Written Exams - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

'I am opposed to the system of written examinations which is prevalent in the educational institutes. Great strain and stress are imposed on students by this system. The purpose on examinations is to ascertain the ability of the student. It will therefore, suffice to ascertain whether the student has understood the kitab which he has been taught. 

This fact can be ascertained even if the student is tested orally and the kitab is given to him to look at. Memorizing can be accomplished by revision and teaching. In fact, in most cases, the student forgets what he had memorized during his student days. Such futile memorizing  strains the mind unnecessarily. 

It is sufficient to ascertain if the student possesses the ability to solve the problems in the kitabs by means of his own research. More than this is an exercise in futility.'

Posted as promised for a friend in an exam.