Pupils take an exam at The Institute of Applied Technology in Al Qusais, Dubai. For some, the examination process can be extremely stressful, and schools and family are urged to help. Jaime Puebla / The National
Pupils take an exam at The Institute of Applied Technology in Al Qusais, Dubai. For some, the examination process can be extremely stressful, and schools and family are urged to help. Jaime Puebla / TShow more

Warning over exam pressures as UAE students await results



DUBAI // Cultural, family and societal pressures to earn high grades can lead some children to feel shame or anxiety and lose self-esteem if those standards are not met, experts warn.

With hundreds of pupils nationwide set to learn their A-Level results next week and GCSEs the week after, experts said parents and schools could do more to support children facing pressure during exam periods.

Nayla Daou, clinical psychologist and founder of Clear Minds Centre for Emotional Health in Dubai, said schools and parents must be more aware of the stress on children.

“Obviously it depends on an individual child, and some are more able to deal with exam stress than others. It also depends on what type of testing the school is doing,” she said.

A pupil with emotional issues may be more susceptible to exam stress, she said. Cultural aspects could also play a role in families’ pressure on children.

The effects of exam stress could manifest in different ways, such as anxiety or eating disorders.

“It completely depends on the child and some may become more withdrawn and give up, and others might put more pressure on themselves,” Ms Daou said.

UAE pupils face regular testing at the end of the term or school year for their particular curriculum, and various age groups take international benchmarking tests such as the Programme for International Student Assessment and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, every three and four years, respectively.

Rema Menon, founder of Counselling Point in Dubai, said children were confronted with exam pressures from parents and schools, and as part of wider societal expectations.

“The academic expectation can be from trying to get places into high-level institutions such as Ivy League colleges, which demand a very good exam results,” Ms Menon said.

“Some schools tell their pupils that they must get high grades in tests as their future depends on it, because the school itself is judged on how good their exam results were.

“In the UAE there is a trend of placing adverts in newspapers with the students who have got the highest grades. Parents of other children see those as do other pupils and, although it’s good for those featured, it can place more pressure on students to be successful.”

Pupils who do not meet these expectations can feel a sense of shame and dejection, and lose self-esteem, she said.

“Schools, parents and society in general should tell children that exam results are not the be-all, end-all of life, and there are opportunities even if they do not get the grades to go to their first-choice university.”

Ms Menon advised pupils going through a difficult period to take stock of their situation.

“They need to see whether the stress is academically based or due to something else,” she said. “Is their time management balanced? Are they spending too much time on one subject and neglecting others or have they taken on a course that is too challenging for them?”

Brendon Fulton, principal at Dubai British School, said exam pressure was a huge factor for most teenagers but that the school tried to mitigate the difficulties.

Assessment during terms gradually introduce the formal exam process during non-exam years, and the exam office provides extra support to children “at risk” of being burdened by exam pressure.

There were targeted study and exam skills lessons during school aimed to ensure pupils were equipped with coping and self-management techniques, he said.

“However, some students may still find the process overwhelming. Therefore, during the exam process we conduct regular reviews and reflections to determine whether any students are struggling with the pressure, and we put in place any measures necessary to support them.

“This is normally done jointly with the family.”

nhanif@thenational.ae

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

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The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
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Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Sri Lanka squad

Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana, Roshen Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Charith Asalanka, Shaminda Eranga and Dhammika Prasad.

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

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The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final