Why Do We Need Exams?

Currently, almost all students in Indonesia are undergoing their Final School Exams. According to the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI), an exam is defined as something used to test the quality of something (knowledge, ability, academic achievement, etc.). From the definition above, it can be seen that the purpose of holding exams is to assess what students have learned and to determine whether the material has been truly understood.

However, at UPH College, exams are not merely designed to test students' cognitive abilities. Students are expected to reflect on what they have learned in class through analytical questions and to demonstrate their development in logical thinking in accordance with the depth of the material provided.

We may think that if there were no exams in life, everything would feel easy, relaxed, and enjoyable. But have we ever considered that throughout our lives, we will inevitably face various tests? Imagine if life had no tests—it would simply stay the same, with no motivation to grow or improve. That is why exams at UPH College are not only meant to assess students academically but also to prepare them with life skills, so they are ready to navigate life’s journey. Exams are a form of accountability—towards God, towards parents, and towards oneself—for the learning process that has taken place over a certain period of time.

This aligns with the parable in Matthew 25:14-30. The first servant was given five talents and returned with five more. The second was given two talents and returned with two more. However, the last servant, who was given one talent, chose to hide it in the ground and gained nothing. In the end, his one talent was given to the one who had ten. In the context of the parable, “talent” refers to gold.

From this parable, we can learn a few key lessons:First, God entrusts talents to each of us differently. When the master left, he did not know what the servants would do with the talents—thus, the servants had the choice to be honest and responsible, or dishonest and irresponsible.Another important aspect is diligence. The first and second servants worked diligently to grow the talents entrusted to them and produced results. In contrast, the third servant was lazy and chose not to develop what he was given.

Honesty, diligence, and responsibility are essential values that must be nurtured in life. Especially as students, we must begin to practice these values in simple things—starting with how we approach exams. How can we be faithful in greater matters if we cannot be faithful in the small ones?

Matthew 25:14-30

25:14 “For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 25:16 The man who had received five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 25:17 So also, the one with two talents gained two more. 25:18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 25:19 After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 25:20 The man who had received five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 25:21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 25:22 The man with two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 25:23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 25:24 Then the man who had received one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25:25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 25:26 His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 25:27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest. 25:28 So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 25:29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 25:30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

GOOD LUCK TO ALL UPH COLLEGE STUDENTS IN GRADES 10, 11, AND 12 AS YOU TAKE YOUR FINAL EXAMS.God Leads! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!