Crammer

Crammer

A crammer is an educational institution or a specialized course designed to prepare students intensively for examinations. These institutions or courses are often short-term and focus on helping students achieve high scores in specific exams, such as entrance exams for universities, standardized tests, or professional certification exams.

History

The concept of cramming has been around for centuries, with early examples found in ancient China where students prepared for the imperial examinations. In the modern era, crammers became more prominent in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in countries like the United Kingdom and Japan, where competitive entrance exams are a significant part of the education system.

Types of Crammers

Crammers can be categorized based on the type of exams they prepare students for:

• University Entrance Crammers: These focus on preparing students for university entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT, or A-levels.
• Professional Certification Crammers: These help individuals prepare for professional exams like the bar exam, medical licensing exams, or accounting certifications.
• Standardized Test Crammers: These specialize in preparing students for standardized tests like the GRE, GMAT, or TOEFL.

Teaching Methods

Crammers employ various teaching methods to maximize student performance in a short period. These methods include:

• Intensive Review Sessions: Focused sessions that cover a large amount of material in a short time.
• Practice Exams: Simulated exams to familiarize students with the format and timing of the actual test.
• Study Guides and Materials: Comprehensive materials that summarize key concepts and provide practice questions.
• One-on-One Tutoring: Personalized instruction to address individual student needs.

Criticism

Crammers have faced criticism for several reasons:

• Stress and Burnout: The intensive nature of cramming can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among students.
• Superficial Learning: Critics argue that cramming promotes rote memorization rather than deep understanding of the material.
• Inequality: Access to crammers can be expensive, leading to disparities in educational opportunities based on socioeconomic status.

Related Pages

• Education
• Standardized test
• University entrance exam
• Professional certification
• Tutoring

See Also

• Test preparation
• Study skills
• Educational institution