Examination writing season

Tshwarelo Hosia | Monday October 12, 2026 14:59

Safeguarding the integrity of the examinations is non negotiable. The one simple and unadorned message to all schools is that the rules of the game should be followed to the letter. To this end, every effort should be made by all parties involved to ensure that all the examination processes and protocols are meticulously and professionally managed.

While examinations should be respected and treated with a high degree of seriousness students should, however, remain calm and composed. The object of examinations is not to cause panic and fear or expose weaknesses of candidates. Examinations are students friendly in nature and were never designed to be much of a surprise. They are anchored in the main on familiar and known terrain, testing and seeking feedback on the road the students traversed not once but many times during the course of their programme of study.

Studying the aim of the syllabi and past examinations help students to get examination ready. Past examination papers give students both a foretaste of what is coming and practical experience. Greeting examinations with a positive mind of “we can overcome this hurdle” would do our students a world of good.

Founded on the spirit of building rather than sabotaging students, examinations offer students an opportunity to showcase their strengths. Therefore, if permitted to reign supreme, a spirit of positivity gives students a psychological boost, emboldening them to unleash their best selves even when confronted with one or two unfamiliar territories.

Preparation is the key to success. There is no known substitute to hard work and discipline. Some students would have prepared well in advance while others would have left it a little too late. That is the nature of the business . Still there should be no anxiety. Switching to a panic is tantamount to self sabotage. Last minute reading and relentless self application would always salvage something.

No amount of effort put will be in vain. Every effort has a reward. While there are no hard and fast principles governing preparation, it is worthwhile, nonetheless, to walk students through some of the principles considered universally applicable.

Preparation in the last hour is essentially meant to consolidate gains made rather than attempting to cover new unfamiliar territory especially at the very last minute.

There is always a clash between depth and breath. Even during teaching period the clash between depth and breadth is ever present. The temptation to rush things and complete the syllabus versus digging deeper to consolidate understanding and mastery of topics. The principle of covering more depth rather than distance is paramount in improving prospects of success.

It should be noted that the intention is not to be pontifical about how students should handle their examinations. To their credit students have their own tried and tested approaches which have worked for them. And they should continue with what they know to be potent and working. It is no self sabotage to attempt to beef up gains made by seeking to cover additional geographical territory.

However, overdoing it can amount to academic suicide. My own personal experience would probably be helpful. I remember one particular subject where I knew I stood no chance of succeeding. I then took the risk of diverting resources and energies to subject areas where I enjoyed comparative advantage.

Tactically, I made a calculated and deliberate decision to give priority to depth over breadth. There is always a temptation for one to seek to expand to cover a wide geographical distance - more and more topics as opposed to concentrating on consolidating gains. In simple terms emphasis on depth is much more helpful than seeking acquisition of new knowledge.

Working quietly and independently is another strategy that builds self confidence and readiness to navigate the terrain without external assistance. It reminds one that you will be alone in the examination room.

However, working as a collective can go a long way to address blindspots one was not aware of it when working in silos.

Concepts are better retained and understood when explained by peers in a relaxed and cheerful environment. One can be overwhelmed by the examination fever when trying to go it alone. Without necessarily watering down independent study, it is advisable to work as a group inorder to maximise the power of collective wisdom.

The last principle is that of rest. Students should avoid over working themselves in the last minute which might lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue . Having enough sleep ensures students enter the examinations with fresh minds and vitality. Entering the examination room with rested minds would assist in retrieving faster stored materials. A fatigued mind may not be so agile and responsive.

Lastly, it is important for parents to provide moral and material support to their children facing examinations. Parents should remain calm and composed and avoid exerting new pressures and lofty expectations on their children. Children need an assuring voice from their parents.

It is not time to question the attitude of children towards examinations or life in general. It is time to renew faith in their abilities and fill them with positive vibes. When encouraged and sufficiently motivated by their parents students will endeavour to be their best ambassadors. They would go into the examination room to make their parents proud and to protect the identity and reputation of the family name. This is the stuff that overcomes the examination hurdles. Above all parents should remember that no obstacle can withstand faith. All parents should pray for their children without ceasing.

I still remember my parents’ prayers when one was facing hurdles such as examinations. No mountain is insurmountable whenever divine inspiration is present. May God help all our children to prevail.