate career, you’re going to have to write an essay exam. This thought can inspire a fair amount of fear: we struggle enough with essays when they aren’t timed events based on unknown questions. The goal of this handout is to give you some easy and effective strategies that will help you take control of the situation and do your best.

Why do instructors give essay exams?

Essay exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Essay exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you’ve practiced in the course. Instructors want to see whether:

  • You understand concepts that provide the basis for the course
  • You can use those concepts to interpret specific materials
  • You can make connections, see relationships, draw comparisons and contrasts
  • You can synthesize diverse information in support of an original assertion
  • You can justify your own evaluations based on appropriate criteria
  • You can argue your own opinions with convincing evidence
  • You can think critically and analytically about a subject

What essay questions require

Exam questions can reach pretty far into the course materials, so you cannot hope to do well on them if you do not keep up with the readings and assignments from the beginning of the course. The most successful essay exam takers are prepared for anything reasonable, and they probably have some intelligent guesses about the content of the exam before they take it. How can you be a prepared exam taker? Try some of the following suggestions during the semester:

  • Do the reading as the syllabus dictates; keeping up with the reading while the related concepts are being discussed in class saves you double the effort later.
  • Go to lectures (and put away your phone, the newspaper, and that crossword puzzle!).
  • Take careful notes that you’ll understand months later. If this is not your strong suit or the conventions for a particular discipline are different from what you are used to, ask your TA or the Learning Center for advice.
  • Participate in your discussion sections; this will help you absorb the material better so you don’t have to study as hard.
  • Organize small study groups with classmates to explore and review course materials throughout the semester. Others will catch things you might miss even when paying attention. This is not cheating. As long as what you write on the essay is your own work, formulating ideas and sharing notes is okay. In fact, it is a big part of the learning process.
  • As an exam approaches, find out what you can about the form it will take. This will help you forecast the questions that will be on the exam, and prepare for them.

These suggestions will save you lots of time and misery later. Remember that you can’t cram weeks of information into a single day or night of study. So why put yourself in that position?

Now let’s focus on studying for the exam. You’ll notice the following suggestions are all based on organizing your study materials into manageable chunks of related material. If you have a plan of attack, you’ll feel more confident and your answers will be more clear. Here are some tips: 

  • Don’t just memorize aimlessly; clarify the important issues of the course and use these issues to focus your understanding of specific facts and particular readings.
  • Try to organize and prioritize the information into a thematic pattern. Look at what you’ve studied and find a way to put things into related groups. Find the fundamental ideas that have been emphasized throughout the course and organize your notes into broad categories. Think about how different categories relate to each other.
  • Find out what you don’t know, but need to know, by making up test questions and trying to answer them. Studying in groups helps as well.

Taking the exam

Read the exam carefully.

  • If you are given the entire exam at once and can determine your approach on your own, read the entire exam before you get started.
  • Look at how many points each part earns you, and find hints for how long your answers should be.
  • Figure out how much time you have and how best to use it. Write down the actual clock time that you expect to take in each section, and stick to it. This will help you avoid spending all your time on only one section. One strategy is to divide the available time according to percentage worth of the question. You don’t want to spend half of your time on something that is only worth one tenth of the total points.
  • As you read, make tentative choices of the questions you will answer (if you have a choice). Don’t just answer the first essay question you encounter. Instead, read through all of the options. Jot down really brief ideas for each question before deciding.
  • Remember that the easiest-looking question is not always as easy as it looks. Focus your attention on questions for which you can explain your answer most thoroughly, rather than settle on questions where you know the answer but can’t say why.

Analyze the questions

  • Decide what you are being asked to do. If you skim the question to find the main “topic” and then rush to grasp any related ideas you can recall, you may become flustered, lose concentration, and even go blank. Try looking closely at what the question is directing you to do, and try to understand the sort of writing that will be required.
  • Focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.
  • Look at the active verbs in the assignment—they tell you what you should be doing. We’ve included some of these below, with some suggestions on what they might mean. (For help with this sort of detective work, see the Writing Center handout titled Reading Assignments.)

Information words, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject. Information words may include:

  • define—give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning.
  • explain why/how—give reasons why or examples of how something happened.
  • illustrate—give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject.
  • summarize—briefly cover the important ideas you learned about the subject.
  • trace—outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form.
  • research—gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you’ve found.

Relation words ask you to demonstrate how things are connected. Relation words may include:

  • compare—show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different).
  • contrast—show how two or more things are dissimilar.
  • apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation.
  • cause—show how one event or series of events made something else happen.
  • relate—show or describe the connections between things.

Interpretation words ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Don’t see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation. Interpretation words may include:

  • prove, justify—give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth.
  • evaluate, respond, assess—state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons (you may want to compare your subject to something else).
  • support—give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe).
  • synthesize—put two or more things together that haven’t been put together before; don’t just summarize one and then the other, and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together (as opposed to compare and contrast—see above).
  • analyze—look closely at the components of something to figure out how it works, what it might mean, or why it is important.
  • argue—take a side and defend it (with proof) against the other side.

Plan your answers

Think about your time again. How much planning time you should take depends on how much time you have for each question and how many points each question is worth. Here are some general guidelines: 

  • For short-answer definitions and identifications, just take a few seconds. Skip over any you don’t recognize fairly quickly, and come back to them when another question jogs your memory.
  • For answers that require a paragraph or two, jot down several important ideas or specific examples that help to focus your thoughts.
  • For longer answers, you will need to develop a much more definite strategy of organization. You only have time for one draft, so allow a reasonable amount of time—as much as a quarter of the time you’ve allotted for the question—for making notes, determining a thesis, and developing an outline.
  • For questions with several parts (different requests or directions, a sequence of questions), make a list of the parts so that you do not miss or minimize one part. One way to be sure you answer them all is to number them in the question and in your outline.
  • You may have to try two or three outlines or clusters before you hit on a workable plan. But be realistic—you want a plan you can develop within the limited time allotted for your answer. Your outline will have to be selective—not everything you know, but what you know that you can state clearly and keep to the point in the time available.

Again, focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.

Writing your answers

As with planning, your strategy for writing depends on the length of your answer:

  • For short identifications and definitions, it is usually best to start with a general identifying statement and then move on to describe specific applications or explanations. Two sentences will almost always suffice, but make sure they are complete sentences. Find out whether the instructor wants definition alone, or definition and significance. Why is the identification term or object important?
  • For longer answers, begin by stating your forecasting statement or thesis clearly and explicitly. Strive for focus, simplicity, and clarity. In stating your point and developing your answers, you may want to use important course vocabulary words from the question. For example, if the question is, “How does wisteria function as a representation of memory in Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom?” you may want to use the words wisteria, representation, memory, and Faulkner) in your thesis statement and answer. Use these important words or concepts throughout the answer.
  • If you have devised a promising outline for your answer, then you will be able to forecast your overall plan and its subpoints in your opening sentence. Forecasting impresses readers and has the very practical advantage of making your answer easier to read. Also, if you don’t finish writing, it tells your reader what you would have said if you had finished (and may get you partial points).
  • You might want to use briefer paragraphs than you ordinarily do and signal clear relations between paragraphs with transition phrases or sentences.
  • As you move ahead with the writing, you may think of new subpoints or ideas to include in the essay. Stop briefly to make a note of these on your original outline. If they are most appropriately inserted in a section you’ve already written, write them neatly in the margin, at the top of the page, or on the last page, with arrows or marks to alert the reader to where they fit in your answer. Be as neat and clear as possible.
  • Don’t pad your answer with irrelevancies and repetitions just to fill up space. Within the time available, write a comprehensive, specific answer.
  • Watch the clock carefully to ensure that you do not spend too much time on one answer. You must be realistic about the time constraints of an essay exam. If you write one dazzling answer on an exam with three equally-weighted required questions, you earn only 33 points—not enough to pass at most colleges. This may seem unfair, but keep in mind that instructors plan exams to be reasonably comprehensive. They want you to write about the course materials in two or three or more ways, not just one way. Hint: if you finish a half-hour essay in 10 minutes, you may need to develop some of your ideas more fully.
  • If you run out of time when you are writing an answer, jot down the remaining main ideas from your outline, just to show that you know the material and with more time could have continued your exposition.
  • Double-space to leave room for additions, and strike through errors or changes with one straight line (avoid erasing or scribbling over). Keep things as clean as possible. You never know what will earn you partial credit.
  • Write legibly and proofread. Remember that your instructor will likely be reading a large pile of exams. The more difficult they are to read, the more exasperated the instructor might become. Your instructor also cannot give you credit for what they cannot understand. A few minutes of careful proofreading can improve your grade.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind in writing essay exams is that you have a limited amount of time and space in which to get across the knowledge you have acquired and your ability to use it. Essay exams are not the place to be subtle or vague. It’s okay to have an obvious structure, even the five-paragraph essay format you may have been taught in high school. Introduce your main idea, have several paragraphs of support—each with a single point defended by specific examples, and conclude with a restatement of your main point and its significance.

