Exams and tests are formal assessments measuring students' knowledge, understanding, and skills in academic subjects. These range from brief quizzes to comprehensive final examinations. Assessment formats include multiple choice, short answer, essay questions, practical demonstrations, and oral examinations. Tests serve multiple purposes: evaluating individual student learning, informing instruction by identifying areas needing more attention, and providing grades for academic records. Standardized provincial assessments (like Ontario's EQAO tests or Alberta's Provincial Achievement Tests) measure student performance against curriculum standards and enable school and system comparisons. Debates about testing centre on how much assessment is appropriate, whether standardized tests narrow curriculum focus, and how to balance testing with other forms of evaluation like projects and portfolios. Test anxiety affects many students, and schools increasingly teach stress management strategies.