Page 255 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Unit 21 : Semester System vs Annual System

• The semester system has its own limitations and demerits : Notes
(i) The semester system can only be used in the field of higher education where the number
of students is limited. This system cannot be used at primary and secondary levels.
(ii) It is a difficult proposition to determine curriculum of each semester and administer
examinations at the end of each semester.
• Comparison between semester and annual systems is very often done. Both the systems
have its merits and demerits. Annual system is the traditional system. Annual system covers
more syllabuses at a stretch and compels the student to remember all this till the end of the
year. Sometimes, two or more topics will be included in the same paper (very often, a paper
will have to be set by two examiners under such situations), when specializations are there.
Otherwise, certain topics will be omitted and the syllabus diluted. Since at the end of the
year only the public examinations are conducted University gets enough time to prepare
question papers and value answer papers. Number of examiners and examinations also can
be reduced.
• In semester system, the students get more advantage; since examinations are held within
months (what is studied will remain afresh in their brain). The syllabus load also will be
less. Different topics need not be combined in the same paper. Students get more chances to
improve also.
• Since examinations come within a few months student unrest also will be less in a semester
system. There were many challenges to be faced by the under graduate colleges in preparing
the students for the semester system. The semester system is a very proactive system as it
engages both the faculty and the students throughout the year in academic activity.

21.10 Keywords
Annual : happening or done once every year.
Semester : One ofthe two periods that the school or college year is divided
Continuous : happening or existing for a period of time

21.11 Review Questions
1. Explain the term annual and semester system of examination.
2. What is the difference between annual and semester system of examination.
3. Give merits and demerits of semester system.

Answers : Self Assessment
1. (i) annual (ii) syllabus (iii) semester (iv) continuously
(v) interaction

21.12 Further Readings

1. Education Measurement and Evaluation : J.Swarupa Rani, Discovery Publishing
house.
2. Measurement and Evaluation in Teaching : Norman Edward Gronlund Macmillian
3. Measurement and Assessment in Teaching : Robert L. Linn Pearson Education
India.
4. Program Evaluation and performance measurement : James C. Me. David, Laura
R.L. Hawthorn, Sage Publications.

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