Some physiological tips

Just think—we expect athletes to practice constantly and use everything in their abilities and situations in order to achieve success. Yet, somehow many students are convinced that one day’s worth of studying, no sleep, and some well-placed compliments (“Gee, Dr. So-and-so, I really enjoyed your last lecture”) are good preparation for a test. Essay exams are like any other testing situation in life: you’ll do best if you are prepared for what is expected of you, have practiced doing it before, and have arrived in the best shape to do it. You may not want to believe this, but it’s true: a good night’s sleep and a relaxed mind and body can do as much or more for you as any last-minute cram session. Colleges abound with tales of woe about students who slept through exams because they stayed up all night, wrote an essay on the wrong topic, forgot everything they studied, or freaked out in the exam and hyperventilated. If you are rested, breathing normally, and have brought along some healthy, energy-boosting snacks that you can eat or drink quietly, you are in a much better position to do a good job on the test. You aren’t going to write a good essay on something you figured out at 4 a.m. that morning. If you prepare yourself well throughout the semester, you don’t risk your whole grade on an overloaded, undernourished brain.

If for some reason you get yourself into this situation, take a minute every once in a while during the test to breathe deeply, stretch, and clear your brain. You need to be especially aware of the likelihood of errors, so check your essays thoroughly before you hand them in to make sure they answer the right questions and don’t have big oversights or mistakes (like saying “Hitler” when you really mean “Churchill”).

If you tend to go blank during exams, try studying in the same classroom in which the test will be given. Some research suggests that people attach ideas to their surroundings, so it might jog your memory to see the same things you were looking at while you studied.

Try good luck charms. Bring in something you associate with success or the support of your loved ones, and use it as a psychological boost.

Take all of the time you’ve been allotted. Reread, rework, and rethink your answers if you have extra time at the end, rather than giving up and handing the exam in the minute you’ve written your last sentence. Use every advantage you are given.

Remember that instructors do not want to see you trip up—they want to see you do well. With this in mind, try to relax and just do the best you can. The more you panic, the more mistakes you are liable to make. Put the test in perspective: will you die from a poor performance? Will you lose all of your friends? Will your entire future be destroyed? Remember: it’s just a test.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. 2016. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing , 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Fowler, Ramsay H., and Jane E. Aaron. 2016. The Little, Brown Handbook , 13th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Gefvert, Constance J. 1988. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook , 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Kirszner, Laurie G. 1988. Writing: A College Rhetoric , 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Woodman, Leonara, and Thomas P. Adler. 1988. The Writer’s Choices , 2nd ed. Northbrook, Illinois: Scott Foresman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Online university exam tips for students: How do online exams work?👩‍💻

Suffering with online exam stress and looking for online exam tips? Wondering what is an onlin exam and how do they work?

As university and life adapts to the pandemic, online exams have replaced the normal in person exams.

Whilst online exams may seem more stressful, having to rely on technology, and having to sit an exam from your own home, when prepared for in the right they can be straight-forward and can create a more calming environment than regular exams.

Here’s our complete online exam guide, with online exam guidelines and online exam help for students:

If you’d like to write for our student and graduate blog programme and gain valuable copywriting experience, get in touch below:

What is an online exam?

An online examination is a test taken online by a candidate in order for the examiner to measure the level of knowledge of the participants on a specific topic. This is done by using an online exam platform which candidates can take remotely. The majority of online examinations include answers processing modules, which enable the markers to issue results and grades only moments after the candidates complete the test. This fully automated examination system enables the examiner to present the final results in a much faster and more efficient manner. When taking an online examination, the candidates are required to answer the questions in a pre-decided timeframe. The test window collapses as soon as the online examination comes to an end, and institutions receive real-time reports. The markers first assess the answers and then grade accordingly if it is a multiple choice answer online examination. However, for the online examinations which consist of long-answer type questions where results are not automated, the markers assess the essay answers and then grade accordingly. The final results and grades of the online examinations are then put together and sent to the candidates either by e-mail or on the specific institutions’ website where the original online examination was taken.

How do online exams work?

Online examinations work by having the examiners setting up the online testing environment and uploading the question sets onto a specific online website where the online exam is set to be taking place. On this same platform, the bulk information about the candidates taking the online exam is uploaded, as well as selecting specific time slots, and then sending the online exam link to the candidates through follow up e-mails confirming all of these details. Although it may vary depending on the institutions where the online exams are being taken, generally the candidates need to use this specific link to login and go through a three-step authentication which will then enable them to take their online exam. Online exams are normally recorded and can be heavily supervised for important final years examinations through the use of an artificial intelligence-based invigilator or a traditional online human invigilator. After the candidates submit their answers, their online exams are auto-evaluated to generate a real-time report. The final results and grades can then be customised and shared in PDF or HTML formats to the candidates. After that, an in-depth group level analysis of the overall online examinations can be done and customised as required by the examiners.

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How to prepare for online exams?

1. make sure to go over the online exam guidelines.

To prepare for an online examination, it is mandatory that you read and fully understand the related guidelines. Make sure that you know when the online exam will be taking place, whether during a previously set and agreed specific date and time, or whether the online exam can be taken at any point within a limited time window. Make sure you also know how much time you are given to complete the online exam; and where you are expected to be taking the online exams. For instance in your home, or at another specific location, such as a campus computer lab, and pay attention to any other possible important information that is given by the examiner regarding a specific online exam’s structure. Procrastinating getting in the way of your exam revision? We’ve put together our top tips for  how to stop procrastinating  and focus on tasks better.

2. Know the format of the exam paper

Be informed about the format of the online exam that you are taking, such as what type of questions is the examiner using in the online exam, for example, multiple-choice, fill-in, short answer and/or long answer essay questions or a combination of different types of questions. If the examiner provides the candidates with a practice exam available, make sure you take it and use it to practice for the real online exam.

3. Double-check your technology

Regardless of where you are taking the online exam, whether at home or in a designed computer lab, make sure that you check, as early as possible before you take your online exam, the working status of your computer/laptop to avoid any sudden last-minute issues. Make sure you have all the correct software and hardware, and ensuring that the internet connection and/or Wi-Fi, where you are taking the online exam, is working fast enough without suffering any stuttering or sudden interruptions. It is extremely important that you study the materials given by the examiners during the classroom’s lectures. Even if it is an open book online exam, it is still essential to study and revise so that you know where to find the relevant information without wasting precious time looking through the books in order to find it.

4. Practice online papers

When preparing for the online exam, make sure that you plan your time as a candidate. When you practice your timing skills during a practice online exam, limit the time to the one that is allocated in your actual exam. Do this to determine how much time you will dedicate to each question, for example, if your online exam is one hour long and it is composed of sixty questions, then you will ideally have to spend no more than a minute per question at the most. However, depending on the institutions, you may be allowed to skip a difficult question, and come back to it before the end of the online exam, to avoid wasting precious time completing a difficult question and ending up missing out on answering the later questions. There are some great apps available to help with your revision and practice example questions, we’ve put together out guide to the top  7 apps every student needs during exams .

5. Find an appropriate setting to sit your exam

It is extremely important that when taking the online exam, you are situated in a quiet area of your home, for example your own bedroom or your personal study room. Make sure that you turn off (or set on silence) any notifications from your personal mobile devices, such as your mobile phone or tablet, and switch off completely the television and radio. Inform your room mates, flat mates, and/or family members that you will be taking an online exam and that it is essential that they do not make any noise or cause any distractions that may make it difficult for you to concentrate and focus solely on taking your exam. Depending on when the online exam has been set, decide when it is best for you to take it. You may be required to complete the online exam at a specific time; however, if the online exam can be completed within a limited time frame (such as if it is available for several hours and/or even for a few days), you should choose a particular time that is ideal in terms of suffering from only a minimal risk of distractions, interruptions and/or stress. Exams can bring huge amounts of stress and worry, so it’s important to make sure you’re finding the time to relax and are looking after your mental health. Visit our blog for helpful tips on  how to look after your mental health at University .

