the exam

one of the secrets of my success as a universty student was to take courses that were based exclusively on the results of essays rather than exams. i learned in high school that tests and i were not a good combination. "good" being a synonym for "allowing for the remotest possibility of passing." essays - well, they allowed for thoughtful, reflective, considered thought that was more crafted than the exams which were much more reactive and descriptive of my ability to respond under stress.

this clip from a "mr. bean" show accurately captures some of the more ridiculous features of the exam hall and the details (and effects) of rigorously scrutinized exams . . .