MINI-PROJECT A NEW EXAMINATION SYSTEM IN RUSSIA Done by Maria Gordina

THE REASON OF INTRODUCING A NEW EXAMINATION SYSTEM It is no secret that the existing examination system in Russia is considered to be very unfair and strict. It is called Final State Exams that students take at the end of the 11 th grade. However, some people think that this system doesnt give a full appraisal to the true knowledge of school-leavers. That is why, I strongly believe that this system should be replaced to a new one. I would introduce the exam which will be taken in several steps.

THE EXAMINATION HALL The examination hall must be large and wide with tall ceilings. The windows should be far from the desks so as students cannot use the window sills as the place to keep their cheat sheets. The desks should be put two metres in width and length from each other. Thus, the students will not be able to chat and exchange ideas about the exam. The hall must be furnished with video cameras and a supervisor must stand at every desk during the whole examination in case there is a technical problem.

THE PARTS OF THE EXAM The first part – the written part should be taken on a separate day. If it is passed successfully, the students proceed to the second part which is oral one. The students answer the examiners questions on the subject taken. The examiner can ask any questions to get a clear image of the true knowledge of students. If the written part is failed, then students have to pass it again. All in all students have three chances to pass the written part.

THE PARTS OF THE EXAM If the oral part is failed, the students cannot repass it. It means that they will only be able to take it next time. The third and final part should be taken if students successfully pass the two first parts. The third part would be a short presentation about individual achievements of the student during his/her school life, - all the participations in extra curricular work, prizes in the olympiads, all kinds of certificates as well as certain skills and experience of the examinee. This presentation can give additional points to the total scores obtained in both parts.

The new system must be as fair as possible both for students and teachers. Of course, it can cause some stress in students, as the exam in three steps is rather hard and takes time, but it can help to have exams in a full way and reveal all the hidden abilities of students.

HOW TO MAKE IT STUDENT FRIENDLY To make it friendly for students and teachers, the atmosphere should be relaxing and thought-provoking. The exam observers should be polite and smile more often to make exam atmosphere less tensed. The exam hall environment should be pleasant and favouring. It is achieved through some details in the interior. For example, some flowers can be put on the desks or paper slogans Good luck with your exams! can be made too.

ITS RELIABILITY AND ITS FAIRNESS This system would be very reliable and fair as it can check all the possibilities of the students and help them to express themselves in the best way and show their knowledge and desire to try to pass the exams.

SOME MORE POINTS… This system is universal for secondary schools and institutions of higher education as the process of taking exams is the same no matter if you pass them at school or at the university. And the system approaches multi-levels because this system implies three consequent stages. I believe the teachers will find it easy to assess the examinations according to this system because it is a fair way, when students do not have possibilities to cheat or chat during the exams. They can only rely on themselves.