Total votes
5-11 votes
11-16+ votes
Tests and examinations are frequently identified as one of the major stressors in the lives of children and young people. According to Young Minds’ “Missing the Mark” report, 63% of 15-18-year-olds said they struggled to cope in the lead up to and during GCSE and A Level exams and 35% of KS2 students said that SATs made them feel ill. Advocates of standardised tests argue that they are the only truly fair assessment method, avoiding the issue of teacher bias. However, critics say that they take a significant mental toll on young people, one that outweighs the educational benefit. To mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness week, running from 11-17th May, we wanted to find out how young people felt about tests in their own words. Do they see them as an educational tool, a necessary evil, an emotional burden, or as something else entirely?
53,623 young poeple voted on this topic, with many more participating in discussions. They were asked the following questions:
5-7: "Do tests change how you feel?"
Primary 7-11, Secondary, 16+ & College: "Do tests affect your mental health?"
Yes they do affect my mental health because I want my mum to be proud of me.
It affects mental health as there is a huge pressure on doing well and how much of an impact it has in future life.
It is just a method to check your knowledge, it is short-term and won’t affect my whole future.
