As a society we put great premium on examinations. These, we believe, are an accurate reflection of one’s intelligence and skills.

It is a fact that our system of education is examination-based. As such, school grades and university degrees are the most important judge of our ‘being the most educated’.

It is a topic of heated debate whether exams should have the authority to determine such a large degree of our success, or as an extension, our worth.

The extent of parents’ expectations is also questionable. Why do grades matter so much for them? Only so that they (the parents) can flaunt these at the weddings and/or get-togethers, among their relatives and family friends?

I personally believe that we have started to digress from the main purpose of exams which is to learn and benefit from the knowledge you acquire at, for instance, school/university. But if your only incentive is to match up to the socially acceptable standards (of grades), or to ‘blend in’ with the ‘It’ crowd that cheers at every mention of the Ivy League, then your effort is totally misplaced.

Sadly, our folks stress too much on the importance of getting good grades. No one tells you that you may be a high scorer and still lack some of the most important life skills. No one tells you to prepare for exams as well as develop yourself as an individual.

These days, it is impossible for an individual student to avoid being dragged into the debate of grades: Straight A’s and A*s in A Levels. Only because this is what every one around you is aiming for?

The desire to achieve the required grade is often not enough, but it satisfies your family expectations all right. Besides, the difficult nature of exams and the enormous syllabus put the students under huge pressure. Just to be able to sit for the exam requires a great deal of self-discipline.

We know how the rate of suicide attempts among students cracking under the pressure has increased over time. The students are also known to experience panic/anxiety attacks and often go into depression.

It is important that parents and families as well as your teachers realise the extent of the pressure they put on you. They should come forward and advocate a healthier system of rewards, which not only values success but also the effort and will to learn.