exambased

Exambased is an adjective used to describe systems, policies, or approaches that rely primarily on examinations as the main means of evaluation. The term highlights the central role of formal tests in determining outcomes such as grades, progression, or credentials and is often contrasted with continuous or portfolio-based assessment.

In education, exambased assessment typically features standardized formats, high-stakes testing, and defined testing windows. Examinations may be written, oral, practical, or computer-based, and may be weighted more heavily than other components.

Advantages include objectivity, scalability, and clear credentialing, while criticisms focus on narrow measurement of learning, teaching to the test, test anxiety, and unequal access to preparation. Critics argue exambased systems may overlook process skills and collaborative abilities.

Examples and contexts include secondary education examinations such as GCSEs and A-levels in the United Kingdom, national boards in various countries, professional licensure exams, and standardized admissions tests like the SAT or ACT, as well as international examinations such as the International Baccalaureate.

Trends in policy often seek a balance, preserving essential exam-based assessment while incorporating formative feedback, portfolios, or performance tasks to capture a broader range of competencies.