ORAL EXAMINATION

ORAL EXAMINATIONWhen there is a limitation for written

examinations to evaluate the student, the oral examinations are used. A particular topic is given for preparation and as per plan, it is conducted.

MERITS•Valuable tool for diagnosis of pupils’

difficulties.•It is used in determining how well he can

integrate the knowledge and can apply in different situations.

•Performances such as oral expression, pronunciation and performance in debate can be evaluated only in the oral exams.

•It boosts the confidence of the children.

MERITS•It permits free responses from student.•Best for those who are not master in

reading and writing.•The pupil can ask for any clarification.•Spot evaluation is done.•Teacher also gives the feedback.

LIMITATION•It provides for a very limited sampling of

the content of a course.•Low reliability because sample may be

inadequate.•It may be relative and subjective.•1.it is affected by minor changes in the

psychological and physical states of the teacher or students.

•2.permits favoritism by the teachers.

LIMITATIONS•It cannot have permanent objective

record and item analysis is difficult.•Very costly and time consuming.•Different students may have different

difficulty level of questions.•It does not provide complete ability of a

student to representer.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING AN ORAL TEST •Firstly decide the objectives and the

content area.•Objectives, which are not evaluated by a

written test should be evaluated by an oral test.

•Plan for questions to be used and also for acceptable answers.

•Questions of equal difficulty level should be asked to the students.