Do We Really Need Tests? How Assessment Fuels Learning, Not Harm

Are tests the problem, or are parental attitudes making them worse? When students hear the word "test," it often brings feelings of anxiety, pressure, or the need to “perform.” Many students dread them, and many parents worry about what the results say about their child’s ability.

But the truth is, tests themselves are not the problem — it’s how we perceive and use them that matters.

What if we started viewing tests not as final judgments, but as checkpoints on the road to learning? When approached the right way, tests can be powerful tools for growth, self-awareness, and support.

1) Myth: Tests Are Meant to Stress Students

A widely held misconception is that tests are meant to intimidate students — as though their main purpose is to trip them up or expose their weaknesses. A well-structured assessment gives students a checkpoint in their learning.

It answers the question:

“Where am I now in my understanding?”

Instead of seeing a test as something to fear, we should begin to see it as a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and adjust.

2) Reality: Tests Are Checkpoints for Learning

Think of a test as a map marker — a moment to stop and check your location before moving forward.

A test helps:

• Identify what a student understands

• Reveal areas that still need practice

• Highlight misconceptions that may go unnoticed otherwise

3) Feedback, Not Failure

A test result shouldn’t be seen as a final judgment. Whether the result is high or low, what matters more is what happens after. Every test offers a form of feedback — and feedback is what drives improvement.

• A lower score isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a sign that more support or practice is needed.

• A high score isn’t just about celebration — it also tells us where confidence and mastery have been achieved.

When parents and students view test results as information, not identity, the pressure starts to lift.

Tests don’t define a child — they guide them.

This is essential information for learning. Without it, students (and even parents) may continue down the wrong path without knowing it. Far from being harmful, tests give us direction.

4) For Parents: How Tests Can Be a Support Tool

Parents often wonder how they can best support their child’s learning. The answer is: start with what the test reveals.

A test shows:

• Which topics your child has grasped well

• Where your child may be struggling

• How learning has changed over time

With this insight, you can better understand how to help at home — whether it’s revisiting a specific topic, reinforcing good habits, or simply encouraging your child’s effort.

5) The Testing Effect: A Learning Booster!

Interestingly, research shows that testing itself — especially low-stakes or practice tests — can improve long-term retention. This is known as the testing effect.

When students retrieve information during a test, it strengthens their memory and understanding far more than just re-reading notes. In other words, testing isn’t just a way to measure learning. It can actually enhance it.

Shifting the Mindset in Singapore’s Education Landscape

In Singapore, testing is often seen as high-stakes — from class tests to national exams like the PSLE, O-Levels and A-Levels. But it’s time we rethink how we view assessments, not as a source of fear, but as a tool for clarity and growth.

Let’s shift our mindset:

• From kiasu pressure ➝ to purposeful progress

• From fear of failure ➝ to feedback for improvement

• From chasing marks ➝ to mastering understanding

When students and parents recognise that testing isn’t just about results but about recognising where a child stands, it becomes a supportive checkpoint, not a threat. In a system that values rigour, using tests wisely can reduce stress and increase confidence.

With real classroom experiences and candid insights, this episode dives into the heart of Singapore’s test-centric culture — and what might need to change.

Lead English Teacher Naga and Founder of Hess Academy, Terence, unpack common myths about testing and share how assessments — when used right — can support learning, guide meaningful progress, and reduce anxiety for both students and parents.

🎥 Watch our full podcast episode: “Helping or Hurting? The Role of Tests in Schools”