6. Gather the important material you need before the exam

Be very organised before taking the online exam, by gathering all the materials that you are allowed to use when taking it, such as personal notes, books, and/or written key information with you ready to use them when you need them. It’s also important to make sure you’re energised and fuelled for your exam by eating the right foods beforehand. If you’re wondering what are the best foods to eat, check out our blog on the  top brain foods for students . Make sure that you are relaxed, concentrated and focused when you have logged into the online exam, ready to complete it within the set limited amount of time.

Online exams can seem daunting at first, but when prepared for in the right ways they can be less stressful than in-person exams, and easier to focus with less distractions around.

If you’re feeling apprehensive about an upcoming university exam, make sure to implement our above exam tips to prepare in the best ways and calm nerves.

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Student Blog Writer

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How to Prepare for an Essay Exam

Last Updated: April 20, 2023

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. This article has been viewed 137,181 times.

The dreaded essay exam. Whether you like it or not, at some point in your life you are certain to encounter an exam composed entirely of essays. In the days leading up to the exam you may feel anxious or downright sick to your stomach. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation and practice, you can turn any pre-exam jitters into a feeling of confidence, which will allow you to successfully tackle any essay exam.

Participating in Class

Step 1 Go to class.

  • Actively participate. It’s important to find a participation method that works for you, whether that’s asking thought-provoking questions or commenting on the reading. Active participation just means involving yourself in some way, so even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking at length in front of your peers, try to ask a question every now and then.
  • Free yourself from distractions. Put away your cell phone or tablet and concentrate on listening and taking good notes. Now is not the time to work on homework for another class or to catch up with friends on Facebook.

Step 2 Take notes.

  • Always have a notebook on hand. It is helpful to use one notebook per subject or course, so that you don’t confuse yourself when looking back.
  • Be sure to date your notes so that you can quickly reference or find the subject material covered on the exam.
  • If you struggle with taking notes, ask the instructor if you can record the lecture. You can then go back and listen to the recording and either take notes at your own pace or review any parts of the lecture, which will be relevant for the exam.

Step 3 Do the readings.

  • Take notes on what you’ve read and have questions ready for class.
  • Follow the schedule for reading assignments. Typically readings are broken out in a way that is both manageable and topical. If, however, you find yourself unable to keep up with the readings, speak with your instructor about a schedule that suits your particular needs. For example, if readings are assigned for every other day of class, you may need to break it out such that you are reading a portion every day.

Reviewing the Material

Step 1 Collect your notes from class.

  • In addition to having one notebook per course, it may be helpful to also have an individual course binder or folder, which contains all course materials.
  • Take your organization to the next level by categorizing according to exams. Don’t throw away previous notes or materials from past exams. They may come in handy for midterm or final exams. Instead, organize the materials as if they were chapters, with chapter one being the first exam and so forth and so on.

Step 2 Find a quiet place to study.

  • Limit phone calls and any other distractions such as texting. It might help to turn your phone and other devices to silent mode while you’re studying.
  • The TV should always be off while you’re preparing for an exam.
  • If you want to listen to music, be sure it’s something that is relaxing or peaceful. Also, keep the music at a low level. Otherwise, music can easily become a distraction.

Step 3 Review class materials.

  • Get into the habit of reviewing class materials after each course. This will help to ease anxiety leading up to the exam, as you won’t have as much to review and will be able to clear up any questions that arise, prior to the big day.
  • Cramming doesn’t work. Multiple studies have shown that spacing out learning was more effective than cramming. [2] X Research source What’s more, cramming only increases the feeling of desperation which leads to panic, and then to test anxiety.

Step 4 Look for potential...

  • Creating an outline will also come in handy when drafting essay responses, so give yourself some practice and start with your class materials.

Practicing Ahead of Time

Step 1 Understand the structure of an essay.

  • Don’t wait until the night before to outline answers. As you’re studying and organizing your class materials, come up with potential questions along the way. You can then go back and review and revise as necessary.
  • Some instructors do specify a word count for essays. Don’t focus on counting words though. Write what you can and look for opportunities to flesh out your answers without being overly wordy.

Step 3 Recognize different types of questions.

  • Identify - typically short and direct answers will do.
  • Explain - requires a more detailed answer.
  • Compare - look for connections.
  • Argue - address this from your own perspective.

Step 4 Revise your answers.

  • This is a good opportunity to proofread your work and to look for any grammatical errors as well.
  • Have a friend, parent or peer look over your essay as well. It is often helpful to have a fresh set of eyes review your work and provide feedback.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • For open-notes or open-book tests, study thoroughly anyway. This will prepare you for other exams or tests where you're not allowed to use notes, and will allow for you to complete the test faster and easier because you won't need to search for everything in the book or your notes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Be positive. If you are negative and believe you will not do well, chances are that you will perform the way you expect to. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Practice writing. Be sure you can write fairly well in other situations so that you can express your ideas clearly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/essay-exams/
  • ↑ http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140917-the-worst-way-to-learn

About this article

Michelle Golden, PhD

If you’re worried about an upcoming essay exam, start reviewing your class notes by topic. One helpful way to prepare for your essay exam is to create a potential outline for each theme. For example, if you’re studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, you might come up with an essay outline about the themes of the play. Once you have a few of these outlines, do practice essays at home under timed conditions, using old exams or questions you can see from your outline. Additionally, make it easier to prepare for future exams by attending all classes, doing the assigned readings and taking clear notes. Keep reading for more tips, including how to understand what the essay questions are asking of you. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Short Essay

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 111,836 times.

Essay writing is a common assignment in high school or college courses, especially within the humanities. You’ll also be asked to write essays for college admissions and scholarships. In a short essay (250-500 words), you will need to provide an introduction with a thesis, a body, and a conclusion, as you would with a longer essay. Depending on the essay requirements, you may also need to do academic or online research to find sources to back up your claims.

Picking a Topic and Gathering Research

  • If you have any questions about the topic, ask your instructor. If your essay doesn't respond to the prompt, you likely won't receive full credit.

Step 2 Choose a single arguable point for your brief essay.

  • If you're writing an essay for an in-class test or for an application, tailor the essay to the given prompt and topic. Quickly brainstorm a few ideas; for example, think of positive things you can say about yourself for a college-entrance essay.
  • For example, the topic “depression in American literature” is far too broad. Narrow down your topic to something like “Willie Loman’s depression in Death of a Salesman .”
  • Or, you could write about a narrow topic like “the increase in the USA’s national debt in the 1950s” rather than a broad topic like “the American economy in the 20th century.”

Step 3 Find 1-2 appropriate secondary sources in an online research database.

  • Depending on the field in which you’re writing the essay—e.g., hard sciences, sociology, humanities, etc.—your instructor will direct you towards appropriate databases. For example, if you’re writing a high-school or college-level essay for your English class, visit online literary databases like JSTOR, LION, and the MLA Bibliography.
  • If you're writing the essay for a college or graduate-school application, it's unlikely that you'll need to include any secondary sources.
  • If you're writing a timed or in-class essay, you may not be able to find research articles. But, still do draw information from texts and sources you've studied both in and out of class, and build from points made in any provided reading passages.

Step 4 Use an article...

  • If you’re writing about current events or journalism topics, read articles from well-known news sites like CNN or the BBC.
  • Avoid citing unreliable websites like blogs or any sites that have a clear bias about the topic they’re reporting on.

Composing the Essay

Step 1 Create an outline...

  • If you write the essay without outlining, the essay will be poorly organized.

Step 2 Write a convincing,...

  • This thesis statement is far too weak: “ Death of a Salesman shows the difficulty of living in America after WWII.”
  • Instead, hone your thesis to something like: “Arthur Miller uses Death of a Salesman to show that the American Dream is materialist and impractical.”

Step 3 Use your introduction paragraph to explain the essay’s topic.

  • So, avoid beginning the paragraph by writing something like, “Since the beginning of time, all people have been consumed with the desire for their father’s approval.”
  • Instead, write something like, “In the play Death of a Salesman , Willie Loman’s sons compete for their father’s approval through various masculine displays."
  • Then, you can say, "To examine this topic, I will perform a close reading of several key passages of the play and present analyses by noted Arthur Miller scholars."

Step 4 Keep the introduction and conclusion under 75 words each.

  • In a short essay, the conclusion should do nothing more than briefly restate your main claim and remind readers of the evidence you provided.

Step 5 Use body paragraphs to prove various aspects of your central argument.

  • So, take the example about Death of a Salesman . The first body paragraph could discuss the ways in which Willie’s sons try to impress him.
  • The second body paragraph could dive into Willie’s hopelessness and despair, and the third paragraph could discuss how Miller uses his characters to show the flaws in their understanding of the American Dream.

