Poikkeusluvissa

Poikkeusluvissa refers to a concept in Finnish education, specifically in relation to mathematics and exact sciences. The term "poikkeusluku" translates to "exception number" in English, but its meaning is more nuanced.

In the Finnish education system, exception numbers are assigned to students who perform exceptionally well in their studies. However, the context of exception numbers in mathematics and exact sciences is specific. It refers to a penalty system for Finnish students studying in these subjects. The system, which was introduced in the 20th century, aims to encourage students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by penalizing them for incorrect answers.

The exception number system works as follows: students are awarded extra points for correct answers, but a penalty is incurred for incorrect answers. The penalty is calculated based on an indexed number of exceptions, which is represented as a specific number of points. This system is meant to incentivize students to think more critically and strategically about mathematical problems.

The use of exception numbers has been the subject of debate in the Finnish education community, with some arguing that it promotes a " risk-averse" approach to problem-solving, where students are more likely to abstain from answering a question altogether rather than risk losing points for an incorrect answer. Despite this, the exception number system remains an integral part of the Finnish education system in mathematics and exact sciences.