In the United Kingdom, an unseen examination is an essay test in school or college, where the student does not know what questions are going to be asked in advance.[1][2] The student is required to answer questions based upon what they have learned over the course of their academic study.
In contrast, in a seen examination the questions have been made available to the student prior to examination.[3][1]
The vast majority of UK undergraduate exams in all fields, such as law[4] and psychology,[1] are unseen examinations. Unseen examinations are favoured for their inherent protection against plagiarism,[5] and their potential to develop students' ability to handle pressure and time constraints.[6] However, they have been criticised for causing anxiety and stress in students,[5][7] for negatively impacting motivation and the depth of learning experiences,[8] and for unfairly favouring students who happen to be particularly skilled at unseen written exams as opposed to other assessment methods.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b c Heffernan, T.M. (2015). The Student's Guide to Studying Psychology. Taylor & Francis. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-317-90986-6. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Spencer, M.; Spencer, J. (2016). Concentrate Questions and Answers Evidence: Law Q&a Revision and Study Guide. Concentrate Law Questions and Answers Series. Oxford University Press. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-19-871579-5. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Traditional Timed 'Unseen'/'Seen' Exam". Office of Quality, Standards and Partnerships. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Webley, L. (2016). Legal Writing. Taylor & Francis. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-317-55499-8. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b Booth, A. (2013). Teaching History at University: Enhancing Learning and Understanding. Taylor & Francis. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-134-40540-4. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Bach, S.; Haynes, P.; Lewis Smith, J. (2006). Online Learning And Teaching In Higher Education. Online Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. McGraw-Hill Education. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-335-21829-5. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Bach, S.; Haynes, P.; Smith, J.L. (2006). Online Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. UK Higher Education OUP Humanities & Social Sciences Higher Education OUP. McGraw-Hill Education. p. 141. ISBN 978-0-335-22948-2. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b Brown, S.; Glasner, A. (1999). Assessment Matters in Higher Education. UK Higher Education OUP Humanities & Social Sciences Higher Education OUP. McGraw-Hill Education. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-335-23100-3. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
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