Step 6 Add information from your research sources to strengthen claims.

  • Always cite your sources so you avoid charges of plagiarism. Check with your instructor (or the essay prompt) and find out what citation style you should use.
  • For example, if you’re summarizing the inflation of the American dollar during the 1930s, provide 2 or 3 years and inflation-rate percentages. Don’t provide a full-paragraph summary of the economic decline.
  • If you're writing an in-class essay and don't have time to perform any research, you don't need to incorporate outside sources. But, it will impress your teacher if you quote from a reading passage or bring up pertinent knowledge you may have gained during the class.

Step 7 Ask someone else to read your first draft.

  • If no one agrees to read the essay, read over your own first draft and look for errors or spots where you could clarify your meaning. Reading the essay out loud often helps, as you’ll be able to hear sentences that aren’t quite coherent.
  • This step does not apply to essays written during a timed or in-class exam, as you won't be able to ask peers to read your work.

Step 8 Revise the first draft into the final essay.

  • It’s always a mistake to submit an unrevised first draft, whether for a grade, for admissions, or for a scholarship essay.
  • However, if you're writing an essay for a timed exam, it's okay if you don't have enough time to combine multiple drafts before the time runs out.

Condensing Your Essay

Step 1 Quote only from secondary sources that are related to your topic.

  • So, if you’re writing about Death of a Salesman , an article about symbolism in Arthur Miller’s plays would be useful. But, an article about the average cost of Midwestern hotels in the 1940s would be irrelevant.
  • If you’re writing a scholarship essay, double-check the instructions to clarify what types of sources you’re allowed to use.

Step 2 Remove verbiage to keep your essay under the word count.

  • A common cliche you might find in an essay is a statement like, "I'm the hardest working student at my school."
  • For example, this sentence is too verbose: “I have been a relentlessly stellar student throughout my entire high school career since I am a seriously dedicated reader and thoroughly apply myself to every assignment I receive in class.”
  • Shortened, it could read: “I was a stellar student throughout my high school career since I was a dedicated reader and applied myself to every assignment I received.”

Step 3 Write short sentences...

  • Avoid writing something like, “Willie Loman can be seen as having achieved little through his life because he is not respected by his sons and is not valued by his co-workers.”
  • Instead, write, “Arthur Miller shows readers that Willie’s life accomplishments have amounted to little. Willie’s sons do not look up to him, and his co-workers treat him without respect.”

Step 4 Present only the most relevant argument in your essay.

  • For example, if you’re trying to prove that WWII pulled the USA out of the Great Depression, focus strictly on an economic argument.
  • Avoid bringing in other, less convincing topics. For example, don’t dedicate a paragraph to discussing how much it cost the USA to build fighter jets in 1944.

Short Essay Template and Example

short essay on online examination

Expert Q&A

  • When composing the text of your essay, resist the temptation to pull words from a thesaurus in an attempt to sound academic or intelligent. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If your high school or college has an online or in-person writing center, schedule an appointment. Taking advantage of this type of service can improve your essay and help you recognize structural or grammatical problems you would not have noticed otherwise. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

short essay on online examination

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Write an Essay

  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/choosing_a_topic.html
  • ↑ https://monroecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=589208&p=4072926
  • ↑ https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/march-2017/4-ways-to-differentiate-a-good-source-from-a-bad-source.html
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-outline/
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
  • ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/essay-introduction
  • ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/undergraduates/writing-guides/how-do-i-write-an-intro--conclusion----body-paragraph.html
  • ↑ https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/writingsuccess/chapter/8-3-drafting/
  • ↑ https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-write-university/how-approach-any-assignment/writing-english-essay/using-secondary
  • ↑ https://patch.com/michigan/berkley/bp--how-to-shorten-your-college-essay-without-ruining-it
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/style/ccs_activevoice/
  • ↑ https://wordcounter.net/blog/2016/01/26/101025_how-to-reduce-essay-word-count.html

About This Article

Christopher Taylor, PhD

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5 Best Practices for Successful Online Exams

  • October 28, 2019

Online Testing Best Practices:

  • Provide a practice test for students
  • Use question banks to mix things up and engage students
  • Include a variety of question types (multiple-choice, short answer, essay, etc.)
  • Questions should require critical thinking, not regurgitating information
  • Review and optimize online exam settings

Whether you’re teaching an online course or want to streamline your on-campus lectures, online exams are the perfect tool. If you’re new to teaching online, however, you might be overwhelmed by the process and wondering how to make sure your exams are optimized for online use. And, even if you’re a more seasoned online instructor, you’re likely seeking a few new ideas to improve your online assessments.

What’s Different with Online Exams?

For a successful online assessment, you don’t need exam questions that are different than what you’d need for in-person proctoring — you may just need a few more of them. The main difference is how you’ll present the questions. Whether you’re writing your first or your thirtieth online exam, these tips will help you get started.

1. Provide a Practice Test

No matter how long you’ve been teaching online, it’s important to remember that online testing may be new to your students. And, even if they’ve taken exams online before, they may be new to the platform your school is using or might need a refresher after the summer break. Practice tests are a great way to make sure they know the process, get everyone on the same page and set expectations for assessments in your course. 

When creating your practice test, be sure to use settings and questions that are similar to what you’ll use for actual tests and quizzes. If students will be timed, time the practice quiz. If you’ll be including both multiple-choice and essay questions, use both on the practice test — but be sure to keep it light and fun. You can even use this as an opportunity to learn more about your students by asking about their hobbies or favorite things. Regardless of the content, by the time they’re done with the practice test, your students will be familiar with the technology and ready to jump in when the first quiz comes around.

2. Use Question Banks

The main difference with online exams is that instructors have less control over the testing environment. Because of this, it’s important to employ strategies that will help motivate students to study and succeed in exams — in part by making dishonesty more difficult. 

One of the best features online exams have to offer is the question bank — a solution that helps you keep your students on their toes, make sure they’re engaged with the content and mix things up from student to student. To use the question bank to its full potential, you’ll need to create more questions than actually needed (for instance, if your exam has 20 multiple-choice questions, create 30). When your students take the test, the system will randomize which questions are pulled for which students, making sure that no two exams are the same.  

3. Provide Variation

In addition to question banks, online exams offer many other opportunities to keep your students engaged and learning. One way to do this is with various question formats. By combining multiple-choice, short-answer and essay questions, you provide your students with multiple avenues to show you what they’re learning and even where they might be struggling. 

Another way to make sure they’re on their toes is to use randomization features. In addition to shuffling questions, you can also randomize answers so that, even when two students get the same question, the multiple-choice answer options come in a different order. 

4. Lean into Critical Thinking

Your goal at every stage of the teaching process is to engage your students. When you’re crafting exam questions, you don’t just want to know that they’re able to regurgitate information — you also want to see how they’re able to apply what they’ve learned. 

How do you know whether your questions require students to think critically? A good litmus test is to ask how easily the answer could be found with an online search. If it’s just a click away, try making it a bit more engaging. By asking questions that apply your course information to their lived experiences, you help your students engage with the material and increase their chances of succeeding in your course. 

5. Review & Optimize Your Settings for Online Exams

While you may not have control over a student’s direct environment while they’re testing, online proctoring does offer many settings to make sure you (and your students) are set up for success. For instance, you can choose to only show one question at a time. This has a dual benefit of both making it more difficult for a student to screenshot or copy exam content and also making sure that their progress is saved after every question. You can also use features like randomization and disabling copy/paste to help protect your exam content. 

All online proctoring systems provide a number of settings so you can optimize exactly what your courses and exams need for successful remote learning instruction. Ultimately, you can choose what works best for you and your students by getting to know the features and what they do. And, once you’ve chosen your favorites, remember to review them every time so you know you’ll get the results you want from your assessment. 

Writing Online Exams Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

If you’re looking for more ideas to make your online exams the best they can be, talk with the faculty in your department. Find out what’s worked well for them and what they’ve learned the hard way. Most of them will be more than willing to share their hard-earned knowledge with you as you begin (or refine) your online exam creation. 

With just a few adjustments, you’ll be ready to write online tests that will engage your students, help them learn and help you accurately assess their knowledge.

Sign up below for more tips, best practices, and what to avoid to improve your online exams

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Essay on Examination with Outline Quotations and tips

Best essay on examination system in pakistan for matric/inter in 1000-1500 words.

Photo of Ameer Hamza

In this post, you will find an essay discussing the examination system in Pakistan, accompanied by quotations. It is intended for students studying in Matric, FFSC, and the 2nd year. Class 12 students can utilize this essay as a practice tool for their annual exams. Similarly, FSC students can write a similar essay titled “Essay on Examination with Outline Quotations and tips” or “Best Essay on Examination System in Pakistan.” If you require additional essays for the 2nd year, please visit our collection of Essays for FSC.

