The use of examinations as an objective measure of selection was discussed at length in “Education system reflects societal norms” (March 14).

The observations on systems where exams were removed indicate that standards then dropped.

Yes, our children must be trained in literacy and numeracy, and while all these point to the need to have exams, more can be done to examine our system of testing. The Primary School Leaving Examination must differ from the system of testing A-level pupils.

When pupils move on to acquiring more analytical thinking, we must test not only for the ability to remember what is written in the books, but also for skills in looking for information.

Our system must also accommodate technological advances. For example, when I was in primary school some 40 years ago, I did not have a handheld computer speedier than my brain. Basically, we must now move away from closed-book tests.

Technology cannot replace literary skills, though. Here, exams must be designed to test the relative abilities of pupils’ expressive powers.

The Education Ministry should do more studies on the different ways our pupils could be tested, and look for solutions to reduce exam stress caused by having to memorise information.