Precis practice: Education and assessment

Read the following original passage and write a précis of approximately one-third of its length. Supply a suitable title.

Examinations can motivate study and provide a common measure, but they can also narrow teaching when success depends on memorising predictable answers. Assessment becomes educationally valuable when it tests understanding, application, communication, and the ability to learn from feedback. A balanced system uses several forms of evidence, including written work, practical tasks, projects, and carefully designed tests. Reform must also consider fairness: an assessment that assumes resources unavailable to many students may measure privilege more than ability. The purpose of assessment should be to support trustworthy decisions and better learning, not merely to produce ranks.