Essay on Examination Outline:

1. Introduction. Examinations are an integral part of our system of education but they are extremely faulty. 2. They fail to give an accurate assessment of a student. They do not test a student’s intelligence or ability. They test only his cramming power. Judging by the examination results, many of the great scientists were quite dull. 3. The element of chance in the examinations. The making of scripts is never uniform. Some examiners may be strict, others very lenient. 4. Examinations make the work round the year uneven. Students just study near the examinations and idle away their time during the rest of the year. This makes their work round the year very uneven. 5. This system adversely affects class teaching. A good teacher feels hampered by the limits imposed by the examination system. 6. Examinations are a necessary evil. If there were no examinations, students would not study at all. And it must be said to their credit that, in spite of all the drawbacks in them, a good student has not usually failed nor a third-rater topped. 7. The need for reforms. Instead of completely doing away with the system, we should try to introduce certain reforms: (a) Semester systems can make the work round the year more even. (b) Marking scripts should be made more accurate and uniform. (c) Examinations may be accompanied with viva voce, particularly in the case of marginal students. (d) Unfair means should be checked.

Examinations Essay for Matric/Inter in 1000-1500 Words

Introduction:.

Examinations have come to stay as a part of our education system. They are considered to be a big nuisance and both the teachers and the students detest them. It is really possible to discover a large number of defects in them; still in the absence of any other satisfactory system of evaluation, it is impracticable to abolish them. They are perhaps evil, yet they are indispensable.

Essay on Examination

Examinations are often condemned on account of the very prominent role of chance involved in them. The marking of the scripts can never be uniform. Even if we grant that all examiners are sincere and earnest – in fact, many of them are whimsical and willful – we can still not affirm that examinations are scientifically impartial to all examinees. The possibility of the personal prejudices of an examiner beclouding his better judgment cannot be excluded. If an average script follows three brilliant scripts, it will be awarded poor marks; if it follows two exceptionally poor ones, it will earn a better reward than it deserves. Mr. Shahid might be too strict. He will bewail the poor standards and make fascinating crisscross patterns on the scripts. Mrs. Nadia might be a bit too lenient. She would like to give every student a pass on humanitarian grounds. How far can the awards are given by these two examiners be accepted as a fair index of the relative ability of their examinees?

Under the prevailing system of examinations, the students enjoy a ten-month holiday and have a two-month working session. They merrily skip around and flirt their time away for the first ten months. Then, as the examinations approach, one can sniff a chill of seriousness in the air. The atmosphere starts getting heavy, the infection is gradually rife and the students start pouring over their books. They skim through their syllabi, just to get the hang of what they are about, manage to stuff their brains with some ill-digested facts temporarily, then forget all about them once the examinations are over. But these two months play havoc with their physique. The whole period is spent in extreme nervous tension. Shave and hair-cut, cosmetics, and coiffures are all forgotten. Chemists are pestered to procure pills causing sleeplessness. The erstwhile lotus-eater suddenly becomes a Ulysses. But to his utter dismay, he often discovers that he is no match for the giant that examination is and collapses with acute nervous exhaustion.

This system exercises an adverse effect on the class teaching in two ways. First, a good teacher always finds himself hampered by the limitations imposed by the examination system. He does not teach, he prepares the students for the examination. Secondly, a number of students, by virtue of having a good memory, get into a class where they do not deserve to be. Their lessons being beyond their comprehension, they feel bored in the class and create mischief. It is these students who pollute the atmosphere in the class and are responsible for the widespread indiscipline found in colleges. But even the devil must be given its due. It must be acknowledged that the examinations do compel students to study a little. Or they would not study even this much. Secondly, despite all the tricks played by chance, it is never noticed that a good student has failed or a third-rater has topped. Thus examinations may not be scientifically accurate or impartial, still, they do substantial justice.

Essay on Examination

Examiners are appointed en masse and they often do a bad job of the work entrusted to them. But then there is no better substitute for this system. We cannot abolish these examinations. All we can do is to improve upon them so that they cease to be a lottery indiscreetly doling out a few lacs with innumerable blanks. Related topics. The uses and abuses of examinations. Examinations are a necessary evil.

Essay on Examination Quotations

  • “The difference between a good and a poor student is result”. (ETC Wanyanwu)
  • “Prepare well! Take two inks; you may never know when one pen will stop writing!” (Ernest Agyemang Yeboah)
  • “Examinations were a great trial to me.”
  • “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet”. (Aristotle)

Tips for Writing an Examination Essay:

  • Comprehend the topic: Begin by thoroughly understanding the essay prompt. Ensure a clear understanding of what the topic requires you to discuss.
  • Create an essay plan: Develop an outline or structure for your essay. This will help organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas.
  • Engaging introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing introduction that provides background information on examinations and presents your thesis statement.
  • Develop strong arguments: Use body paragraphs to elaborate on your ideas and arguments. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point, supported by evidence and examples.
  • Utilize relevant examples: Incorporate real-life examples or personal experiences to illustrate your points and make your essay more relatable and persuasive.
  • Maintain focus: Stay on-topic and avoid straying from the main theme of examinations. Ensure each paragraph directly relates to the central subject.
  • Be concise and clear: Use clear and concise language to express your ideas. Avoid excessive jargon or complex vocabulary that may confuse the reader.
  • Summarize in the conclusion: Provide a summary of your main points and restate your thesis in the conclusion. Leave the reader with a sense of closure.
  • Proofread and revise: Take time to review your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Make necessary revisions to improve clarity and coherence.
  • Manage time effectively: During an examination, allocate sufficient time for planning, writing, and proofreading to ensure a well-structured and polished essay.

Conclusion for Essay on Examination

examinations play a significant role in assessing students’ knowledge and progress. While they can be challenging, it is important to approach them as opportunities for growth. However, it is crucial to remember that exams should not be the sole determinant of a student’s abilities or potential. A balanced assessment approach, incorporating various evaluation methods throughout the year, provides a more comprehensive understanding of students’ skills. Additionally, it is essential to prioritize a holistic education that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving. By fostering a love for learning and focusing on overall development, examinations can serve as a means to equip students with essential skills for their future endeavors. Ultimately, the aim should be to create an educational environment that encourages continuous improvement and prepares students to become well-rounded individuals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

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Exam Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Exams

Essay exams involve a significant written component in which you are asked to discuss and expand on a topic.  These could include written responses in the form of a formal essay or a detailed short-answer response.

  • Short answer vs essay questions

Preparing for an essay exam

Answering essay questions.

Check out our visual resources for " Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions " below!

What is the difference between a short answer and an essay question?

  • Both short-answer and essay questions ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of course material by relating your answer to concepts covered in the course.
  • Essay questions require a thesis (argument) and supporting evidence (from course material - lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments) outlined in several paragraphs, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Short-answer questions are more concise than essay answers - think of it as a “mini-essay” - and use a sentence or two to introduce your topic; select a few points to discuss; add a concluding sentence that sums up your response.
  • Review your course material - look for themes within the topics covered, use these to prepare sample questions if your instructor has not given direction on what to expect from essay questions.
  • Create outlines to answer your practice questions. Choose a definite argument or thesis statement and organize supporting evidence logically in body paragraphs. Try a mnemonic (like a rhyme or acronym) to help remember your outline.
  • Practice! Using your outline, try using a timer to write a full response to your practice or sample questions within the exam time limit.
  • Review the question carefully. Think about what it is asking - what are you expected to include?  What material or examples are relevant?
  • Underline keywords in the question to identify the main topic and discussion areas.
  • Plan your time. Keep an eye on the time allowed and how many essay questions you are required to answer. Consider the mark distribution to determine how much time to spend on each question or section.
  • Make a plan. Take a few minutes to brainstorm and plan your response - jot down a brief outline to order your points and arguments before you start to write.
  • Include a thesis statement in your introduction so that your argument is clear, even if you run out of time, and help structure your answer.
  • Write a conclusion , even if brief - use this to bring your ideas together to answer the question and suggest the broader implications.
  • Clearly and concisely answer the question :
  • In your introduction, show that you understand the question and outline how you will answer it.
  • Make one point or argument per paragraph and include one or two pieces of evidence or examples for each point.
  • In your conclusion, summarize the arguments to answer the question.

"Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions"

Does your next test have short answer or essay questions? Let's look at how to prepare for these type of questions, how to answer these types of questions, and strategies to keep in mind during the exam. Fight exam writer's block and achieve your best marks yet!

