Testing Creative Writing in Pakistan

Book excerpt: This book investigates the impact of creative writing tests on classroom practice in Pakistan. All National Education Policies in Pakistan since 1959 have expressed grave concern at the deteriorating standard of Board Examinations but no significant steps have been taken to improve the examination system. The method of assessment in the Pakistani classroom is influenced by the Board Examinations, with the students memorising the essays and stories from their textbooks and reproducing them. The Board Examination tends to produce negative washback as it damages learners’ creative talents. Appropriate changes in the textbooks and the external examination, however, will, in turn, definitely improve the teaching and assessment practices in the classroom.