  • "Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions" PDF
  • "Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions" Video

Looking for more strategies and tips? Check out MUN's Academic Success Centre online!

Carnegie Mellon University. (n.d.). Successful exam strategies. Carnegie Mellon University: Student Academic Success. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/other-resources/fast-facts/exam-strategies.pdf

Memorial University of Newfoundland. (n.d.). Exam strategies: Short answer & essay exams. Memorial University of Newfoundland: Academic Success Centre. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.mun.ca/munup/vssc/learning/exam-strategies-essays.php

Trent University. (n.d.). How to understand and answer free response or essay exam questions. Trent University: Academic Skills. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-study/prepare-and-write-exams/how-understand-and-answer-free-response-or-essay-exam

University of Queensland Australia. (n.d.). Exam tips. University of Queensland Australia: Student support, study skills. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/study-skills/exam-tips

University of Waterloo. (n.d.). Exam questions: Types, characteristics, and suggestions. University of Waterloo: Centre for Teaching Excellence. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/exams/questions-types-characteristics-suggestions

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English that goes straight to the heart

Short Essay Writing

An essay is a piece of writing that revolves around a particular theme and contains the academic opinions of the person writing it. To write an essay you need an Introduction, a Body (Supporting Paragraphs), and a Conclusion.

Short Essay Examples

A basic essay mainly consists of three parts: Introduction , Body , and Conclusion . The following parts will help you write a good essay.

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Introduction

It constitutes the opening paragraph of the essay.

  • It helps the reader get oriented with the topic.
  • It states the purpose of the essay.
  • It captures the interest of the reader.
  • It presents the general idea of the essay.
  • It often ends with the thesis or the main idea of the essay.

Body (Supporting Paragraphs)

They constitute the supporting sentences and ideas.

  • They provide the reader with additional details about the main idea.
  • They support the thesis of the writer.
  • There is no fixed number of supporting paragraphs.
  • Ideally, every supporting paragraph should contain a different idea.

It constitutes the ending paragraph(s) of the essay.

  • It ties up loose ends of the paragraph.
  • It helps in reiterating or highlighting the main idea.
  • It summarises all the arguments.
  • It brings the essay to a logical close.
  • It never ends in detail.

Short Essay Writing Examples

Short essay writing #1, short essay writing on my family (250+ words).

Family is the place where you learn your first lesson in life. Your family members are the only assets that will remain with you forever. Whatever the circumstances, family members are always there for each other to support us. Good values and good morals are always taught in a family.

In the family, we are prepared to respect our elders and love younger ones. We learn lessons consistently from our family, about honesty, dependability, kindness and so on. Although I am a student in my final year, my family always treats me like a child but always provides us with a sensation of so much love and care. My family is the best family for me. I live in a nuclear family of four members.

My father is a teacher. He is the man who heads and leads our family. My mother is a housewife as well as a beautician. She is a lovely woman. My mother is everything to me. She is the one who understands me best and most closely. My grandmother is the cutest person of all.

I love my family because they are the jewels of my life. They work hard so that we can get anything we desire makes me love and respect my parents considerably more. We play games every night and discuss various topics to spend quality time together. I give deep respect and pay the highest regard to my family not just because they are my family, but for their unmatched and incredible sacrifices for me.

Short Essay Writing #2

Short essay writing on christmas (250 words).

Christmas is one of the most famous and light-hearted festivals which is celebrated across the world by billions of people. People of the Christian religion celebrate Christmas to remember the great works of Jesus Christ. 25th December is celebrated as Christmas Day across the world. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ of Bethlehem was a spiritual leader and prophet whose teachings structure the premise of their religion.

Christmas Day is celebrated every year with great joy, happiness and enthusiasm. Everyone whether they are poor or rich gets together and partakes in this celebration with lots of activities. On this day people decorate their houses with candles, lights, balloons etc. People decorate Christmas trees on this day in their homes or a public square. They decorate Christmas trees with small electric lights of various colours, gift items, balloons, flowers, and other materials. After that, the Christmas tree looks very appealing and wonderful.

People follow popular customs including exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, obviously, trusting that Santa Claus will arrive. Children eagerly wait for Christmas day very anxiously as they get lots of beautiful gifts and chocolates. In most cases, the fat person in the family dressed up as Santa Clause with a bell in his hand which attract kids and they get lots of beautiful gifts and chocolates from Santa Clause. 25th December, Christmas Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Short Essay Writing #3

Short essay writing on health is wealth (250+ words).

The greatest wealth is our own health. A healthy body can earn great wealth but, a wealthy person cannot earn great health. We live in a fast-moving world where individuals have no time for themselves. Most part of their life withers away in search of materialistic wealth in order to outshine others but, along the way, they lose their health.

Recent studies have shown that the increased stress of the present speedy life is leading to various medical conditions. Major among those are heart and neurological problems. Good health assists an individual to keep a positive attitude toward work and life in general. Wealth matters, but, is not as important as health.

Spending lots of money on junk food in five-star hotels or on other entertainment sources like watching films for a day and so on has no advantages other than self-satisfaction. Being physically and mentally healthy helps an individual to be socially and financially healthy as well. A healthy person can earn lots of money however an unhealthy person cannot because of a lack of motivation, interest, and concentration level.

Money is the source to carry on with a healthy life however good health is the source of living a happy and peaceful life. So, everyone should take many precautions in maintaining good health. Everyone should be away from bad habits and unhealthy lifestyles. Being healthy isn’t only the condition of being free of disease, ailment, or injury but also being happy physically, mentally, socially, intellectually, and financially. Good health is an actual necessity of happy life and the greatest gift from nature.

Short Essay Writing #4

Short essay writing on balanced diet (250+ words).

A diet that contains all kinds of necessary ingredients in almost the required quantity is called the “Balanced Diet”. A Balanced diet is one that helps to maintain or improve overall health. We should consume a balanced diet consisting of essential nutrition: liquids, adequate proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and calories. We must eat fresh fruits, salad, green leafy vegetables, milk, egg, yoghurt, etc. on time in order to maintain a healthy body.

Among the minerals, we require chiefly iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and small quantities of iodine, copper, etc. They are found in green vegetables and most fruits, Vitamins have a number of kinds like A, B, C, D, etc. Vitamin A is found in fish oil, butter, carrot, papaya, etc., and Vitamin B is found in green leafy vegetables, wheat grain, etc. Vitamin C is found in green chilli, green vegetables, amla, lemon, and citric fruits. Vitamin D is found in the first oil, butter, and rays of the sun. We also need Vitamins E and K for our health. Milk is perhaps the only single item that can be called a balanced diet in itself.

Animal protein is found in meats, poultry, and fish. The white of an egg also contains protein. Another kind of protein is found in milk (casein), cheese, curd, pulses, soybean, dry fruits, etc. Fat is found in butter, pork, coconut, all edible oils, cod liver oil, the yolk of an egg, etc. We should drink more water at least 7-8 glasses of water. A healthy body also needs some daily physical activities, proper rest and sleep neatness, a healthy environment, fresh air, and water, personal hygiene, etc.

Short Essay Writing #5

Short essay writing on science and technology (250+ words).

In a fast-changing world, the fate of the country can be moulded through our ability to harness modern science and technology, which is a road to boost the development programs of the country. Rapid technological advances have reduced the dependency on natural resources or the factors in proportion to it.

Man is performing precisely by machines with a regular improvement in his work because of quick technological changes by virtue of scientific advancement all around the world. We have accomplished desired scientific and technological advancement and have succeeded in boosting various important international activities like information and telecommunication, television, meteorological services, medical advancement, industrial development, nuclear research, Space Research Oceanographic Research, etc.

Over the years a strong science and technology infrastructure base has been established for giving modern shape to world industries. It covers a chain of laboratories, specialized centres, various academic and research institutes, training centres, and useful development programs, which continuously provide skill, technically trained manpower, and technological support to industries for better execution. Science has advanced a great deal in the field of medical care. New technology has given a compelling medical care framework at a reasonable cost. Medical research has been carried out, broadly on nutrition, tuberculosis, reproduction, child care, leprosy, drugs, communicable diseases, cholera, and malaria, which has an extremely certain result.

If we look at the global scenario, the modern world is moving exceptionally fast. There are rapid scientific and technological changes that are occurring in a steady progression. Our country, as a global competitor, in the race of becoming a world power, needs to accomplish more in the area of Science and Technology emphasizing it as its foremost national priority in order to accomplish its objective.

Short Essay Writing #6

Short essay writing on co-education (250+ words).

Co-education is a system of education in which boys and girls study together in a common school or college. Co-education was not prevalent in ancient times. It is a groundbreaking thought. Co-education is exceptionally practical. The number of schools required is less. The strength of the teaching staff is diminished. The government spends less money on infrastructure and laboratories. The balance of money so saved is spent on better maintenance of schools and colleges, which facilitates the students for better study.

The parents supported the case for adequate education for the children irrespective of their sex. The countrymen realized that the boys and girls have to move together and shoulder to shoulder in every walk of life in the free world. They started educating their children in co-educational institutions. That is the reason why the students of co-educational institutions do better in every walk of their life.

It is useful in producing a sensation of solidarity and a feeling of equivalent obligation among boys and girls. When young boys and girls come closer to each other, they take more care in understanding each other. That helps in creating a friendly atmosphere between the two. The boys and the girls partake in their joint exercises consistently in schools and universities.

If we want that our country ought to sparkle, we need to bring young boys and young girls together for making a power of working hands in the country, which can give a compelling reaction for greatness by accelerating the advancement in every one of the fields.

Also, Read Examples of Informative Essay

Short Essay Writing #7

Short essay writing on education (250 words).

There are two basic purposes behind education. The first is to free people from ignorance, superstition, bad habits, and many wrong ideas. Secondly, to provide the citizens of a country with some skill or special kind of knowledge that would enable them to earn a decent living. In a highly populated country like India education is a must for both the purposes mentioned. First, there must be a hundred per cent literacy if the so-called democracy that the constitution guarantees for its citizens is to have any true meaning.

Only educated citizens can utilize democratic rights usefully. But as the population of this country rises by leaps and bounds, mere knowledge for its own sake will not suffice. People, educated people, must learn to produce things that are in daily demand. We need more technicians, more carpenters, more well-informed farmers and cultivators, and more skilled workers of different categories who can increase the goods and services they demand which are constantly rising.

There should be close coordination between producers of necessary goods and educational planners. Turning out graduates from colleges and universities would not help things because such ordinary graduates are not employable in industries. Colleges, universities, and other seats of higher education must train young men and women who are able to show tangible results in the form of useful goods needed by society. Such education alone can exorcise the spectre of unemployment that is stalking the country today and is at the root of all its serious troubles.

Short Essay Writing #8

Short essay writing on save environment (250 words).

Environment means a healthy natural balance in the air, water, animals, plants, and other natural resources. The environment influences the existence and development of an organism. Pollution is the process of creating the environment dirty by adding harmful substances thereto. Owing to indiscriminate industrialization man has created a polluted environment. He has continuously tampered with nature which led to a threat to the sustenance of mankind.

The constant more in the world population is the main reason for environmental pollution. More population means more industry. Factories release toxic gases into the air, and filthy poisonous waters from factories and mills For also released into the waters of rivers; trees are cut down for fuel and other commercial purposes, or for procuring land for building houses. This results in a fall in the supply of oxygen that the trees provide With the felling of trees animals and birds also lose their shelter and this destroys the balance in the ecology.

To prevent these hazards from endangering human, animal, and plant life measures should be taken before the situation goes out of control. More trees should be planted. Anti-pollution scientific methods should be devised, so that toxic gases and poisonous effluents are not released by factories and mills into the air and water respectively. Cutting down trees should be made punishable by law. Poaching and hunting of animals for monetary gain and recreation should also be stopped. Finally, from early life, people should be so educated that they become aware of the vital importance of a healthy, natural, and toxic-free environment.

Also, Read Top 10 Essay Examples

Short Essay Writing #9

Short essay writing on cleanliness (230+ words).

There is truth in the common saying: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Cleanliness is a great virtue. It makes a man healthy and happy. The healthy habit of cleanliness should be formed from childhood in our everyday routine. A clean environment keeps us free from pollution. Cleanliness comes out of a taste for decency.

Cleanliness is of two types—cleanliness of body and cleanliness of mind. Cleanliness of the body makes for physical health. Health is an impossibility without bodily cleanliness. The disease is the handmaid of dirt. The germs of disease breed and multiply in the dirt. Epidemic diseases like cholera and typhoid which often sweep over villages and towns and take a heavy toll on life are the result of dirty habits and the surroundings of the people.

Cleanliness of the mind is as necessary as that of the body for self-respect. No one loves and respects a man if he is not clean in mind-free from impure desires, and evil thoughts. Mental cleanliness makes for one’s success in any sphere of life. The effects of cleanliness are great. It contributes to the character of a noble personality not only with clean clothes but also with clean ideas, clean thoughts, and clean ways of life. In every walk of life, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness in body and mind as well as indoors and outdoors. Cleanliness is truly next to godliness. All should cultivate it.

Short Essay Writing #10

Short essay writing on water pollution (250+ words).

According to the World Health Organization, any foreign matter either natural or other sources which contaminates and pollutes the water or the water supply making it harmful to human and aquatic life is termed water pollution. Household detergents and wastes pollute water bodies. When detergents and fertilizers containing phosphates are discharged into water, it promotes the growth of algae. Drilling oil under the sea may prove dangerous for marine life.

Water pollution may severely affect human, plant, and animal life. When contaminated water is consumed, the pathogens enter the human body. It may cause various water-borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, and jaundice. Metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium dissolved in water may cause several diseases if they enter the human body. When water contaminated with cadmium was consumed by the Japanese, they were affected by a disease called Itai-Itai.

Similarly, a disease known as Minamata affected the Japanese after they consumed fish that had a large concentration of mercury. When phosphorus and nitrates from fertilizers are disposed of in water bodies, they promote the growth of algae. The presence of algae in water bodies in a large number reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in water resulting in the death of fish and other water organisms. Thermal pollution increases the temperature of the water which in turn reduces the level of oxygen in the water. This results in the death of many species of fish. Measures should be taken to prevent water pollution before the situation goes out of control. Anti-pollution scientific methods should be devised.

Short Essay Writing #11

Short essay writing on child labour (250+ words).

Child labour has been quite a problem down the ages. Child labour means the labour done by children below the age of eighteen. Employing little boys and girls not only saves money but also helps the employer avoid labour unrest. Young boys and girls can be paid lesser wages and they do not form unions to realize demands for higher pay.

The types of work children have to do are many and various. In tea stalls and small hotels, they clean the utensils, mop the floors and serve at the table. In garages, they wash the cars, buses, and lorries. The female children serve as maid-servants in various families. Though child labour is a cruel practice it saves many families from starvation. The income of the adult members of these families is not sufficient even for their hand-to-mouth living. If the children do not work to supplement their income, the families will have to starve. So simply banning the use of child labour one could not solve the problem.

In recent times the government of India has become aware of the evils of the system. But it can be hard to do away with it all of a sudden. Abolition of the employment of child labour must be preceded by a process of improving the economic condition of the families concerned. Proper methods should be adopted so that the children are educated and not sent to workplaces that destroy both the body and the soul of these unfortunate creatures.

Short Essay Writing #12

Short essay writing on my hobby (250 words).

A hobby is voluntary work done in leisure with pleasure. There are many fashionable hobbies such as stamp-collecting, coin-collecting, photography, etc. But my favourite hobby is gardening. I started it when I was only ten. I have a small plot of land beside our house. There I cultivate gardening. I spend one hour every day gardening. Back from the morning walk, I go to my garden with a spade and a waterful bucket. I dig up the soil, trim the plants, and water them. I also spray insecticides and apply fertilizers.

When I see the plants swaying in the wind, my heart leaps in joy. I experience heavenly pleasure as I see them grow day by day. I have chosen this hobby because it gives me not only joy but also enough physical exercise to keep my body fit.

I face some problems in cultivating gardening. Entellus often eat up flowers and destroy the plants, though I am at pains to scare them away. Gardening brings me both joy and health. Every afternoon I work for an hour in my garden and watch the buds come up and the branches nod in the breeze. Although a hobby is a source of pleasure and not of profit, my hobby combines the two. My mother looks upon it very kindly, as a part of my garden serves as a kitchen garden. A hobby is an index to a man’s character and I believe my hobby reflects my character.

Also, Read Academic Essay Examples

Short Essay Writing #13

Short essay writing on my ambition in life (200 words).

Ambition is a goal or objective to achieve in life. In order to succeed in life, one must have a goal. An aimless man is like a ship without a compass. So, I have to select an ambition in my life. Very soon I shall be a citizen of my country. I shall have some duties to society and my country. I must perform them. I think no country can prosper without education. So, my ambition in life is to spread education. Any noble work needs money.

So, after completing my graduation I shall join my father’s business. Business is the best source of earning money. I shall spend a large part of my profit on spreading education and treatment for the poor and sick villagers. I shall set it up. schools for children. I shall start night schools for the adults to make them literate. I shall set up a library. Books on various subjects will be issued without any subscription. I shall open training centres for young boys and girls to provide them with jobs. I do not know how far my ambition will be successful. But I shall try my best.

Short Essay Writing #14

Short essay writing on value of time (250 words).

There is a saying, “Time and tide wait for none. The value of time is very great. We can regain lost money and lost health. But lost time is gone forever. So, we should know the use of time. We should remember that we cannot recall the time that is gone. We can stop the clock but we cannot stop the time. And so we must make the best use of every moment. This knowledge and habit of proper use of time are the secrets of success.

Our life is short. But time passes swiftly. Our life is made of moments. So, to lose a moment is to waste a valuable part of life. By making the right use of the time we can do a lot. We should avail ourselves of every opportunity. If we do not know the use of time our life becomes miserable. We should know that a stitch in time saves nine. Idle time is said to be a thief of time.

If we idle away our time, our appointed work will suffer and success will be hard to achieve. Time lost is lost forever. We are born to do a lot of work. Great men realize it. They never lose a moment. Gandhiji always used to keep a watch to watch his time. He who performs his duties punctually prospers in life positively. What can be done today should not be put off for tomorrow. We should not say ‘later’, we should do ‘now’.

Short Essay Writing #15

Short essay writing on value of trees (250+ words).

Trees are of great importance in our everyday life. They provide us with thatch for huts, timber for buildings and furniture, firewood, food like fruits, honey, etc., and medicine. We are dependent on trees for our very existence on earth. They produce oxygen which keeps us alive. They also absorb carbon-di-oxide exhaled by us and thereby help to create a pollution-free atmosphere. Trees help to prevent the erosion of soil and floods.

Both the urban and rural people gain advantages from growing more trees. The former enjoys a pollution-free atmosphere and the latter gets fruits, fuel, goods of economic importance, and medicines. Road-side trees are planted to beautify the roads and purify the air. Trees supply fresh air to reduce pollution in urban areas and help in rural economic growth. It is important to note that 33% of the land is required as forests in any country to maintain ecological balance. Hence we must take utmost care to grow more trees and stop deforestation. Trees give men shelter and shade. They protect wildlife. Trees help men fight against environmental pollution.

So we all must grow more trees and stop deforestation. We must care for trees for our own sake. We should not forget that the great scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose proved that trees are living beings. The festival, Vano-Mahotsav is observed every year during the rainy season. Thousands of saplings are planted on the occasion. More and more areas are brought under forest cover and people are taught “Plant trees and save a life.”

Short Essay Writing #16

Short essay writing on morning walk (250 words).

Morning walk and early rising go hand in hand. One who wants to go for a morning walk has to get up early. A morning walk is a healthy habit. It removes the physical lethargy caused by the night’s sleep, helps in the circulation of blood, and makes one healthy. It is good exercise after a long night’s rest and provides us with fresh oxygen from the cool morning air. It gives a good start to a man’s whole day’s work. He can finish a large amount of his work before others get out of bed. He need not hurry over any part of his work.

A morning walk enables a man to have closer contact with nature. He can see the calm, quiet and complete beauty of nature- the beauty he cannot see by day. A morning walk provides independent exercise. He need not go to the gymnasium for exercise. Morning walk, like early rising, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Even doctors advise their patients to have a morning walk daily, as a remedy for various types of physical ailments, especially diabetes. Moreover, a morning walk is certainly a good start for the whole day’s work. During our walk in the morning, we come into greater and closer contact with nature. A morning walk is advantageous as an independent exercise. If anyone wants to ensure proper care of his or her health, he or she can undertake a morning walk as it is very simple as well as beneficial.

Short Essay Writing #17

Short essay writing on science (250 words).

Science is a great boon to human civilization. All signs of Progress in civilization have been made possible by science. Science has made our life easy and comfortable. It has given us electric fans, and lights. fans cool us, lights remove darkness. Lift, washing machine, etc. save our labour. Car, train, bus, and aircraft have made our travel speedy and comfortable. The computer has taken the excess load off our brains. Science has given us life-saving medicine. Surgery can do something miraculous. Space flight is another wonder of science.

Thus through the gifts of science, the man who had once lived in the cave has now landed on the science of the moon is a blessing to us. But it is a curse at the same time. Science has given us speed but has taken away our emotions. It has made our machine. The introduction of the mobile phone has destroyed the art of letter writing. Science has made war more dreadful by inventing sophisticated weapons. Peace has become scarce. Yet there are some abuses of science. It has given us the frightful nuclear weapons that can destroy the whole world.

But who is responsible for making Science a curse? Certainly, it is the evil intention of a few scientists and malignant politicians. We can use fire for cooking our food or burning other’s houses. It is not the fault of fire, but of its users. Likewise, man is responsible for the uses and abuses of science. But science cannot be blamed for this.

Short Essay Writing #18

Short essay writing on noise pollution (250+ words).

Any unwanted loud sound which causes stress and irritation can be termed noise pollution. Of late, sound or noise pollution has adversely affected our normal life in a major way. It is chasing us at almost every step. In schools, colleges, offices, and even hospitals we have an explosion of deafening sound. The main sources of noise pollution are Means of transport, the Use of loudspeakers, the Industrial sector, and the Celebration of festivals and wedding ceremonies. We are almost deafened by the blaring mikes or the record players which are often played at full volume.

Secondly, we have noise pollution caused by various groups of people shouting out their slogans or impatient automobiles always honking their horns. During some social and religious festivals, crackers are burst indiscriminately. Noise pollution can have serious effects on human health. It may cause impairment of hearing and can cause sleep disruption. People who are frequently subjected to a high level of noise pollution may suffer from hypertension, depression, and panic attacks. It may lead to an abnormal increase in heartbeat and heart palpitation. It can also cause migraine headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

Some Measures to Minimise Noise Pollution are Prohibiting the blowing of horns, The use of loudspeakers should be banned, Airports should be located away from residential areas, and People should restrain themselves from lighting firecrackers. In recent times laws have been passed to take effective steps to control sound pollution. People must also be made aware of the dangers of noise pollution.

Short Essay Writing #19

Short essay writing on television (250+ words).

Television is one of the many wonders of modern science and technology. It was invented in England by the Scottish scientist J.N. Baird in 1928 and the British Broadcasting Corporation was the first to broadcast television images in 1929. Previously the radio helped us hear things from far and near and spread information and knowledge from one corner of the globe to another. But all this was done through sound only. But television combined visual images with sound.

Today we can watch games, shows, and song and dance programs from all corners of the world while sitting in our own homes. TV can be used for educating the masses, for bringing to us the latest pieces of information audio-visually, and can provide us with all kinds of entertainment even in colour.

But as in all things, too much televiewing may prove harmful. TV provides visual images but the televiewer has a limited choice of programs. He has to adjust himself to the scheduled programs of a particular television channel. But as for the book, a reader’s imagination plays a vital role. He can freely read a book which is a personal activity and it cannot be shared with others at the same time. In many cases, the habit of watching TV has an adverse effect on the study habits of the young. When we read books, we have to use our intelligence and imagination. But in most cases, TV watching is a passive thing. It may dull our imagination and intelligence.

Short Essay Writing #20

Short essay on newspaper (250+ words).

The Newspaper is the mirror of the world. Modern life cannot be imagined without newspapers. A newspaper is a regular source of important news from home and abroad. It represents the current and living history of the world. Newspapers are of various kinds dailies, weeklies, bi-weeklies, monthlies, etc. The main function of a daily paper is to publish news of general interest while the others mostly contain literary pieces and articles on important topics.

Nowadays every newspaper has some special sections dealing with politics, everyday problems, off-beat news, business, sports, editorial page, feature pages, etc. So, the newspaper is one of the most powerful organs for the dissemination of news and views among the public. It plays a very important role in educating people and guiding them along the right path. If it wants to it can fight social evil successfully. A newspaper can also do us much harm. Used wrongly it can create hatred and enmity between man and man, section and section, nation and nation.

Sometimes it publishes baseless reports or stories to create deliberately confusion in the minds of gullible people. A newspaper is as powerful as any potent weapon. It can be used for both good and evil. Much depends on the outlook and motive of the people who are at the helm of the paper. It shapes Public opinion. It can mislead people with false and fabricated news. The newspaper should give impartial and correct pieces of information. It must not feed false news.

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